COVID-19 Log

It's been three weeks now that I've been home with our ten-week-old and our four-year-old while Laura has been providing childcare for children with parents in the critical sectors. Shelter-in-place started this past Friday night, but before that things were pretty similar. Schools and many businesses were closed.

While inconvenient, the restrictions put in place will mitigate the rapidity with which COVID-19 spreads. This will help prevent ICU capacities to be reached as soon and will potentially save many lives.

I've been enjoying my extra time at home more than I thought I would. I was a little nervous about taking care of two kiddos all day by myself. I know some parents have three, four, or more children, but watching two kids when at times one was difficult, had me a little stressed.

Thankfully, it's gone well. The ten-week-old has been a pretty easy baby. I go through the trifecta—is her diaper dry? Has she eaten? Is she tired—and if all those bases are covered, we're usually good.

The four-year-old has also been pretty mellow. We made a pictorial schedule for his day, so he does things like art and writing, blocks, kid yoga, and playing with his sister and me.

Cosmic Kids Yoga

I'm still on a sabbatical from running. Unfortunately, after a long walk yesterday, my ankle was a little sore. I'm now considering taking a full six weeks off from running instead of a month. It's looking like there won't be spring races anyway, so I might as well heal up as much as possible. Besides, the other day I got in a bike ride, and with the weather continuing to get nicer, I should be able to get in more rides in the near future.

While this COVID-19 pandemic has been disruptive and tragic for many, there have definitely been bright spots for me. I've been spending lots of time with my kids, and my relationship with my four-year-old has definitely grown as I've been playing "superheroes" and "submarine" for a couple hours every day.

Since I'm not running, I'm going for walks,which means I don't have to worry about timing my eating—I can go from dinner right to walking.

Artwork in Central Park as seen from a walk

So, as we continue in this time of social distancing, I'll continue to count my blessing rather than mourn the loss of life before the pandemic, enjoying the extra time with the family and looking forward, but not longing for, the time when this is over.