One week in… - #3, #4, #5
Sunday Snuggles
Well, we made it. The end of the fifth day of quarantine. The end of the first weekend. We’re still here.
How is everyone? If you’re like me, this really is a day-by-day situation. Wednesday I was good, Thursday I was not good. Friday and this weekend have been fine, despite all that has transpired and changed in just a few days.
Since Friday, Illinois has enacted an official “Shelter-in-Place” policy that officially began on Saturday at 5pm. Anything not deemed an “essential” business—think food, gas, hospitals and pharmacies—is closed and we are supposed to stay at home. We are allowed to be outside, so long as you practice social distancing. The boys school has remained open, but we received official word today that they are closed until at least April 7. I’m actually thankful for that, honestly, because it removes the temptation of wanting to to send the boys over.
This weekend was good—it almost felt normal. We are usually pretty active on the weekends, so the difference this weekend was that instead of going to a place indoors, we kept all of our adventures outside.
We had to get a few essentials at the store—milk, bread, Uncrustables—so I ventured out to the dollar store to look for them. I found most of what I needed, and grabbed some things like puzzles, paint, modeling clay, slime, etc. I figure that will keep us busy…at least this week. I’ve never been more thankful for buying so much shit for these two. For example, on Friday, I discovered a “Sight Words” coloring book that Santa brought Liam, plus three Melissa & Doug workbooks that he also brought Connor. Perfect! We also played up in our (mostly unused) toy room on Saturday and the boys were entertained for hours with toys we haven’t looked at in forever.
On Friday, the boys and I went on a bike ride/scooter/walk and we went past their school. We waved and Liam’s teacher came out to say hi. We had to go back to drop off a check later that afternoon, and she gave us some of his items—some activities, his journal, some “homework” —and we’re thankful for that.
We also managed to give the boys much needed haircuts. By “we,” I mean Bryan. I’m actually super impressed with his work! Both boys look fresh and clean and they loved having Daddy do that for them.
On Friday afternoon and Saturday night, I had two virtual meet-ups with friends. A former co-worker and friend had her last day of work on Friday, so a few us met up for a going away happy hour. I hadn’t talked to a few of them much since my layoff, so it was really good to see their faces! Then last night, I got together with my best girls and we chatted and drank too much wine for a couple hours. Both were much needed.
Saturday night, we gathered with our neighbors on our rootops in our complex and we were supposed to have a sing-a-long with the rest of Chicago to “Livin’ on a prayer,” We really just danced and waved to each other and the kids all yelled. These poor kids. I know all of us are having a tough time, but our little people have such big feelings right now. It has to be so hard for them.
I’m honestly super proud of my boys. Connor wakes up every day and asks, “What we gonna do today, Mommy?” and every night before bed he says, “What we do today, Mommy?” It makes me feel good that at the beginning and end of each day, I can list any number of things, big or small, and when I ask if he had a good day, he says, “Yes, Mommy.”
Personally, I”m doing OK. Still having a really hard time grasping the severity of what’s going on. It feels weird to go out to the grocery and see so many people there. It feels like any other shopping trip. But then everywhere else, it’s just so quiet. Especially for a big city like Chicago.
I’m proud to report I’m drinking more water (though still not enough). I’m also drinking too much wine, so…there’s that. We have gotten outside every day. We’ve been creative each day. Tomorrow, I start working out again.
Ultimately, we’re just doing the best we can, much like everyone else. Not thriving…just surviving. We don’t know how long this is going to be like this, so for now, it’s our new normal. Here’s to a new week of figuring shit out.
Stay safe and healthy.
XOXO