Day Six - Morning (March 31, 2014)

Back to the homely grind after a weekend of whining kids that after only two days of being with mommy all day already started not wanting me to do things with or for them.

"No! Mommy do it!" was Masen's phrase and

"I want mommy to [insert task here]!" was Nicholai's which increased in whiny tone as the line went by.

But regardless the morning went fine and the boys got off to school no problems. Masen was a bit wary again but he eventually went. Now, what the heck am I gonna do with myself all morning?

Temporary Mr. Mom

Day Five - Evening (March 28, 2014)

This evening could boil down to this:

I cooked and the kids clinged. No that's not a typo. They clinged to my wife for dear life. It was endearing and stress inducing all at once. On one hand I'm trying to give my wife a break. On the other I know she misses them and they her.

But for some reason, the insanity that gripped Nicholai earlier at Chik-fil-a came back full force. I've never heard so much whining in my life.

Dinner and bath were no exception.

So exhausted from this day it's not even funny. Only upside is that I was able to make dinner, clean up and get them somewhat settles down enough to do bath at a reasonable hour as well as get them to sleep. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Exhaustion abounds but I live on.

Temporary Mr. Mom

Day Five - Morning/Afternoon (March 28, 2014)

Let me tell you how nice it was to sleep in today. I got to snuggle with my boys and lounge a little in bed. Then the morning consisted of cleaning up around the house.

Masen had speech this afternoon so I cleaned the garage while the boys played at the neighbor's house at the end of the culdesac. Reorganized the garage a little and swept it out. Put the car seats in the Prix. Not a fan of how they fit in there. The boys chose to be Lightning McQueen twins today.

Masen was an absolute terror at speech. He didn't want to cooperate at all with the therapist.  When we finally left to hit up Chik-fil-a to get food it was Nicholai's turn to throw a fit. Wow.

Lastly, on the way home a stop at Walmart to pick up some sponges and back late for nap. I was able to keep Masen awake until the 3 seconds it took me to get out of the car in which he fell asleep. Which was fine really. I put him in a new a new diaper and nap clothes while he was half asleep.

Nicholai chose to skip the story and get into bed. Good choice on his part.

So here I sit, in the rocking chair waiting for Nicholai to fall asleep so that I can get up and.....do....I don't know what to be honest.

Patience is a virtue that has grown on me---

Temporary Mr. Mom

Day Four - Evening (March 27, 2014)

Not too much for the evening. Laura came home and they all sat on the couch for while before dropped the kids off to a friend's house to go to our counseling session for this week. I got to ask and learn a lot about her clinicals and phlebotomy in general before and after. It was really nice to just chat with her.

When we picked up the boys they were both ready to go and tired. Bath and bed were quick. Tomorrow should be interesting as it will be Friday and Nicholai has no school, though Masen does have a speech therapy appointment at 1 pm. Probably won't post on the weekend as it won't really be Mr. Mom time. So if you don't see anything for a couple days, never fear. It's  not over yet.

Night night.

Temporary Mr. Mom

Day Four - Afternoon (March 27, 2014)

To Target we went first. It's amazing what a soft pretzel and iPad will do to keep a 2 year old preoccupied. We wandered Target for 45 minutes to an hour. I got some shopkicking done and got new wiper blades for the SUV, which, by the way, are way more of a pain to swap than I thought.

Then it was over to Home Depot to look at replacement storm doors. Masen got to walk around there. He was loving it. He sat on one of the riding mowers.

We checked Lowes too to compare prices and then it was off to pick up Nicholai at school.

The most difficult part of the day was probably keeping Masen awake from the school to the park and then from the park going home. Poor little guy was so tired from running around Lowes and Home Depot and playing at the park.  Lunch at home with some trampoline time lead to a quick go down for nap.

While they napped I did something I hadn't done in a long time. Daddy took a voluntary nap.

Key learning point for the afternoon: Attempting to take away an iPad from a half sleeping two year old that's not even looking at it makes him upset, it also keeps him awake. Mean, maybe, but he sure napped well.

Still learning.

Temporary Mr. Mom

Day Four - Morning (March 27, 2014)

So this morning was a bit hectic. Getting the kids up earlier than normal, having to do some extra things to get the kids ready for pictures and fight additional traffic was a pain. I intended to leave at no later than 745 am but for the first time I was a little late getting out the door, 750. Traffic wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be and we made it there 15 minutes early.
We were the first to show up for pictures. The photographer was great. We were able to get recent shots of the boys separately (even Masen by himself) and together. Then Nicholai showed me around his classroom and then it was off for the day for me and Masen.

Key phrase of the morning: "Smile for Mommy"

Got Masen to smile nearly every time for pictures.

Lovin it.

Temporary Mr. Mom

Day Three - Afternoon/Evening (March 26, 2014)

Went to go pick up Nicholai at school and we got there a little early. Masen had a speech therapy appointment at 1230....originally.  So I'm on standby to grab him as soon as I can to get the two of them to Masen's appointment. As I'm leaving a traffic circle to get there the wifey calls. Apparently the therapist called and had moved his appointment to 130 pm instead. Well then, OK, what to do with the kids for an hour to keep them awake and occupied but still be close enough to spend some time where ever it is and still make the appointment.

So I rolled the dice and took them to the Special Operations and Airborne museum here in town. All I can say is...score one for me! The boys loved it. The big airplane, all the guns, the manikins, the different scenes. I'd been there a few times before so none of it was new to me, but watching them experience it for the first time was priceless.

"Daddy look at this!"

"Daddy come here look!"

"That's so cool!"

It really made my heart jump seeing them so excited about everything.

Some how we managed to get home without Masen falling asleep....score again.

The played for a little and then it was off to nap time.  Made a sandwich for the wife so she could eat before class and then it was time for some Modern Warfare 3 to unwind. Wife came home for a few minutes and Nicholai woke up so they got to spend some time. I took the risk of waking Masen up before she left. Yea, he wasn't happy about her leaving for about, literally, 8 seconds after she was gone then we were good. BBQ chicken legs with corn on the cob and grapes for dinner cooked while the boys jumped on the trampoline.

Other than that I got some dusting done and Laura came home to a pretty clean home. They spent some time cuddling. Then it was bath and bed.

Tomorrow is going to be brutal though. After getting up so early today they HAVE to be early tomorrow for pictures. Because not only do we have to be there earlier but there will be a lot Kore involved in getting ready. Hair, special clothes, extra precautions to make sure nothinhbgets messed up prior. Its gonna be interesting.

Day Three - Morning (March 26, 2014

Ok so we're on day three.  This morning was rough.  Both boys were up at 630 am which means they were both up to watch mommy get ready and leave.  This was a bit more difficult this time because Nicholai was not as ok with it as he has been in the past.  He cried but close to three seconds after the door closed and mommy left we were all good.  I don't believe in leaving the kids without talking to them about it but sometimes it's easier on them I think as long as you talk to them about before hand.

On with the day.  So Masen had class pictures today which means he wears something nice.  Nicholai has school as usual.  We go to Masen's room and there's one person there, luckily they know why I'm there and they take us upstairs to "misery room"  I call it this because the photographer asked all the parents to leave while they attempted to take the picture so that the kids wouldn't be distracted by the parents being in the room.  As soon as the parents left and the door closed there were random screams and cries and it sounded like they were being tortured.  Except for Masen who sat there very quietly and nicely.  No tears. Nothing. He even sang the ABC song when they started singing it to try to calm the kids down.

After all was said and done it was off to get some coffee as I will more than likely need it today.  Today is Wednesday which means I need to pick up Nicholai and haul ass over to Masen's speech therapy appointment.  I also have to find time to run by the pediatrician's office and drop off some paperwork for them to fill out.

With this being a work and class day for Laura, the boys will probably get to bed late and after being up super early they'll probably want to sleep in which isn't really an option tomorrow since we have to be at school at 830 am tomorrow for sibling pictures and such.  Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining, but this is what is going on and I can see how after doing this for days and days on end that this can get taxing.  However, I think I would almost trade my job to do this because of the time I get to spend with my boys.  I may change my mind by the end of this but we'll see.

On to the afternoon and beyond.  Time to pick up a post school snack and get ready to pick up Nicholai.

Keep on keeping on.

Temporary Mr. Mom

Day Two - Evening (March 25, 2014)

Not much for the evening. Laura didn't have school so she got to spend a lot of time with the boys which was nice for her and them.

Before I went and picked up pizza, we did, in fact, all play together as I told Nicholai we would.

I went and picked up pizza and some dessert while the sat and cuddled. Then it was dinner, dishes, vacuuming, some carpet cleaning because Masen decided that the carpet needed a dash of marinara sauce.

Then it was bath and bed. Nearly no fuss. Kids went down relatively fast then the parents showered and Laura watched her shows while I read. Then off to bed. Tomorrow is another long day because Masen has pictures (class photo), Nicholai has school as usual but it's Wednesday which means no mommy for the boys until bath time as she has school and class tomorrow.

Here's to another day with my boys!!!

Temporary Mr. Mom

Day Two - Afternoon (March 25, 2014)

Minor grocery shopping done. Just some of the essentials, bread, milk, lotion for the boys, grapes, cereal and the like. Got Masen to even sit in the cart the whole time with the iPad. Then it was off to pick up Nicholai. We got there early so I let Masen sit up front for a little bit.

Got some clarification about pictures which will need to be talked about with my wife but other than that, great afternoon. Getting to car it was gummy bear snack time which tge boys thoroughly enjoyed. Met up with a friend at McDonald's and got the kids some food and play time with their friends. They about as much as they played which was good. Now the real battle began. Getting Masen home without him falling asleep in the car.

I employed every tactic I had. iPad, tickling, funny faces at red lights, speeding. Luckily we made it home before he dozed off but he was ready for nap. Sadly it was only 230 pm. So after a puzzle and a short battle to get him to go outside, I took the boys to kick a ball around for a while. Finally at 10 til 3 we go inside and get ready.

Diaper change, potty, short story and we are ready for nap. Select groceries are put away and its time to chill for a bit. Laura doesn't have class tonight so she may make it home before the boys get up which will be nice. The boys will be very happy to see mommy.

Conversation Piece of the Day:

Me: So if you guys take a good nap, mommy should be home when you wake up.  If she's not home when you wake up it's because you didn't nap long enough.

Nicholai: But I don't want mommy. I want you.

Me: (stunned into silence) Aw well thank you buddy but mommy misses you when she's at work just like I miss you when I'm at work. OK?

Nicholai: OK.....

Me: How about we all play together when mommy gets home. You, me, Masen and mommy OK?

Nicholai: (excitedly) Yeah!!!

Oh those momenta when....

Temporary Mr. Mom

Day Two - Morning (March 25, 2014)

This morning was a little rougher than last. Masen was awake when my wife left this morning. He was not happy about it. Then when she finally left he called down and then she had to come back for something. Aaaaand reset.

Didn't take long to calm him down though. Not long after Nicholai was up and we were going about our day. Dropped Nicholai off and got clarification on pictures. This week will be rough as we will have to be at school by 830 am two days in a row. I'm not sure how pictures will work on Wednesday but we'll make it happen.

For now it's time for a cup of Joe at the book store with my favorite little dude then on to do some small grocery shipping before going to pick up Nicholai.

Oh and I tried to cheer up the wife with a little pick me up from the car as I know her leaving today was rough.

Day One - Evening (March 24, 2014)

So, my wife came back for a short stint to change, grab a bite and head back out for class. Masen happen to wake up early from nap so he saw her and, without prompt, looked at her with his adorable 2 year old voice and said "I missed you". Made my wife's heart leap and brought a big ole smile to my face.

Dinner went well. Roll up cheese with lemon garlic brocolli and grapes. Then play time and clean up until mommy came home. The boys always seem to lose their minds when she comes home on class days. Tonight was no exception if not worse because they hadn't seen her pretty much all day.

Other than that, not a bad first day. Tomorrow I can to spend some quality time with my littlest buddy while Nicholai is at school.

Goodnight

Temporary Mr. Mom

Day One - Afternoon (March 24, 2014)

Picking up the boys went well.  They both were excited to see me and head out and seemed to both enjoy their day.  I was asked to bring Masen in on Wednesday at 830 am to get them both ready for picture day which means Wednesday is going to an interesting and potentially long day.

But we went over a friend's house after school and had some lunch and played outside with friends and now both the boys are down for their afternoon nap.

The day continues on and I'm still enjoying the time immensely with my two boys.  Now it's time to chill for a minute and think of what to do for dinner tonigh as my wife has class from basically the time she gets off until bath time. 

Never fear Mr. Mom is here!! :-)

Temporary Mr. Mom

Day One - Morning (March 24, 2014)

So despite the wife's nervousness around it, so far things are going good.  The kids were gotten up and gotten to school with plenty of time to make a nice leisurely walk in and even give Masen some time to adjust to being dropped off by me instead of mommy.  Nicholai was more than helpful as I was sure he would be.  He should me Masen's classroom was and then walked with me to his classroom with zero fuss.

Masen was a bit more wary about going in but from what I understand that's normal when someone besides the ususal parent drops them off.  I explained to both Nicholai and Masen's teachers what the situation is at the moment and how I would be dropping them off and picking them up and why.  Masen's teacher seemed grateful for the information but not nearly so much as Nicholai's.  Apparently a lot of parents have a habit of not explaining that big changes are occurring that could throw the child out of wack.  Needless to say, she was very thankful for the information.

Well that's it for now.  I'm off to grab some coffee and get some things done for the day.  More to follow.

Temporary Mr. Mom

Pre-Journey Day (March 23, 2014)

Ok, so a little background before this begins.  I am a military dad.  My lovely wife is starting her clinical work that is required for her course in phlebotomy.  In an effort to save us money and spend some much needed time with my kids, I took leave to take care of house and home while she attends clinicals and school.

This means that for 12 working days my wife will be leaving by 7 am and not get home until about 515 pm.  On Mondays and Wednesdays she will not be home until about 9 pm.  This means that Monday through Thursday I will be taking our 4 year old (Nicholai) to and from preschool as well as preoccupying him during all the other time he's awake as I will also have to put him down for nap.  I will also, on Mondays, being taking our 2 year old (Masen) to and from preschool and of course occupying him any other time to include the time his brother will be at school.  Fridays are  a different beast all together as neither munchkin will have school which means pure daddy time.

So now the question is, so why blog this?

I can hear the comments already:

"It's only 12 working days.  Stay at home moms do it for years"

"So what?"

"What's the big deal?"

"You get a break on Monday"

"You don't have to go to work"

"She'll probably cook the nights she is home anyway."

You know what, you're probably right, but there are some unique challenges in this situation.  First of all, the military has felt it fitting to  have taken me away from our boys for a large portion of their lives which can make things difficult.  Also, I will be attempting to maintain the house to my wife's standards as well.  Lastly, we are talking about attempting to maintain order with two young momma's boys while their very VERY protective mommy spends hours in class and clinicals taking blood and studying for the licensure board, while, no doubt worrying profusely about her two boys and the upkeep of the household.

So I walk into a challenge that is heavily weighted against me in hopes of not only coming out alive but come out ahead.  Today is pre-day so it's the DVRed episode of the The Walking Dead with the wife and then off to bed. No pictures today but they are coming.  So, if you dare, stay with me a while and see how it unfolds as this Temporary Mr. Mom takes  a step on the wild side for while.

And so it beginsa and for posterity it is written,

Temporary Mr. Mom