Nicholas and I successfully got through week one alone while Ryan was in Asia for work. When week two rolled around, we were well on our way to having established some sort of routine and the days were passing more quickly. I had plans for most of the days and getting out of the house helped to keep me busy so that I didn't miss Ryan as much.
On Monday, we were supposed to go with our neighbor, Louisa, and her 7 month old daughter, Sienna, to DFO (Direct Factory Outlets). However, after getting Nicholas and I both ready and out the door on time (not an easy task), I soon discovered that our car battery had died. Louisa and Sienna went ahead without us. But, made sure to stop by our apartment after for a play date and coffee. Ryan and I Skyped soon after and decided that I didn't need the car that week, and we would wait until he got home to deal with the battery. It was sort a new thing to know that I'd be taking public transport all week. Not so difficult to do in Brisbane, where there is a great river ferry system and three stops within blocks of our house.
On Tuesday, Nicholas and I took the ferry across the river to downtown Brisbane. We had an appointment with the American Embassy to get his Consular Record of Birth Abroad, Passport and Social Security Card. But, first we had to get his passport picture taken at a photo place downtown. Marg told us that she'd meet us just in case I could use a hand. I'm so glad she did. Nicholas had fallen asleep on the ferry ride and was taking a great nap in his pram. But since he had to have his eyes open for his passport photo, we had to wake him up. He is not a happy baby when he's woken up early from his naps. So, for the next hour I was left to deal with a very cranky baby while we waited for his passport pictures to be developed. After that, we met Marg at our Embassy appointment where things went much more smoothly. We waited a short time and our appointment lasted under 10 minutes. His passport should be here any day and then he'll "officially" be an American Citizen and be able to fly home to the US.
On Wednesday, Nicholas and I took the ferry up the river one stop to my 6 week OB appointment. Again, he slept GREAT on the ferry and during the walk from the ferry. But, once we got to Arrivals and stopped moving, he, of course, woke up just in time for Dr. Higgins to call us into the room. I then did the difficult task of feeding him while being examined myself. However, something makes me think that Dr. Higgins has seen this many times before. He even burped Nicholas for me at one point, and Nicholas thanked him by doing a loud pooh while the doctor was holding him. Talk about embarrassing! LOL. After that, we decided to skip the ferry and instead walked home through the Kangaroo Point Parklands along the river. It was a great day for a walk.
On Thursday, we had our mums/bubs meet up group at the Powerhouse Cafe. We took the ferry down river a few stops and then walked from there. It seems like all the other babies are so quiet and always sleep through the whole meet up. Maybe their mums time their feedings a little better. Nicholas, however, is always hungry right when we get there even if I've fed him just before leaving the house. Then, he wants nothing to do with the pram afterwards and instead wants to be held the entire time. Don't get me wrong, I love holding my baby. But, it makes it difficult to drink a hot coffee or eat anything when you have a very alert and active baby in your arms. That's alright. It's not the coffee we go to the meet ups for anyways. It's the interaction with other mums of babies Nicholas' age and being able to compare notes with them. It was another fun morning with the mums/bubs group.
On Friday, Marg was going to come over and we were all going to go for a walk around Kangaroo Point. But, she asked for a rain check since she had a lot going on that day, and Howard had just flown in after a 3 week work trip to the US. So, instead, Nicholas and I stayed around the house and had a rest day. Well, Nicholas had a rest day while Mommy cleaned so that Daddy would come home to a clean house. I guess after almost a week straight of plans every day it was nice to have a semi-lazy day at home.
On Saturday, Nicholas and I woke up smiling because Ryan would be home that afternoon, and our two weeks alone would soon be over. When I first learned that I would be alone with our newborn baby for 2 weeks, I panicked slightly. I was so unsure of myself. But, in retrospect, it turned out to be a very positive experience. It forced me to stop being so nervous with Nicholas, and I found out he's not going to break as easily as I thought he would. Being alone with him also helped me to discover more about him. I was immersed in the maternal role and I learned quickly how to determine when he was hungry, tired, bored, awake, social etc... and I adjusted myself accordingly so that we had a good time together. It also gave us time to start establishing some routines. Routines that we are keeping even now that daddy is home.
Don't get me wrong... I don't like when Ryan travels for work. I miss him, and it's hard work taking care of a baby by yourself for days on end. But, if/when he does have to go away again, I know that Nicholas and I can handle it. We'll miss Ryan. But, we'll get through it just fine!!
