Someone Give This Guy A Hand

When babies are really small they can be held entirely in one hand. After seeing an older baby, especially your own, it's hard to remember them being so small. Once they can hold their head up by themselves a baby will sit on your hip and look around - you don't need to be a redneck woman to enjoy that. Am I right?!!

I find myself holding a baby in one arm quite often. It's winding down as Hugh gets older and walks around more, but there are many times when he wants to be held and I still want to do something else. It's a real parenting dilemma - there is always something else to do!

So to bring back memories for experienced parents or to help in training you parents-to-be, here's a list of my top five one handed actions as a parent (in order of increasing difficulty).

• Typing

I kind of type for a living, but it is much easier with two hands. Practice up - blog comments and Facebook updates don't type themselves!

• Opening/Closing a ziplock bag

We made a lot of our own baby food and stored them in freezer bags when Hugh was little, these days it is animal or Graham crackers. Opening is harder than closing for me.

• Find house key after getting out of the car

Unless you don't lock your front door, I hope you know your key order. Using your mouth helps on this one.

• Opening/Closing a baby food jar

I've only managed a fresh jar a small number of times in my life. Finger exercises are recommended.

• Opening microwave with full cup of milk

Hugh gets a cup of milk before naps or bed and we warm it so it's not really cold from the fridge. Pouring the milk is easy. I've tried a zillion times holding the near-full cup of milk and opening the fridge with the same arm and every time some spills over the edge. Why are the springs on the door so hard?!!

Good luck, you single-armed heros. May your kids cry and whine less while being held, as you carry your disproportional biceps as a badge of honor : )