Bedtime for two -- so much for resting

The other night I had the luxury of not only playing outside on the newly revamped play structure with Tobey, but we saw our across the street neighbors and I finally got to chat with them (i.e., see people!) and Tobey got to play with Joshua a little. However, in doing both, I not only just left the baby with my mom rather unannounced and unexpectedly, but I also was outside in the cool evening air (but with a sweater and pants!), a one-month confinement no-no. Later, Tom told me how my dad (there he goes again!) was criticizing American medicine for being to quick to "recover" after major events like birth. My guess is that my mom stood in unapproving silence at my being outside.

So for as much as they are wanting me to rest more, I found it odd that when it was time for Tom to take my dad to the airport for his redeye flight, my mom went also so that she could visit Grandma for a little bit while Tom makes the roundtrip to the airport. That basically left me at bedtime with two kids by myself. While I have appreciated their not nagging me 24 hrs. a day to rest, what gives? If they really wanted me to take it easy, why leave me alone with two bedtime routines to do myself?

It ended up being doable, mainly because Tobey's routine is so straightforward. It did end up that Eli was waking up and starting to fuss a little but I held Eli the whole time through Tobey's routine (warming up milk, reading bedtime stories with one arm). The only awkward part was how to hoist Tobey up into his crib with one arm? I had to put Eli on the floor and put Tobey in. By the way, Tobey has somehow magically gained 10 lbs. ever since I started holding 8 lb. Eli so much more. :-)

Well, I survived bedtime alone and have now done one or two mornings juggling two kids too. I wonder what will happen when Eli doesn't sleep so much because that seems to be what is saving me right now when I'm alone with two.