The Mommy Substitute

Tonight, I have a class at the Diocese, and so Michael is going to be putting Baby Michael to sleep by himself tonight. I'm going to feed him at the class, but in case Michael wakes up before I get home and wants a second feeding, I left Michael Sr with a bottle for him to feed him.

In order to make sure everything goes smoothly, Michael practiced last night, and it went well! This was not our very first time bottle feeding, but it was the first time that it was a substitute for a full meal. The other times have been just supplements, and then I will feed him the rest myself.

I think it was WAY cute to see father and son together. Little Michael, I think, was a little confused as to why Daddy was feeding him and Mommy was over on the other chair..definitely a mix up from the normal routine. But, with just a little fussing, Michael got a full tummy and went off back to sleep.

Which means, that Mommy is officially "replaceable" :) My one corner on the market is now up for grabs to anyone that can heat and hold a bottle. It's nice to know that if I need to be somewhere and it just isn't conducive to bring the baby, he'll be taken care of in my absence.

Yet, it did cause me to reflect on the fact, that after a rough month getting adjusted to nursing, I actually really enjoy it, and when Michael was feeding him, I found myself feeling like I was missing out a little on something that I normally do. I was looking forward to the next time he was going to eat so I could feed him again. Even if that next time was at 3 am :)

But this really does open up a whole new world of freedom for me! Now we can have someone watch the baby which extends over the time it takes between feedings. Now I can say "the bottle's in the fridge when he gets hungry" and that buys me 2 additional hours of away-time, whether that time be for a class, or errands, or even a special night out with the mister.

We'll see what horizons this new world opens up!