Today, and for the next 7 weeks, I am babysitting my friend's 8 month old baby. The day I told her I'd do it, I was thinking it would be fun for Trey to have another baby a month younger than him to be around. I was thinking it will improve their social skills and will keep them occupied most of the time. Well I was right about those things. But due to my nature as it is, I only think about the good things. I don't usually think about the bad things that could happen. It is not so bad really. I knew I was expecting the worse in the back of my mind but I thought to myself, "how hard can it be?" It will probably be like having twins plus a dog.
Today started out great. I got Xander (my friend's baby) to nap for a half hour without Trey disturbing him. I also get Trey to nap for an hour without Xander disturbing him. They played together which was the highlight of the day. They were having fun until the things that I knew might happen, of course, did happen. Trey would get jealous whenever I put Xander on my lap to feed him and would climb up to me and want to sit on my lap too. Being curious and use to rough housing with his big brother and the dog, Trey would poke Xander's face. Xander in turn (being shy because he is new to his environment) would just sit there and take it. Then the afternoon came when Xander just woke up from his nap and was hungry at the same time Trey was just getting fussy and sleepy. Trey, of course, can't take a nap without being rocked in the rocker (the result of his father's spoiling). So I found myself with 2 crying babies at the same time; one hungry and wide awake, the other sleepy and tired. What to do?! How did I get myself into this?? This is my first time. Is there a manual out there on how to do it? This is the time when I need an octupus hand or some magic powers like those super moms or superheroes.
My first thought was to feed Xander first and put Trey to sleep afterwards. But it didn't work out. Xander wouldn't drink the bottle I gave him and Trey wouldn't let go holding onto me so tightly. So I gave up and just rocked them both in the rocker. Trey on my right arm already halfway asleep and Xander on my left trying to climb up out of the rocker. Eventually I had to stand to feed Xander which, of course, woke Trey. But Xander seemed to be upset too. I think he was just looking for his Mommy. He wouldn't stop crying. His diaper was dry. He wouldn't drink his milk. Everytime one would cry, the other would cry louder. This is Xander's first time to be with me and to be away for long from his Mom. While rocking them again, trying to calm them down, I thought to myself how lucky I am to be able to stay at home with my baby for 5 days and only have to work part time for the 2 weekend nights. I wish I didn't have to work at all but I promised myself not to complain again about my situation.
Hopefully, the babies and I will survive the next 7 weeks.
Any super moms out there who can lend me some super powers?
