Midnight Chicken

One of the best books we read after Gabe was born is called Babyproofing Your Marriage. It's a hysterical collection of interviews and responses compiled by three friends. They aren't doctors or parenting experts...just Mama's who noticed they'd shared a number of experiences after their children were born.

They also have wonderful names for some of the things that happen between a husband and a wife once a peanut makes his or her debut. For example, Midnight Chicken. Tim and I played a great game of MC last night.

Lily woke up around 4:30 - not too bad considering she last ate around 10:00. We both heard her, but we also both pretended to be sleeping. If you're already a Mama, you understand. If you're not yet a Mama, don't judge me...just wait! The game is played by seeing who can pretend to be sleeping longer so that their spouse will be the one to get up with the baby. Tim almost always wins - I usually give in after a few minutes, while he is the World Cup Champion of Midnight Chicken, even throwing in some fake snoring for extra effect.

In all fairness, I was a much better competitor before Lily was born. If Gabe cried for a while, he wouldn't wake anyone else up. If Lily gets fired up, we not only have to deal with an infant, we have to deal with a tired toddler.