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Guh. I'll tell you the problem. Ethan, being the healthy robust 22 lb'er he is, has outgrown his swing. I loved that swing. I'd marry that swing if I could. That swing was a place to strap the little guy in for an hour or more, sometimes, where he'd be safe, immobile, amused, and the magic word: SLEEP.

Our routine each morning was to have Ethan swing in his swing after his breakfast and nurse, so that he'd fall asleep like clockwork for at least half an hour, sometimes an hour for his morning nap. This time was very sacred to me. I could drink coffee and watch Regis and Kelly. I could surf online and write here. I could shower and dress without worrying about Ethan being out of hearing and seeing distance.

And if he woke up, he'd be happy to keep swinging away, looking at whatever was on tv or playing with his little blue bear on his lap. If people came over, into the swing he'd go so I'd have my hands free to drink coffee or a glass of wine. He'd swing while I made dinner, did laundry, heck had a nap beside him on the couch. The swing. Loved it.

In the last week, he not only has surpassed manufacturer's weight limits for the contraption, but he's also been sitting up in it as it moved back and forth - like a game. The swing is not for babies who can sit up on their own. He'd teeter vicariously, grinning at me as he discovered this new trick, while I have a mini stroke worried he'll do a face plant onto the floor with the swing and its base falling after him. That night, the swing was dismantled and put in storage. We have a bit more space in our living room now, but that is the only benefit.

Now I have Ethan in my arms hours more each day - while he can sit up, he needs to be unassisted so I can't just plunk him on the floor and walk away for any length of time as he'll do a face plant. Morning naps are now in my arms for about half an hour (half an hour I could be doing something else or hey - here's an idea - getting ready for the day myself. I am now in my jammies for hours longer each day. Showers are every two days, and very, very quick. Leg shaving is saved for weekends. Baths? Foreggaboudid. Actually blow dry my hair straight and wear it down? As if. Its clips and crinkly bangs for this mum. I'm letting myself go, and its Fisher Price's fault.

So I've not had the LEISURE to write here, or read your website even. Or scan pictures. Or take pictures. Or brush my teeth. Or return phone calls. Or make a coffee date. The laundry's not done; its takeout again tonight.



Welcome to motherhood.