Slumber Party

It is 8:01 am as I greet you this morning. This time of day is often quiet in our house, as Eden normally wakes up somewhere between 8:30 and 9. (I know, I know... I lucked out with that one.) Today it is quiet because Eden spent last night at Aunt Megan and Uncle Avery's house, a month-old birthday present for me from my sister. Derek and I dropped her off after her nap yesterday afternoon, laden with toys, babies, sippies, a pack n' play, diapers, jammies... every toddler essential in tow, including mama's many instructions and hints. Megan knows Eden so well, she probably didn't need to hear half of my incessant babbling, but at the very least, she now knows (after having her own little babe) why I had to keep talking, and that I couldn't have stopped if I tried.

Derek and I went on an easy, laid back date to Grandville, where we first browsed around the mall lazily without a stroller or toddler temperament to worry about. I found a pair of shoes to match Eden's birthday party dress, which I've been hunting for weeks, so I was more than happy with our solitary purchase. We followed up the mall with dinner at the Olive Garden. I feel a bit sheepish that we waited 45 minutes for a table at a chain restaurant, but it had been a long time since either of us had eaten there and we were not disappointed. And, as I pointed out to Derek, even the ability to wait 45 minutes is a luxury in itself, when there's no need to entertain and keep quiet anyone but ourselves. :) On the drive home, we reveled in the ability to go straight home without hassling with waking up a child, folding and hauling a pack n' play, etc. etc. We got home and reveled in walking into the house carrying ONLY a styrofoam to-go box and in stomping up the stairs without fear of waking anyone. And this morning, after a full night's sleep without having to find anyone's binky behind the crib, Derek and I are enjoying our coffee without a time limit other than church in two hours. Okay, so there's the happy part of it.

I can't wait to get my Eden back. (I've blogged on this subject before- last summer, when my parents had Eden overnight so I could shoot a wedding without having to drive out to Sandy Pines to pick her up at midnight. So sorry if this sounds repetitive... it probably is.) It's nice to get glimpses of a former, more carefree existence of worrying only about myself and what I'd have for dinner, and I am THANKFUL for the opportunity to spend some quality time with my sweet husband, especially as we're looking at a doubling of the kiddo-load coming up the pike. But I *love* my job. I know it's important to get away here and there to get perspective and reconnect with another part of me that can get lost (if temporarily) in the day-to-day of mamahood, but each time I do, I'm just anxious to get that hip monkey back on my hip where she belongs. :)

(**Now Megan, you know I loved my gift, right?! I want to disclaim any semblance to a complaint this post might be exhibiting and tell you that I NEEDED this! It simply points out to me that my role as Eden's mama is my favorite thing, pure and simple. Well, next to being Derek's wife. I just want to make sure you know how thankful we are, not only for our sake, but for Eden's! I'm sure she had a blast playing with baby Deh-Dess and wrapping Uncle Ave around her little finger. You guys are the best! Oh and p.s. My hair looks rad, thanks again. I can tell it's getting into spring when I start to think about bright color swaths again...**)

Whew. So now it's on to a relatively full day. Derek has the day off AGAIN, making this an actual, normal, bonafide WEEKEND for us. This is an incredible feat in the retail world! We will head to church in a little while, followed by picking up Eden Johanna (yay!) and dinner at my mom and dad's, then home to hang out with Derek's sister Mandy for a while before we meet up with our small group tonight. Now it's off to hunt down and devour the Target ad...