I am far from being the perfect mom. I've never claimed it to be so, and I think both the boys and Brad would agree with me. But there is something so very frustrating about being unable to accomplish something during the day only to have my husband come home, and upon shedding his tie and donning his Superdad cape, he's able to do what I was unable to do all day long.
For me, most usually the thing I'm unable to do is tame Reed. And by "tame" I mean put to sleep. He's a very sensitive kid (my, who are earth did he inherit that from???) and is apparently very particular about the who's and how's of falling asleep. It's one of those things I have to time absolutely perfectly in order for everything to fall into place without incident. Typically, however, my stress, frustration, and fatigue all get the best of me and I am unable to accomplish this seemingly simple task without some kind of kicking, screaming and crying (for both Reed and for me!).
In sweeps Superdad, who is able to grab Reed out of my hands, and in nothing short of two minutes, able to put him into a peaceful slumber.
Thankful? I suppose.
A bit peeved? Yup.
It's kind of like loosening the lid on the pickle jar before handing it over for someone else to open.
Let me illustrate....
Exhibit A: In the morning, if Drew isn't up when I'm finished feeding Reed, I'll bring him into bed with Brad while I get ready for the day. Usually this is what occurs: Reed plays with some toys, then thinks, "My, I'm quite tired," wherein he simply lays his weary head down on Brad's shoulder.
Exhibit B: I have no idea what happened here. I was upstairs tucking in Drew and came back down to find this. NOTE: Exhibit A and Exhibit B occurred on the
same day!
Exhibit C: This is the normal. I'll be cooking dinner, or doing something with Drew, or some other motherly task, and Brad will sit with Reed. When I come back into the room, this is how I find them.
No effort. No struggle. No kicking, screaming, scratching or biting.
NO FAIR!
Reed is certainly a Daddy's boy. And I'm really OK with that. Really. But is it too much to ask for Reed to like me just a little bit? :)
Note my expression. This is at the base of Telegraph Hill, which is the home to Coit Tower. This would come to be known as Public Transportation Snafu #3. We were looking for bus 39 to take us to the top. Needless to say, that bus wasn't found until it was time to come back down. So we walked, hiked, huffed, and puffed to the top, which actually wouldn't have been so bad had we not already circled around the tower by about 20 city blocks! At this point, I was pretty, um, how do you say, upset?!?!
The inside of Coit Tower was covered in beautiful murals.
Thankfully the stairs were closed, so we had to take the elevator to the top! :)
I guess I had perked up by the time we reached the top of the tower.
A view of the city from the top of the tower (we have several other photos as you can get a beautiful 360 degree view of the city).
The bottom of Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world.
One of the houses on Lombard Street (there was even one for sale...I wonder how much??).
Lombard Street was lined with these beautiful hydrangeas. In November!
Finally getting to hang on the outside of a cable car!
We passed this cable car, packed full with the University of California's pep band.
Yet another way to travel through the city - historic street cars.
The Golden Gate Bridge...
...again...
...and again. We took a boat tour that traveled out underneath the bridge and around Alcatraz.
Alcatraz.
The other side of Alcatraz.
A view of the guards' quarters at Alcatraz.
Pier 39 getting ready for Christmas.
If you need one single reason to visit San Francisco, it is this city block of chocolate heaven!
I had never spent $8 before for an ice cream sundae, but with Ghiradelli chocolate, it was good to the very last lick (and worth every penny)!
Chocolate in the making.
California palm trees.
Home of the San Francisco Giants.
Getting as close as he possibly can without getting arrested.
Where the homeruns go.
The Bay Bridge, connecting San Francisco with Oakland.
Enjoying his In-n-Out Burger.
