Don’t be alarmed, Susan is well and alive. However, she left me recently to go on a business trip to Orlando from Monday through Thursday. So, I was single parent for a few days. As you can imagine, I went into this experience with mixed emotions. After some thought around how to organize my new schedule, the project manager in me took over and I developed a highly efficient daily process that looked something like this:

1. ‣Between 4 and 5 AM: Let Shmoo wake me up for a quick feeding 5 ounce feeding from an already prepared bottle.
   

2. ‣5:45 AM: Get up, do my abbreviated morning routine. Change Shmoo, grab prefilled bottles and a change of clothes for the day.
   

3. ‣6:45 AM sharp: Leave the house for Fountain Valley
   

4. ‣7:00 AM: Drop off Shmoo and supplies at the Changs
   

5. ‣7:20 AM: Arrive at work, 25 mins ahead of my regular schedule.
   

6. ‣5:30 PM: Leave work for Fountain Valley, fight traffic.
   

7. ‣6:15ish PM: Pick up Shmoo and dirty bottles, clothes, get download on feeding and sleeping times.
   

8. ‣6:45 PM: Arrive home, play for a few mins, feed him vitamins; bathe the bear if needed, change him.
   

9. ‣7:25 PM: Quick feeding (topping him off) and put him down for the night.
   

10. ‣7:45 PM: Wash bottles, thaw milk for he next day. Shower.
    

11. ‣9:00 PM: Relax
    

12. ‣10:00 PM: Bed time
    

Suffice it to say, I had it down to a science and the bear was fine with this as well. Sure, I’m glad Susan is back, but I can say I did it. Yes, I can!