Life with Daddy

Many of you have asked, of course, how things are going for Connor without Mommy around for an extended period. All in all his sunny disposition and love-the-one-you're-with attitude mean that he does just fine. We have been reading a book about Owl Babies whose mother is away (a gift from Megan)and I think this is helping Connor cope. At the end of the book every night he ritualistically repeats the line of one of the owls who says "I want my mommy!" repeatedly. This seems to let him purge his feelings of anxiety over the absence.

I was worried about how he would do sleeping the first night without Jamie in the room as well, but it was no problem. The only issue with going to sleep, in fact, is that before he left Jamie finally realized that being on one floor meant he could get out of bed when he wanted and come find us. So of course Connor learned this too. When I put him to bed, he usually re-emerges from his room at least once, either to get a car, or to return one to the living room. He has also learned from Jamie that when you want to get up, you loudly proclaim "It's 7!!!!!!!" Of course, Connor can't tell what time it is so he will say this at 6:15 if that's when he wakes up and there's no arguing with a 2 year old. He also says it when it's time to get up from a nap.

Interestingly, while he also misses Jamie greatly and asks about them both all the time, Connor is clearly getting used to being the only child. Without Jamie around, it is clear to Connor that I have nothing better to do than serve him, and he has become downright demanding and a little impatient if he doesn't get my attention IMMEDIATELY. Actually, even when he's impatient he very sweet and he's also been much more affectionate with me than ever before, giving me hugs, saying "This is my daddy" and even, gasp, calling me his woobie once. That's big.