I Am Growing Weary With the Single Parenting

Thank God the cavalry (read:  Ma and Pa) arrive tonight.  After four nights and five days alone with the little angel - and not EVEN alone, because I work outside the home all day - I am exhausted. 

9 p.m. - Little Angel's room

Little Angel:  "MORE MILK!"

Me:  "No.  Go to sleepy.  Here's Tad." (Press hand of singing frog.)

Little Angel:  "NO TAD!"

Finally, she falls asleep to the hum of her window A/C unit as I fight sleep myself.

2 a.m.

Little Angel:  "Mommy!  Mommy!  MOOOMMMMYYYY!!!!"

Me: (stumbling in)  "What's wrong?"

Little Angel:  "I'm scared."

Me:  "Of what?"

Little Angel:  "I don't know."

4 a.m.

Little Angel:  "MOOOOMMMMMYYYYYYY!"

Me:  "What is it?  It's not morning yet.  There are no birds.  Do you hear birds?  Look, it's dark outside!  Let's go back to Mommy's bed." (Fully realizing the mistake of suggesting this - FULLY REALIZING - NOT CARING.)

Little Angel:  "I wanna watch TV."

Me:  "What? Are you crazy?  Only night-shift workers are watching TV right now."

Little Angel:  "Watch Pilates."

Me:  "Oh, no you don't."

But I did give in to going downstairs, despite my refusal to sleep to the sound of television. We hit the couch. I'm beyond tired after giving into the Pilates begging at 5:30 on Monday night.  I had to stretch the alarm clock to the edge of my bedroom door to ensure I would still hear it from downstairs on the couch over the sound of Sybil purring and sticking her tail into my ear canal.

The little angel demanded a blanket, even though I'm maintaining my house (except for the blissful, window-unit-covered bedrooms) at a balmy 80 degrees these days to save money.  The only blanket available was down.  She's a sweater anyway, so I knew I was in for it.  Once we got the blankie, she shoved her little toes in between my knees and stuck her hair up my nose.  I tried to think loving, maternal thoughts.  Next she opened her big, blue eyes and tried one more time.

Little Angel:  "Mommy do Pilates?"

Me:  "No.  Mommy is going to get her exercise tomorrow by running away from Grandma and Grandpa."

She seemed content with that.  We finally fell asleep at 5:45.  Awesome.  I can't WAIT to see my husband.