Mama Needs A Minute - February (Prepping for a much needed trip)
6:30AM flight out of Atlanta - Let me just say there weren’t many people at the airport that early. However, getting up at 2:40AM was pretty tough!
The hubby and I were lucky enough to have the opportunity to get a few days away from the kiddos. The weeks leading up to this trip were very stressful - if any mamas can relate getting everything ready not only for yourself (planning and packing - the errands!). Then you also have to think about the kiddos - what are they going to need for their day-to-day lives to continue uninterrupted as you tiptoe to the door for that much needed “minute” to try to remember who you were before you became who you are!
Both girls had school, gymnastics, and dance. This week also brings Valentine parties and 100 days at school. So there was so much laundry and outfit planning getting everything ready. And, of course, one girl comes down with her second ear in two months - yay! So instructions left for the behind included not only running them all over the city and dressing them special for multiple extras, but making sure antibiotics and ibuprofen were on hand. When I say we could not have our girls in better hands, that does not do our nanny justice. She is one who can step in and totally get it done. I honestly don’t have to worry about anything, but I’m a mom leaving a 5yr old and a 2yr old for 5 days - I’m going to worry about everything!
Plus, this trip includes two places I have never been to before and it’s going to be during the Winter! As a Southern girl, the thought of snow, ice, and wind both fascinates and scares me since I don’t have much experience with any of it. This means research and planning - the hours I’ve spent Googling winter weather in Boston, MA and Reykavik, Iceland have made for less sleep. A coat alone was one of the hardest decisions I’ve made recently! As a plus sized woman, the options available that had the features I needed were impossible to find locally - hello internet clothing shopping! The joys of spending money on bulky winter clothing and just feeling like a potato!
Final decisions were made and final errands were taken care of and the time to say bye to the girls was looming! There were tears from both girls this time as we explained we were leaving - lots of ‘Why?’s and “I don’t want you to go!’s. They gave Daddy hugs and kisses goodnight and we gathered stuffies and blankets to go to bed. I’m usually pretty fast at bedtime - each girl picks out her clothes for the next day, I sing a couple of songs, cover them up, and then close the door after kisses. I let this bedtime linger a little longer - getting a few more cuddles and kisses as we sat together - just the three of us.
Of course they asked if we were bringing them back something!!
