This weekend has been a complete relaxing, dare I say lazy weekend. For the past two months, every weekend has been spent in a different Norwegian or Swedish town. A combination of all the places being checked off my list, the snowy weather, and a coworker + family being in-town (not being by myself!) led me to stay in Kongsberg. Saturday was started with a long 3 hour wet walk through town and up around the local mountain. It rained the entire time and for much of it I was trudging through snow, yet I was able to stay warm. My feet did get wet (through my leather hiking boots) so I was happy, after stopping for a bakery lunch, to return to the toasty hotel. In the evening my babysitting services were accepted for a night with a 2 ½ year old boy and his 6 month old sister. Apparently, he is enamored with me, and asking his parents, “where’s Sara?” everyday and at dinner. It makes babysitting him a lot easier as he responds to my requests (put your pants on, get your jacket, go brush your teeth) with enthusiasm versus putting up fights to his parents for the same requests. I certainly energize him and wear him out during play time, and have enjoyed testing a new communication method on him. A few months ago, I learned something from one of Jamie’s coworker’s families. The parents do not talk to the little one in baby talk, but rather in a tone that would be used with an adult. This toddler is extremely smart and is catching on to a number of words and phrases that may otherwise have not been used. Her most amusing phrase is, “Daddy, can I tax your plate?”
The 6 month old is teething, so she wasn’t quite herself during the babysitting hours. I remained calm despite having a wailing alarm next to my ear. If I put her down, her screams could be heard at least two floors up and down, I’m sure of it. Even in my arms after a fresh diaper, and endless entertainment and movement she sounding her siren. After an hour or so, I needed to get her out of the hotel and out of range from my ear tubes, so we went for a walk to the train bridge. After getting the boy dressed (while holding her), we all went into my room so I could slip into my boots and a jacket (though both were untied/unzipped) because she was still screaming. She calmed down when we walked down the hallway and down the elevator. At this point in the lobby, she was put into the stroller. She let everyone in the hotel lobby, including the fancy ladies in sequence dresses, know it was happening against her will. She was pushed outside into the freezing dark evening in frustration. I pushed the stroller for 15 minutes through snow and we were almost to the bridge. Almost, before the boy walked through an ankle-deep (on him) puddle. Of course. I gently told him that since he walked through a puddle and his feet may get wet and cold we better turn around. So, we turned around back to the hotel. He was okay with that. She wasn’t. She had fallen asleep five minutes into the walk and upon returning to the warm air of the hotel room was awake, and again, felt the need to inform everyone on the floor. A pacifier did nothing. Dancing did nothing. A formula bottle did something for a little while. Then I gave up and put her in her crib. She was agitated at first, but if I “shhhed” her she quieted down. If I left, she’d send more distress signals. This provided little time to take care of the boy. He was becoming tired and cranky as well. After a tooth brushing activity and a small disagreement, he was put to bed. A few challenged versions of Jingle Bells (he started it) and Twinkle Twinkle, they were both asleep within minutes and stayed that way!
While awaiting for the parent’s return, I continued knitting a new project that I had cast-on that day. It’s a reversible scarf. A bit more complicated of a feat, but results with a more rewarding product! I had studied a similar scarf on the cruise boat and was motivated to give it a try… just as I was motivated to give babysitting toddlers a try. I’ll do it again before I leave as I know the parents really appreciate having a date night. I love date nights!
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