There is always something to do.
When friends ask the big man what it’s like to be a Daddy, he answers in one all-encompassing word. “Intense”. He’s not wrong.
You look at your baby, and you think your heart may just explode with love. You see him giggle for the first time, or figure out how to shake a rattler, and you convince yourself and everyone else that he’s “a fast learner”. You watch him as, day by day, he gets one ‘step’ closer to a front crawl, and you dream of his days on the playing field. You hear him pass wind, and you burst with pride that he’s finally learned how to do it unassisted.
That’s the fuzzy stuff. The not so fuzzy stuff is an altogether different type of intensity. Preparing bottles, washing bottles, sterilising bottles, steaming vegetables, puréeing vegetables, mashing rusks, changing nappies, bathing baby, changing clothes, washing clothes, taking walks, encouraging naps, washing, cleaning, shopping, and increasingly this last month, entertaining.
There is ALWAYS something to do, and that’s before you think about taking your own shower in the morning.
I decided this week that I needed some ‘me’ time, some ‘headspace’, as I like to call it, and so on Friday evening, I bit farewell to my men and headed for my hometown of Kilkenny. My friend Nicola was throwing a house ‘gathering’ – a perfect way to catch up with my school friends, and enjoy a social beverage or two.
Unfortunately, having been awake and on the go since 4am, I suffered a timely attack of migraine and had to leave early, (although 11.30pm is late for me these days). I woke the next morning a relatively new woman after 8 hours sleep, and treated myself to a facial. I followed that up with some retail therapy, and travelled back to Dublin happy with my lot, and dying to see my family. That evening Daddy took himself to the RDS for his ‘me’ time with the Leinster Rugby Team, and it struck me that each of us, not for the first time, had taken our time out separately.
And so, I’ve decided upon a mid-year resolution. Yes I adore my son, and I will cherish every second that I have with him before my return to work, but there are other loves in my life, myself included.
When I was pregnant, I comforted my weary mind and body with massages, facials, reflexology, acupuncture, and even a Spa break. Now, as I attempt to keep a veritable whirlwind at bay in a two up-two down, I’m lucky if I have time to wash my hair in the morning.
From here on in, for everyone’s sake, Mammy will treat herself to regular ‘me’ time. Daddy will bring Mammy away for the weekend before her return to work, and while a fortnightly trip to the RDS is agreeable, away Heineken Cup trips will be discussed at a later date!
Great plans. This week though, I will mostly be clutching the Baby Nurofen, impatiently awaiting the appearance of a bottom tooth.
There is always something to do.
