Parenting: The Real Endurance Sport

Steph was out with Audra for several hours today, along with Steph’s mom.

So that meant Ayla and I were on our own together. This would be our longest stint with one-on-one time since she was born two months ago.

I was nervous like it was race day.

Steph prepped warm bottles of milk, which were helpful. Pacifiers were strategically placed around the house like special needs bags on a race course.

The door closed. Ayla looked at me. I looked at her.

The proverbial starting gun boomed.

The next five hours were a blur between sprints to appease, technical sections where keeping quiet was a must. and pure chaos where hanging on was all that mattered.

I may have pulled a hamstring at the four-hour mark.

But personal bests were had. I’m the first in the family to get Ayla to sleep on her stomach, let alone stay on her stomach for 40 minutes.

Take that, Perfect Wife!

I might also be the first dad to use Post Malone’s “Circles” as a lullaby.

Steph and crew mercifully came home in the afternoon as promised. I was relieved that Ayla was unharmed and in good spirits. Her diaper was clean, she was well-fed and somewhat rested.

I survived.

No medals. Just memories. And a nice baby sleeping PR.

A parental podium.