Aly Poppins and the baby snuggles

Two nights per week, I work from the early afternoon until the ‘brary closes. There are awesome things about this arrangement and there are not awesome things about this arrangement.

Awesome: I am not at work when most people are at work.
Not awesome: I am at work when most people aren’t at work.

I could bitch about how I can’t play on a Monday night soccer team or how I miss Modern Family every week but I try not to focus on the inconveniences of the schedule. I never have to take time off of work to go to a dentist appointment! I don’t have to fight for a treadmill on a weekday morning! If I’m especially exhausted, I can sleep late!

I can help out my best friend. I am so thankful for the opportunity.

Lucy started back at work last week. She’s working almost exclusively from home and, so far, the arrangement seems to be working out fairly well. Chet has a flexible work schedule, Lucy’s mom is going to watch Baby A once a week and – and – AND Baby A is going to have some special bonding time with Aly Poppins.

When Lucy was told me about her childcare plan, there was no way I wasn’t going to offer.

It just makes sense. During the two mornings a week that I’m not working, Lucy can get out of the house (or hide in the basement or sit on the porch or whatever) and get a few hours of work done. And I get quality time with my baby.

Everyone wins.

But mostly me. I am the winner: I get to snuggle that baby. Lucy has to work. Working sucks.

Lucy is not great at accepting help. But she was less weird about the babysitting offer than I thought that she would be. After “oh, no, you don’t have to do that!” and “you’re the nicest person ever” and “you’re the best for even offering,” I think I got through to her. I think I made it clear.

I’m not that altruistic.

I’m not that perfect.

I am not an angel of childcare.

I just want to spend time with that baby.

And if I can spend quality time with Baby A in a way that also allows Lucy a little time to get her work done, I’m even happier to do it. Sign me up.

It’s so fortunate to have a schedule that allows me to hang out with Baby A a morning or two per week. I’m so happy to do it. And I am so, so fired up about the baby snuggles.

Baby snuggles all around!