I’ve talked before about how difficult it can be to keep a schedule with young Jack on the scene. I’ve talked about how we now have to build in a buffer time between when we would normally leave and when we can actually leave.
Usually the Jack-delays i nvolve such things as surprise feedings, surprise diaper changes (surprise!), dressing or re-dressing, and loading into the carrier. Things always take a little longer than planned.
Then there is integrating Jack into my work schedule–or, more accurately, integrated my work schedule into whatever it is Jack calls his sense of timing.
Make no mistake, I’m not blaming Jack for anything. He’s a baby and understanding things like schedules or deadlines or even daddy’s need to get some sleep are beyond him.
When he’s awake, he’s awake. When he’s sleepy, he’s sleepy. When he’s hungry, he’s hungry. We should all be so lucky as to live like that.
I used to work early in the morning, like 3am, until around noon, then break for a good nap, and then get up for chores and maybe a bit more work. It jibed well with my clients, and has been time-tested.
Nowadays, I work from around 11 at night until four or five am. Feed Jack. Sleep with Jack on the couch for about an hour, then put him down on his own. I work some more which aligns me with my foreign-based clients, then a couple of hours later I feed Jack again and/or Jack and Margaret set up so I can go get a more proper sleep before getting up for chores and to, you know, see the family.
It works.
Until it doesn’t… like when Jack doesn’t go to sleep after his early morning feeding. Like this morning. Jack didn’t want to immediately pass out after sucking down a bottle.
Instead he was happy, smiling, playful, and wide, wide awake. There was no sleeping or putting him down for the next few hours. No catnap. No work being done. Instead it was dealing with a wide-awake Jack until it was time for another feeding, and only then did he go down for the count.
I was able to catch up on some e-mails and get in touch with a client. Another client I’m going to have to catch on the other end of their time zone. Projects are all still on schedule (lateness of this post notwithstanding), but my sleep is not. Right now Margaret is finishing up her morning routine and will take Jack for the day.
I will sleep.
I will get up and do some more work.
I will get some dishes done and pick up the kitchen a bit. Maybe the bathroom, too.
I might even get some laundry done and then tweak some image files for a film book and a film journal.
And maybe tonight we will get back to the expected routine and after Jack’s first feeding tomorrow morning, he’ll fall asleep as expected.
We plan, Jack laughs.
But it’s a really nice laugh, so I don’t mind.
I understand I’m parenting on easy mode right now. There will come the days and nights of the screaming, inconsolable teething child. There will be piercing screeches.
But that will be okay. I know it’s not personal and that it’s all worth it. And I can continue to be flexible.
Still, I will admit that there are times when the child is peacefully, blissfully asleep that I am sorely tempted to get up into his little cherubic face and start going “Waaahhh! Waah! Waaaahhh!”
But I’m the adult here, and I wouldn’t do that. Still… tempting, innit?
Cheers!
