Home Alone
Hi friends,
This week brought another milestone - I was home alone for the first time! Immediately after I was discharged, I had instructions to be monitored/babysat in case I needed support or in case anything happened, I’d have someone nearby to help. I had a steady rotation of babysitters between Hans, my mom, my mother-in-law, and friends that would stop by in between. I would have sporadic dizzy spells so I felt comfortable when another adult was available. Plus, up until last week, if Raine was home, I needed support lifting her.
Tuesday was the first day I was left alone since November 21st. I was excited to have some new-found independence and slightly more energy than I’ve had in the last 2 months. I had booked my calendar to meet up with a friend for coffee each day (meeting at a location where I could easily take city streets and avoid parallel parking) and I was excited to get out of the house.
Ready to greet the week, I woke up at the beginning of the week with a terrible sinus infection. So this week has been another week spent sick in bed.
**Please note** I recorded this video on Thursday morning. I was sounding sick but feeling a lot better!
With or Without Brain Surgery, Toddlers are Exhausting
I also watched Raine by myself for the first time since November 21st. And I was exhausted.
Raine is an all around low maintenance toddler. She sort of likes rest and time to herself so there’s little fight to get her to bed. She’s been a generally adventurous eater, so we feed her what we’re eating and she’ll typically try at least a bite. She loves reading (solo) and being read to, so the bedtime book routine is an exciting one for her. Even still, following a pretty normal nighttime routine + a bath, my energy was at zero.
I had prepared for these three solo hours the whole day. I stayed in bed until 9. I wrote for a little bit from a cozy loveseat in our bedroom, still in my pjs, and enjoyed my coffee. I got ready for the day, made myself lunch, and rested in the dark basement because it was a bright, sunny day (note - I’m still sensitive to sunlight) - watching tv, closing my eyes for some brain rest, and enjoyed some tea all to prepare for these 3 hours of solo parenting. I honestly thought I had over-prepared. Around 3pm I thought “I should try to do some yoga! It sounds good to try some movement and see how it goes.” But I quickly reminded myself that if it completed exhausted all the energy I was preserving, I would not have enough gas in the tank to watch Raine that evening.
This as a good push and a good reminder to myself that rest is important and recovery is slow.
Piano Room Project
From my ICU bed, I convinced Hans that the piano room needed vibe refresh to support more creative energy and meet my moment of feeling inspired.
We’ve started in on this project and assumed our typical roles.
My role = Design and Pinterest pinning
Hans’ role = Delivery
I’ll keep you posted on the progress and the final design of this room. It’s been fun to reimagine this space and welcome more creativity in 2025.
Thanks for your continued love and support.
XO,
R
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