"Me" Time

My husband and I recently took our first overnight trip together post-baby. At 16 months old, our baby isn't so much a baby anymore, though. I knew it would be emotionally difficult for me, because, again, this was the first time that both Mommy and Daddy would be gone ALL NIGHT. Luckily, my own mother drove 7+ hours from Illinois just to give us the gift of a night away. It made it much easier for me knowing that Drew was in his own house sleeping in his own bed with all of his own things in their regular spots. Some people might be thinking--wow, 16 months and you haven't left your child for even one night yet--that's a little extreme. Others might be thinking--wow, 16 months--I could never leave my child that young. My own mom didn't leave me even one time overnight until she was in the hospital giving birth to my sister...almost five years to the day that I had been born. So we all have our own ways of doing things and like I tell other friends expecting for the first time: you have to do what feels right to you. Lots of people are ready to offer their advice--sometimes you'll shake your head in acknowledgment knowing that their "expertise" will never come in handy for you. Sometimes you'll want to take out a pad of paper and a pencil because everything that the person is saying feels like just what you need. But I digress...

So off to Chicago my husband and I went--on the train. Ridin' the rails. How lovely it was that neither of us had the stress of driving, especially in Chicago traffic. Nor did we have to pay for parking at our hotel, which usually involves either expensive valet service at the rate of $50 per day--or a parking garage several blocks away which still runs $25 or more. Not to mention navigating a city that neither of us knows well. And once there, you don't need a car anyway. I had ridden the train to Chicago before, but I had forgotten how very easy and relaxing it is. There is SO MUCH room. Even my 6'4" husband had plenty of room to stretch out. Also, there is quite a lack of "red tape" to go through to get on the train--no security checks, long lines, etc. Your luggage is either with you or a few feet away. It's almost scary to think of how loose on security it is, so I try not to think about it. I don't know how long that will go on, but it's nice while it lasts. As we waited for the train to arrive and heard its whistle signaling its near proximity, I fantasized that it was 100 years earlier and I was wearing a petticoat and Mike was wearing a suit and hat. I refrained from snapping any pictures as the train arrived lest I really look like a tourist.

We stayed downtown on Michigan Avenue within a few blocks of where the Magnificent Mile shopping began in one direction and a few blocks from Millenium Park in the other direction. We arrived with no set plans about what activities we would do so we window-shopped on the first day, went out to a nice Italian dinner in the evening, and marveled at the art in Millenium Park in the evening. It is a very strange feeling to be able to come and go as you please with no worries about a little one. I had to restrain myself from calling home too much, but it wasn't difficult because each time I did call Drew was doing wonderfully, and Grandma sounded like she was having fun, so I relaxed more and more. On our second day, we visited the Museum of Science and Industry in the morning and Shedd's Aquarium in the afternoon. I've had enough musuems for a while.

During our trip we marveled at the skyscrapers, noting how urban Grand Rapids' skyline had appeared until we came to Chicago. I'm sure it was easy to pick us out as tourists given that we walked with our eyes to the sky for the majority of the trip. I love to get away to urban areas, to get myself a little culture, but I am always thankful that the hustle-and-bustle, bus fumes, and stopped traffic are not my way of life. I was also fascinated that Mike mentioned on several occasions how fun whatever we were doing at the time (riding train, staying in swanky hotel, eating in fine restaurant, exploring museum) would be for our kids when they are a little older. It's a given that Mike will introduce our children to nature, fishing, camping, hunting, etc. as early as he possibly can, so I'm so glad that my outdoorsman husband is excited to expose our kids to the city someday. How awesome that he realizes the importance of teaching that there are more ways to live than what we find in West Michigan.

By the time we got on the train in the evening of our second day, I thought my feet were going to fall off. It has been a long time since I've stood for such extended periods of time and walked so far in two days. But luckily, it was time to stretch out and enjoy the scenery for our trip home. By the time we arrived, Drew had been fast asleep for a few hours. Being in his presence, I felt complete. I think back to pre-pregnancy and the travel I used to do. Traveling abroad with students, a "girls weekend" here and there, a summer roadtrip with my husband, and my annual spring break cruises with my mom--these were all things that used to be major priorities. I used to say--oh, I'll never give up "me" time. I'm not going to be one of "those" mothers. Of course I'll still go on spring break. Drew can stay with Grandma for a week. Oops. I was wrong. My "me" time now consists of grocery shopping, going to the gym, or when I really spoil myself: dinner out with a girlfriend. Maybe not as glamorous, but there will be time for more exciting travels someday. Of course I miss those experiences, but oh how I would miss my time with my son so much more.