Learning About Kids

So, today Muriel and Dig have headed back to Kansas to get the rest of their stuff out of storage. They left at 4am. I have the Bug (their daughter) today and tomorrow by myself. Muriel has been training me to watch her, since I'm going to basically act as a nanny for her.I've been learning to make her food, feed her, change her, and when she gets bottles and meals, and naps. So far, I think I've done okay. Today is my first time watching her on my own. I'm sure Muriel is as nervous as I am. This is going to be interesting.

She gets up at 7am.

Do you know how long it's been since I've seen 7am? A while. I think I was in college. But this morning I actually was up at 3am. I couldn't get back to sleep. It's going to be a long day. But morning went good so far. I've given her a bottle, and changed the diaper. In a few hours, I get to feed her breakfast, bottle her and lay her down for a nap. Maybe take one myself.

I've been playing things for her on Netflix. They had a counting program for toddlers. One to Ten, over and over and over. She loved it. Now she's watching Caillou. I prefer Caillou to the other show. She doesn't seem to care, so long as there's noise. She's teaching me all kinds of things. Patience is one of them. I wasn't certain if I wanted kids. I'm still not certain. However, she's adorable. She smiles at me when I make funny noises. We played peek-a-boo for ten minutes.

This is one of those times when I can't imagine being my mother. I mean, she read to me constantly. She played with me. She held down a job. I seriously don't think I could keep up with the Bug on a daily basis -and- hold down a job. I'm not sure I can survive kids' shows. And the way she hands you a book to read, and two pages in, takes it away and goes on to something else. It takes some adjusting.

She really is adorable. She doesn't completely understand not everything is hers, or that if you leave the room you're coming back. She gets frustrated, and cries until you come back, or until she gets distracted away from the thing she can't have. Thankfully I have a secret weapon. It's called "Look.. Kitty!" Works almost every time. Added bonus, he really does like her. He sticks fairly close to where she is, and watches over her. Right now he's sleeping on a chair near her play pen. One eye open and watching her.

 I'm sure I'll keep learning as she grows, while she's here. And maybe some day I'll want one of my own. I still don't know though.