October 4th, 2008 | by KateDouglas |
This is not at all what I planned to write about today, but I’ve been slapped upside the head with a dose of reality as I struggle to meet a deadline on a novella while babysitting three of our grandkids. In a nutshell, I DON’T KNOW HOW YOU YOUNG MOMS DO IT!!! The kids are wonderful–well behaved and so darned cute, but they’re busy. REAL busy, and they want to be with Dabba and Bompa every second of the day. Then there’s picking them up at school, trying to get the baby to nap, running the middle one to ballet…did I say they’re busy? Luca is a very adult seven year old, Gracie is 4 AND A HALF ALMOST FIVE (and the caps are exactly how she says it) and Cole just turned two and has the speed of greased lightning. If he can’t climb it he’ll take it apart or lose it…all with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his big blue eyes. I’ve got pictures of all the kids up on my website, including the two year old granddaughter in Hawaii and her brand new baby brother who I’ve never even met. You can see them at http://www.katedouglas.com/id50.htm Just scroll down to the bottom half for the crew we’re watching this weekend. Unfortunately, the fact they’re cute and entertaining as hell doesn’t get a novella written. I’ve tried. Really I have, but I have a feeling that I’m just going to have to work twice as hard once I get home Sunday night.
One thing that I got a giggle out of tonight was almost worth not getting my work done–I was cleaning up the kitchen and asked my husband to give the two youngest their baths. When he finally got them clean, dry and in their jammies, he looked as if he’d been keelhauled. He came out of the bathroom a beaten man. At least I didn’t feel quite as badly about not getting much written…but I have to say, hats off to all of you young moms who still manage to write your books while raising kids. You’re truly amazing, and I’d love to know how you do it!
I would like to know how they do it too. I think I use to be able to it when I was working plus going to school. Now when I babysit the little one I can’t seem to mange any homework. I have to make sure I have all the assignments done (or almost done) before she gets here.
by icia · October 4th, 2008 at 11:38 pmLOL! I’m a single mom of an ALMOST FIVE year old
and it’s not easy to write. I do it at night! When she’s snoring and all is quiet. Kind of like right now…
Three is hard though, Kate! Props to you!
by Shelli Stevens · October 5th, 2008 at 1:21 amHey Kate…it is hard to keep track of all the young ones, especially since they are all busy. I am not a young mom, but I have experience dealing with and taking care of kids that age…it seems like they never get tired. I hope that you have some time to rest before you finally get the chance to sit and write your novella when you get home. I just dropped in to say hello. Btw, my friend absolutely loves your books, and I loaned her the rest of them to read. She read the first one at the beginning of the summer, and when she opened Sexy Beast, she didn’t have to try to remember what happened in Wolf Tales…she recognized the characters easily. I also showed her your pic and she couldn’t believe that you were the author of such a hot book; hot enough to have an advisory. I have to go, but I will see you at Jack’s…have a wonderful day…
Peace and love,
by Paula Robinson · October 5th, 2008 at 10:21 amPaula R.
Hi guys! Sorry I haven’t responded. WHERE does the time go? The two year old is teething and he needs lots of hugs…like through most of the night! At least the seven year old is old enough to be a lot of help, but sometimes he’s just a bit too smug watching Dabba and Bompa try to figure things out before he steps in…Icia, I don’t think there’s anything you can’t do!…And Shelli, a five year old and you can even THINK steamy? I am definitely impressed…hi Paula! As I recall, you deal with an entire houseful most of the time in your average day, right? I now know WHY I didn’t get published until my kids were grown and gone!!! Oops…gotta go chase a kid!
by Kate Douglas · October 5th, 2008 at 12:32 pmI have to be honest, it is a real struggle. Mine are 12, 3 in a few days (and, yes, she is very vocal about that few days part), and then one about to be born. I have a day job as well and I find that sometimes the mix of the kids’ sports, feedings, general entertainment, and the job are enough to do me in without having to worry over housework or anything else. However, I also find writing an awesome distraction. I do often have to get myself motivated to sit down and invest the time after the rest of the house is sleeping but I’m always thrilled with progress, be it 500 words or 2,000.
by jodi lynn copeland · October 5th, 2008 at 2:33 pmJodi, you absolutely amaze me, with your crew, the job and the fact you still manage to write such great books! Definitely impressive–and I sure hope your spouse helps.
Mine’s usually pretty good, but when we first got her at our daughter’s, he sort of slacked off and turned everything over to me…it’s almost comical, but I got up the other night with the baby for the second time–husband had slept through the first–and made a couple of trips up and down the stairs carrying him. He weighs 49 pounds (did I say he’s a very LARGE two year old?) And he’s NOT fat! However, I only weigh around 120, so I was lugging this kid who’s almost half as heavy as I am, up and down stairs, getting him changed, new bottle, trying to keep him quiet and finally got him back to bed. Then I walked out of the room and passed out! My husband heard the thunk when I hit the ground–I’ve got low blood pressure and probably just got up and started moving too fast–and he came running. Anyway, after that happened, he suddenly began hearing the baby every time he woke up, and did the running up and down while I changed diapers…his comment, “Don’t you EVER do that to me again!”
I figure that one little fainting spell probably saved me a LOT of trips up and down a lot of stairs!!! Proof once more that motherhood is for the young.
by Kate Douglas · October 5th, 2008 at 3:07 pmI second that! I know Mattie keeps me busy and some days I need a nap before she goes home. LOL
by icia · October 5th, 2008 at 5:56 pmWe’re home. I think Rufus was the most relieved. He’s not too crazy about little kids, but it’s so nice to be back in our QUIET house! It was really fun, though, and the kids were great. I thoroughly enjoyed myself with them. They’re all huggers, and face it, there isn’t a grandmother anywhere he can turn down a warm little kid hug.
by Kate Douglas · October 5th, 2008 at 8:08 pmaww Kate.. you have a beautiful family.. but kids are handful arent they? and my youngest is 10. i am still struggling to adjust to being an only parent again, and juggling work and kids, sleep is gone by the wayside and sanity is soon to follow..lol..
if your good you get a family visit..we arrived on post and waited for over an hour and a half in this big open area where they put picnic tables etc, then busses of soldiers came, and we couldnt leave the area, but i will take any hour they give us…
by Jolene · October 6th, 2008 at 10:07 amwe had a 2 hour visit with hubby yesterday on post.. nothing like a long car ride for a short visit.. the army is sort of like prison..
take care and glad you had such a fun visit with the grandkids..
Hi Jolene: You have most definitely been in my thoughts this past few weeks! You’re a lot tougher woman than I am, and it makes me feel pretty petty about grumbling about one weekend! Please keep in touch with me off-list so I know how you’re doing while your husband is serving in the Middle East. You’ve got my hugs along with best wishes.
by Kate Douglas · October 6th, 2008 at 11:18 amI just read your blog. This is Sue just back from WDW. just like I’ve said before grandkids are so much better than the real ones! Just make sure you jump when they say “I gotta PEEEEEEEE”
by sue pecenka · October 6th, 2008 at 4:43 pmLOL…ain’t that the truth! I found myself just jumping in general, every time one of them wanted something. It’s those high pitched little kid voices–they have such a sense of command!
by Kate Douglas · October 6th, 2008 at 7:01 pmOurs grits his little teeth and the volume rises to ear shattering at the end of the peeeeee! He did this in a restraunt one day and all you could hear were other diners laughing and Mom’s heads swiviling.
by sue pecenka · October 7th, 2008 at 6:28 pmSue, it’s a lot funnier when it’s someone else’s kid doing the screaming!
by Kate Douglas · October 7th, 2008 at 10:54 pmAint that the truth, although with Nick we laugh so hard that we gotta peeee! MY husband will tease him and go “I gotta peeee” to him and all he doew is give a dirty look and say “Well then go pee PaPa”
by sue pecenka · October 8th, 2008 at 3:02 pm