You want to know what’s not relaxing? Vacation, for Rob. To be fair, vacation for anyone with children cannot be described as relaxing, as these little bundles of energy tend to get up early, ask for things like food, and then want you to watch them and take care of them all day. So it’s just like being at home, but without most of your stuff.

Of course, we have some added stressors, as everyone who reads this blog is more than well aware. I’m sure Rob could have a truly lovely vacation, if he would just travel alone. But instead he brought a puppy, a five-year-old, and his increasingly disabled wife. Not his smartest decision. Not a recipe for sleeping in (or even sleeping through the night.)

You know your situation is unusual when the five-year-old is the second most self-reliant person in the family, and the 12-week-old puppy is handling himself pretty well, too. Sigh. I am the weakest link.

For example, both Scarlett and Otto can at least feed themselves. When Rob finally settles down by the pool to enjoy a sandwich, he has to balance his own food intake with mine. This is a completely new development, and it’s sort of unfortunate that it began when all of our meals are on display. I keep my attention on our table at each restaurant, quietly wondering what other people are thinking of our performance. Maybe they just think we’re really in love? I doubt it, and I don’t care that much (less so every time), but I do wish my husband could enjoy a meal without having to help me enjoy mine. Read More>