I remember so vividly bringing Audrey home from the hospital.
She had arrived six weeks before her due date (June 26, 1978… 30 years ago today!), on May 23. She spent a couple of days in the intensive care nursery, then graduated to the convalescent nursery, and then on to the regular nursery.
Audrey’s journey home took 12 days, but I was sent home on day 8. As you can imagine, going home without my baby was just so difficult. My husband and I drove to the hospital for each feeding during those 4 long days… so her homecoming was such a celebration of health and happiness.
As I walked into my kitchen with my bundle of joy, I sat down to feed her in her home for the first time. But all I could focus on were the dust bunnies dancing (no, mocking me) under the kitchen sink. We had one of those big basin sinks with the exposed plumbing underneath… and the dust bunnies were multiplying as I stared.
I remember bursting into tears. Not joyful tears of having my Audrey home. Not postpartum tears. But tears of doesn’t-my-husband-know-that-I-have-been-so-overwhelmed-with-missing-my-baby-and-recovering-from-my-c-section-that-he-should-have-known-enough-to-annihilate-the-dust-bunnies?
I knew I could care for my beautiful baby. I knew I could recover my health.
But those dust bunnies? Thinking of swiping them clean just pushed me over the edge.
So… ahem. I have been spending a lot of time at Audrey’s home helping with her boys. The older two are just about perfect with the baby, but a baby is a baby and he needs to be watched at all times. Benjamin is only 14 months old, so he needs supervision with kissing and caring. And Audrey is recovering from a c-section… besides having a husband, a home, and 4 boys under 4!
This is a message to Daddy… and all daddies out there. Here are 4 things to remember about new babies:
1. load the dishwasher, often
2. clear the counters, often
3. toss a load of clothing into the washing machine and dryer… and FOLD it
4. attack the dust bunnies
These “new baby” necessities will be remembered for years. I am going out on a limb here… but these 4 things are probably more appreciated than rest, food and changing diaper duties.
Clean goes a long, long way, Daddies!
(a note to Mommies… have I left anything out!?)
I’m glad you mentioned FOLDING the laundry. My husband will gladly throw in a load…but I’m left to fold!
Great post!
It is even more memorable if they put the laundry away after folding it.
LOVE THIS POST!
- Audrey
YOU GO!!!
You’re one rockin’ grandma!
How about . . . bathe the kids AND brush their teeth without having to be asked. Take out the garbage before it’s overflowing. Go to the grocery store and buy HEALTHY food, not just processed cr*p. Write a few thank-you notes. Cook.
Four days after having my daughter by C-section I was standing in the living room holding my tummy with one hand and using a small electric broom with the other. I would do a small circle around me then move a few feet to the next spot. We had two cats and I couldn’t stand looking at the cat fur. I wasn’t lucky enough to have a “grandma” like you around. Audrey is very lucky as is the rest of your beauitful family.
You are so right!
Nope. Job well done.
Happy due-date birthday to Audrey!
And good advice for the dads. I am so extremely blessed in that my hubz took such good care of everything when our babies were born.
With our second, our baby had so many health problems and screamed around the clock (colic/reflux). If I called him on the phone crying that I couldn’t take it (which was often) he’d make the one hour trek home to relieve me.
And with our last, I was the one with health problems and he had just started a new job. Still, he took off two weeks and took care of me, the baby, the house and our other two children.
I know I’m a very lucky girl!
You are so right on. One of my most vivid memories of bring my daughter home from the hospital(actually every baby) was, how messy the house was after a couple of days. It was so hard to watch it get messier and messier as I tried to recover. Daddies everywhere should definitely listen up to your advice!
BTW,Audrey is so lucky to have such a supportive family!!
Sharon, this has got to be one of the best posts I have ever read!!!
Hi, thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting! I’m flattered that the Pinks and Blues girls found my little ole blog!
I wish you had written this post before Lance was born…I might have to bookmark it and show it to him whenever it’s time for #2 to come along!
My hubby is great about the dishwasher–for some reason I have a hard time keeping up (could be the three kids!?) but the laundry…AHHHH!! My hamper overfloweth!
Love Love this post. I thought that was really your kitchen at first…LOL…Why is it that most men don’t know how to wipe off a countertop after making a sandwich? or a table after clearing the dishes…or small hairs in the sink after trimming the mustache….I’ve complained enough…Thanks for this post…
Yes, make sure that folded laundry gets put away – no piles left sitting around on couches!
You are a wonderful mom/grandma for helping so much.
A great message to all dads!
I had to leave the hospital before KT did and it was horrible. I’m sure when they wheeled me out people thought that my baby had died b/c I was crying so hard.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting! It’s nice to know that someone else has BEEN THERE with teaching and the struggles and joys.:)
This is a great post! Although I had a fairly easy delivery (vaginal, 100% natural, no complications), my mom was still such an amazing help. While we were in the hospital, she went to our house, washed all the linens that my water broke on, and hung up a sign welcoming us home. When we got home from the hospital, she was there with a casserole and brownies, sent my dad out to fill my pain meds Rx. I could go on and on, but suffice to say, as someone who has been there, you are amazing and wonderful to help her out like that!
Great post, as usual Sharon! My hubby tried, but after a few days, it’s old news.
Ah well – at least we won’t be going down THAT road anymore LOL
fold it!!!! i’m sick of wrinkled cloths!
hi guys i am a horny girl and looking for friends here. I m from Indian please come at my page become member and then enjoy my company. You can also add me at here
I think the post is very touching.