What Used to be ‘Normal’, Just Felt Different

Earlier this summer my mom called to say that she and dad wanted to find an evening to take Hannah so that I could go out.  I didn’t need to clean the house (even though it desperately needs it), it was just a night for me to go out and have some fun.  You know me well and know that I have a ton of fun with Hannah but there are a few things that just aren’t quite possible with an oh-so-adorable 2yo by your side.

So, last night was the night.  Wednesday AM mom had called and said that she and dad wanted to watch Hannah either Thurs or Fri night if either of those worked for me.  I chose Friday.

When we were preparing to go to Bonnie’s in the morning I was packing a 2nd bag alongside her daycare bag.  This one contained diapers, a night time diaper, pj’s as well as her swim stuff.  As we went through our morning routine we talked about Grandma picking her up at daycare and she was excited!  Hannah absolutely adores her grandparents and loves spending time with them!  They’re pretty crazy about her too! 

Fast forward to Friday at 4:30 when I walked out of my office building.  Suddenly I was overcome with a feeling of emptiness.  It was so weird as I hadn’t really anticipated feeling this way.  Each day as I leave the office I’m hurrying home to be with Hannah and last night that wasn’t the case.  It hit me that for the first time ever I had said good-bye to her at 8:30 in the morning and then next time I would see her she would probably be asleep for the night.  I was glad she had time with Grandma and Grandpa and I had lots planned to fill my evening but still there was a void. 

I gave myself a talking to and quickly realized that even though I love my kiddo to pieces, a few hours to get things done on my own was going to be very helpful. I talked with mom just before she picked up Hannah and asked her to give her a big hug and kiss for me.  I was missing my baby girl desperately!  I wanted to talk to her too but specifically chose to call her before Mom picked her up as sometimes talking to me when we’re apart upsets her.  Mom and Dad babysit her 1 evening a week during the school year so that I can teach piano in our home and when I’ve tried talking to Hannah she normally ends up in tears, asking for me to come to her.  I didn’t want to upset her so didn’t talk to her last night.  That was t.o.u.g.h!

I headed home from the office and ate a quick supper before going fridge shopping.  Fun, eh?!  I sure know how to live it up when I have the time!  :o)  My fridge is still working and hasn’t changed since the first little issue earlier this year.  I think the biggest thing holding me back from buying a new fridge is that they say the newer models just don’t last the way the older ones do.  Even though my current fridge is 14yo it still works just fine, as long as you don’t mind listening to a couple of minutes of dripping noises once or twice a day and it’s on the noisier side.   Do I want to purchase a new fridge that may only last me 5 – 10 years when I don’t really have to?  Still thinking about it as you can tell.

The second part of the evening I met my SIL Trish and we went to see an AMAZING movie together!  We went to see ‘The Help’ and I cannot say enough about it.  It was eye-opening, challenging, had me laughing so hard at times and crying at others.  I would highly recommend this movie to everyone!!  Has anyone else seen it? 

When the movie ended Trish and I chatted about it for a few minutes and then said good-bye.  I was on fast forward to my little girl!   When I arrived at Mom and Dad’s I found out that she was sleeping peacefully and truly, that’s a great thing!  They’d shared a fun evening together going to a park, throwing stones in the lake, eating supper, playing, reading and when it was time Mom fed her her bottle and she drifted off to sleep.  This makes me feel so good as the last time I left her she was still awake at midnight watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse when I got home!  Oops!  I have a wedding to attend in about a month and a half so I’m so glad that she did so well going to sleep at Mom and Dad’s! 

So all in all my evening was wonderful, especially since it ended up with Hannah in Mommy’s arms, the very best way to end a day.  Today we spent the entire day together which is a really good thing too.  A day apart is much easier when the next day we get to spend all of it together!