Saturday, August 8, 2009

Isn't real life lousy?

Is what my sister said to me yesterday. Totally agree. I've gotten used to student life--Blake goes to school early, comes home early, studies in the evening. Third year of medical school has been a rude awakening. For example, last Saturday Blake had 24 hour call- 7 AM to 7 AM Sunday. Monday he left at 4:30 AM, came home 8 PM. Tuesday same. Wednesday same. Thursday he got home at 5:15! Friday he left at 4:30 AM, had overnight call, and was home at 6 AM. Is this post about how bad I feel for Blake? No, of course it's about how bad I feel for myself.

Blake has been such a fantastic husband--helps with Isaac while I make dinner or he makes dinner with my instruction while I play with Isaac. He always did the dishes. He cleaned the bathroom. But now I have to do it all myself. The thing is, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. But this is real life, Marie! Most wives cook and clean and take care of their kids. I'm sure when I'll read my journal when I have five kids I will remember the good old days when I still could read during Isaac's naps and sew at night. And I like to cook. And I don't mind to clean--it feels so awesome to have a newly vacuumed floor. And I'd rather be dancing with Isaac than stuck behind a computer in an office or worse! up at 2 AM stitching up someone's wounds. So my goal is not to freak out at Blake when I go to book club and I come home to two pots in the sink, because my life is great and I can clean two pots and let my exhausted husband go to bed.

I often feel like Dan in Real Life, when he walks around the bookstore and picks up twenty random titles. That is what my trips to the library are like. As I chase Isaac around, I grab this and that, and hey, I'll try that. Isaac loves to throw on some tunes and shake his booty and I'm getting sick of our music. I think Isaac likes Arthur the best, though (and I must admit, who can beat jekyll jekyll hyde jekyll hyde hyde jekyll).

Isaac has learned how to make the saddest sad noise ever. Listen.


2 comments:

chris said...

that's not sad! he sounds like a helicopter. pretty awesome if you ask me.

Sarah McK said...

I think you meant to say "leaves early, comes home LATE." I agree with you in many ways. 1 - Real life is lousy. 2 - Third year sucks. (Although you didn't use such indelicate language. :) And I have heard from tons of people that surgery is the WORST as far as time goes, so it can only get better from here!) 3 - Blake is a great husband and father. That is crystal clear, and you seem incredibly well matched and happy together. 4 - We are incredibly lucky to be home with our boys and living the lives that we live. HOWEVER, I do not think it is even a tiny bit unreasonable to expect your exhausted husband to contribute to your home's upkeep by doing TWO dishes. You are a kind wife, b/c if Logan did that he would never hear the end of it. There would be . . . well . . . SOMETHING to pay. (I don't want to use any more indelicate language.) :) It's just part of being a family, tired or not. Also, keep in mind that as much as they may not like the hours, our boys are actually thrilled to be stitching people up and finally get real, hands-on experience! Just the thought makes my skin crawl, but they love it. And it's a HECK of a lot more exciting than changing the fiftieth diaper of the day. We all have parts of our jobs that we love and hate. And we're all tired. Wow, this is a novel. See you soon! :)