Recapping #nomomweek - We Survived

Well in a few hours it will be around the time that #nomomweek started in our house. Yep, on Saturday night, my wife returned home and it was greeted with great excitement by all the men at Like A Dad.

Looking back, it went by pretty quick, which is good, but it is only over the last few days that I am fully realizing just how tiring it was.

How do the single parents do it all the time?

Anyways.

Last Monday, we were leaving Manitoba after a family wedding and the plan was we would all fly from Winnipeg to Toronto. Then my wife would stay in Toronto for work, while the boys and I carried on to Halifax.

That meant, taking the two dudes on the plane by myself. I was not worried. But I was bracing for some tests of stress and patience.

Both boys were tired and our little baby had a bad cold. Traveling with sick kids in my opinion can go really good or bad. Luckily for me, a sick baby meant a lot of sleep.

So here is a brief recap of how #nomomweek went from the time she left us at the airport, until she gave our boys a big hug on Sunday morning.

Photo album at the bottom.

Monday

I figured the best way to take on the two boys at the airport and for the flight was food, food and more food. I hit Tim Hortons for a tray of snacks. Most of it got eaten.
Harry kept having to go to the bathroom. Thank you to the lady who watched our bags.
Harry started playing with someone else’s luggage.
We went to use the family room to change Charlie before boarding. He was nice enough to have a big poop while we were waiting for the room to clear. Dodge that bullet.
Upon boarding, we realized we were in the very back. Row 33. Nobody behind us.
This was actually nice. I felt relief as it was just us in our row.
Harry could go to the bathroom by himself (which he was proud to do 3 times) and I would not have to bug anyone.
The downside. I could no recline my seat and I had a big dude in front of me who did recline.
The flight went great. Charlie slept 90% of it and Harry just watched TV shows.
Once it was over, many around us commented on how well the boys were. The flight attendants gave me a good review for travelling on my own.
On the way off the plane, we were last of course. The pilots invited Harry into the cockpit. That blew his mind. He was talking about it for an hour.
Bathroom, bags, park and fly, car and out. It went smooth. Harry made it better by pushing Charlie in the stroller while I managed the bags.
Home sweet home after 11 hours door to door.
The rest of the night was about unpacking, eating and getting the boys ready for school on Tuesday.
Charlie was still a sick boy.

Tuesday

Up early for school. Harry did not want to go. It was hard.
We were all dressed and out the door by 7:45 am. I had low expectations for Charlie lasting an hour.
I had some appointments that morning, so if he made it to noon I would have been happy.
Both boys lasted all day! What a great surprise.
During the day I cleaned, relaxed a bit with the Breaking Bad finale and then it was time to do the pick up.
First I did a tuxedo pickup. What? See later.
Dinner, playing, double bath and two bedtimes….I was done. When is Katie coming back?

Wednesday

Again, up early for school but this time Charlie was super hot again. Why did he go backwards?
Dressed and out the door again and this time I had a free day to myself. Or did I?
I dropped the boys off and before I could get out the door, they said Charlie had a high temp.
I just called it right there and took him home. I had the time and I just wanted to get him better.
He slept all morning and woke up looking even worse.
Doctor time.
Went to the clinic and got a prescription for antibiotics.
After picking up drugs, car battery died.
CAA boosted us.
Home 4 hours later to let Charlie sleep more before going back to get Harry.
Pickup was fine. Dinner was fine. The night was going great.
I had the hang of this whole parenting by myself thing.
Bedtime went off without a hitch and I even stayed awake for Survivor.
Then the rails came off again.
Harry was screaming he was sick.
It was a task just to calm him down.
Finally we agreed he could sleep with me.
We did not really go to sleep until 3 am. He was full of snot and could not get comfy.
What a long night.

Thursday

With only a few hours of sleep, I was not ready to get up for the school run.
Charlie seemed much better on the drugs and ate a full breakfast.
I let Harry sleep until I had to get him up.
Funny enough, he came down like a brand new man. Smiling and laughing.
Great!
Got both kids off to school and the stayed all day.
Harry had a fun day with new friends and even ate some food.
Thursday night hit me hard.
I made an early dinner and we played before an early bed for both boys.
By the time I cleaned up and did a few things on the computer, it was 9 pm.
I lasted 15 minutes. Passed out and woke up at 10:30 pm. Went to bed.
Soon, I will have help.

Friday

We all slept until almost 8 am. Whoops.
I turned that morning around and had the boys out the door in 30 minutes.
Again, they both had great days but still had colds lingering.
During the day I finally gave up trying to keep things clean. I took a “me” afternoon.
I watched a movie and had a nap.
Hey, it is needed.
I picked the boys up, we played outside and had a nice dinner. Last night on my own.
I did the double bath, double hair wash as they would have a sitter on Saturday night.
Both boys were passed out by 8:15 pm.
I watched TV and just relaxed as Saturday was going to be busy.
Shark Tank finally.

Saturday

No school. I had to come up with a plan to entertain the kids all day.
Harry had soccer at 9 am. We watched and Charlie had a blast on the gym floor.
Harry loved his class. He has a dance when he scores a goal.
After soccer, we went to see what was at the City Harvest event going on in Halifax.
We went to the water front. Walking around, playground, danger wave and then the surprise fun.
We randomly got to go on the last ride of the season for Theodore Tugboat (for free!)
Harry was blown away. A 30 minute ride in the harbour and free cookies.
Charlie liked the free cookies especially.
After the boat ride, we got in the car and went to the next thing.
A free petting zoo with a donkey, some goats and a cow.
Charlie fell asleep by this point.
Harry loved the animals eating food from his hands.
It was noon. Time to head home for lunch.
Light lunch and then naps.
I did it. I made it. Katie would be back later.
Wait, there was so much more.
It was the night of Katie’s work gala to raise money for the QEII hospital. Yep that is what the tux was for. Black tie all the way.
I won’t go into the story because it was chaotic, but in the end I met Katie at the event and we looked sharp.
The boys were home with a babysitter.
We did it. We were reunited. I gave my wife a hug and we hit the party.
What a reward after the week I had right?
Home after midnight. We were all back in one house.