Since Walt has started on solids, we’ve had to make the move from the couch towards the dining room table where his highchair resides. This has made mealtime a much more official and formal affair. So, whereas before Ryan and I would watch our favourite download while lazing about the computer (classy!), now we find ourselves eating with napkins and conversation. I won’t lie–I found this a bit daunting. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to pull together 22 minutes of conversation.
Now, Ryan and I do talk. Every morning we will sit for up to an hour (hello, unemployment), listening to CBC, drinking coffee, and chatting. But this is the morning where, if I find myself with no opinion of the news, I can simply share with Ryan any one of my many dreams from the night before. 2 nights ago the dream involved Fidel Castro and a group of people dressed as traditional mounties.
The first few dinners were a bit rough since Ryan and I talk throughout the day, thus I didn’t have much to “report.” Luckily we have an idiot a baby sitting with us that we can mock discuss. And then I remembered! The real reason that people have babies is to have something in common! (Just like the real reason people make babies is for something to do!). So Ryan and I were saved. When the conversation lulled, we would turn our attention to Walt and make some type of joke at his expense. Our baby might end up having low self worth, but Ryan and I are proud of our witty dinner conversation.
Now with a bit of practice we have more to say to each other at dinner. Sometimes, in the morning, I’ll even start to tell Ryan something but then stop myself so that I don’t use up all my good material before dinner. And sometimes I just pick a fight so that I can draw from my reserve of inconsequential personal slights. And sometimes I have a legitimate opinion about, I don’t know, the world or politics or something.
Oh and the answer to the obvious question: Yes, wine helps too. In both having and making babies.
Tags: babies, dreams, family dinner, Fidel Castro, table manners
