My husband had a birthday this weekend. Turned the big 3-0.
His birthday happens to fall during March Break, which happens to be holiday time for a teacher like me. Because of this, we have spent seven of hubby’s birthdays at some exotic destination- sipping Mai Tai’s on the beach at numerous hot spots. It has been great. But this year, with the addition of a lovely little boy and a new job for hubby, a week away just didn’t feel right. Instead, we opted for our first whole night away from The Boy…
Going into this, I knew it was going to be hard for me. Since I’ve had The Boy, we have spent only a few hours apart at a time. But, as I have mentioned before, he will be starting daycare within a month and needs to get used to being away from me. And, much to my secret disappointment, he doesn’t seem to mind at all.
On the other hand, I mind a ton. I miss him even if I’m gone for an hour. Even if he’s napping during that hour and doesn’t know I’m gone.
I won’t lie. The days leading up to our big night away, I was sick to my stomach about leaving The Boy. My sister and mom were going to be looking after him. He LOVES them to bits and they know exactly what to do with him. But I was worried nonetheless. “What ifs” floated around in my head and I pictured him crying for 24 hours straight, searching our house for his mommy.
Never happened. In fact, I was the only one crying when we left our house Friday afternoon. The Boy was busy kicking a ball around with his Aunty. I called the house when we got to the hotel to “give them the room number”- and he was laughing in the background. And, because I had promised hubby that I wouldn’t keep calling, I sent numerous texts only to receive word that he had gone to bed like a champ and was sleeping soundly.
In the end, much to my surprise, I had a great time too. Although we got killed in the Raptors game (I think we lost by close to 30 point…ick), we had a ton of fun, had a great dinner at
Baton Rouge (best ribs ever) and a fabulous night’s stay in a suite at the Hilton hotel, with a great view from our 31st floor window. I still woke up a few times at night thinking I heard my baby, and I still woke up at our normal 7am wake time, but it was nice to make a coffee and lounge in our king-sized bed while reading the paper. Small luxuries are sometimes the best.
When it was all said and done, though, I couldn’t wait to get home to The Boy. And the big hug I got reassured me that he really is ok without his mommy…but I doubt I’ll be going away without him again for a little while. Just too hard on my heart. Hubby and I agreed that our next mini-vacation will include The Boy!
I have had three nights away from my boy over the last nine months. All three times I was at home when he had a sleepover elsewhere. It’s the strangest thing moving around the house and not tiptoeing to avoid waking him up.
I too woke up at the same time – and I missed him to pieces. But oh, to be a grown-up again 🙂
Sounds lovely! I know what you were feeling, but i think it’s so important to get that alone time to sleep and breeaaattthe!