“Then it wouldn’t be a surprise. Joseph does things like that for me all the time. I guess those two become more alike with each passing day.”
Juliette miraculously tosses my big baby in the air, and he squeals with delight as he soars up and then back down. I’m not sure how she lifts him that high without straining a back muscle or ending up looking like a mess. I feel like I have a dull lower backache and smashed Cheerio dust in my hair at all times.
“He thinks I’m working too much,” I confess. “He thinks I need some additional help around here.”
Juliette tilts her head and gives me a long look in the eyes.
“Well, now that you mention it, maybe you do. You do look a little tired. No offense, sweetie.”
“None taken.” I guess. “What gave it away? My dark circles?”
“If it makes you feel any better, I’ve read that most new mothers are sleep deprived for at least a year and don’t even realize it. How much sleep do you think you get at night?”
“I don’t know, maybe four or four and a half hours a night.”
“Four hours? Oh no, dear, you’re going to need at least double that. I don’t have kids or an exciting business like yours, and even I still need eight hours of rest.”
“Uh, eight hours will not happen. Eight hours is laughable. I can’t even recall the last time I slept a full eight hours.”
“This little pumpkin won’t leave you alone, huh?”
“He’s always hungry.” I chuckle. “Can’t you tell? He’s the biggest baby on the planet, or at least in the pediatrician’s office.”
“Do you take him to all his checkup appointments by yourself?”
“Sure.”
Aunt Juliette takes a seat on the couch and cradles Knox in her lap. I notice him eyeballing one of her earrings, but before I can warn her about his earring obsession, she continues with her inquisition.
“Hmm, so it’s true. Roman mentioned that you won’t allow him to help much with the baby.”.
“No, it’s not true,” I say defensively.
I decide to change the subject.
“Oh, goodness, I forgot to offer you something. Would you like anything to drink? I could get you a Diet Coke or some of that herbal tea you like.”
“No, dear, I was just wondering if perhaps you could let Roman do a few more things to support you.”
It’s obvious that she will not let this subject go. Maybe that’s her true purpose in stopping by. There probably is no date. I’m thinking the grand plan was for Juliette to conveniently drop by and tell me all of things I’m doing wrong in this relationship.
“He takes care of the dog,” I deadpan.
I take a moment to rub Mr. Tibbs’s belly. It’s easy to forget that he’s in the room sometimes because he’s such a good boy. He never snaps or snarls when Knox tugs too hard at his tail or ears. He just licks him in the face and then goes to lie down in a corner somewhere to stay out of the way.
“Mr. Tibbs practically takes care of himself. I was thinking more like having Roman take Knox to his next well visit or have him handle some solid food feedings so you can rest.”
“Knox doesn’t eat a lot of solid food yet.”
“Hmm, really? Could that be why he’s so hungry? How long are you planning to primarily breastfeed?”
Oh, she’s definitely been talking to Roman or worse… my parents.
“As long as he wants to,” I say defiantly. “It’s good for him. He’s getting all my antibodies and all the nutrients he needs. I’ve read extensively about it.”
“Of course, dear. I was just trying to help troubleshoot things.”
“Troubleshoot what exactly?”
