I am hesitant to even write this post because I don't want to jinx it, but something is definitely different about this week. Everly seems to be finding a rhythm and our lives are starting to feel somewhat (dare I say) normal again. She hasn't been nearly as fussy the past week and as a result this has given us the courage to go out in public with her. This makes me very happy because turning into a hermit family was not at all what I had envisioned when we decided to start a family.
Our adventures started with a simple walk to Starbucks (yes, after 36 years I have started drinking coffee), with a side trip to my favorite little boutique Veronica M. Now granted, Everly was sleeping in the Baby Bjorn the entire time, but in my book that still counts as a victory. Maybe it is because I am a first time parent but the thought of going out of the house with Everly alone terrifies me. I am not sure why I am nervous about her having a melt down in public because I know it is bound to happen sooner or later. Plus, I figure that since I have been observing and listening to other people's kids wreak havoc on a quiet restaurant or over crowded airplane for years it is our time to shine now. :) Just kidding...one thing you can always count on with us is that we will NEVER be those parents who sit back and pretend to be oblivious to the fact that our child is terrorizing an entire room with a screaming fit or inappropriate behavior (like crawling all over the floor at a restaurant or talking/screaming during a movie). I am wise enough to know that ALL children (even our sweet little Everly) will melt or misbehave at some point or another when we are out and about, but I refuse to let that behavior disrupt or ruin other people's experiences in a public place. If we can't get it together then rest assured that we will pack it up and leave.
After my mini-victory with the Starbucks trip, Danny and I decided that this weekend we would leave the comforts of our family room and become active members of society again. Our Saturday afternoon adventures included a trip to the pumpkin patch and ended with a late lunch at the Grove. Everly was awake while we were at the pumpkin patch but dozed off shortly after we got back in the car to drive to the Grove. By the time we arrived at the restaurant she was in dreamland which made me a little more comfortable when we sat down to order. We made it through an entire lunch without any hiccups. She slept the entire time in her car seat! We even watched some football and enjoyed an adult beverage. It was nice. I beamed with pride as I looked across the booth at Danny and Everly. I remember thinking, "I am so proud of my little family."
Since Saturday was such a huge success, we got brave and took our little angel to church on Sunday, followed up with a trip to Denny's for breakfast. Everly slept soundly throughout the entire church service, cooing at times and even opening her eyes for a brief second when she heard the Hallelujah song that she always danced to when she was in my tummy. At one point Danny asked me if I wanted him to hold her and I told him that I was OK. There was no way I was going to give her up before we went to Communion. Ever since I was a little girl I have watched new mothers carry their new babies up to Communion at church and I could not wait to walk Everly up that aisle for her first blessing.The gratitude and joy I felt as I walked with her to the front of the church is hard to describe. At that moment everything in my life felt complete. I thought I was happy and complete before Everly, but now I know that was not entirely true. Everly has added a new level of love and happiness to our lives that we never could have dreamed of before her arrival.
Danny and I both thrive on routines and we enjoy creating little "traditions" that we can look forward to in our lives. Before Everly was born we went to church every Sunday and after church we always went out for breakfast. We are both creatures of habit, so after trying many overpriced brunches and fancy schmancy cafes (all with sub-par food), we soon found ourselves going back to Denny's each week for our weekly breakfast treat. The food is good and cheap, and the atmosphere is about as non-pretentious as you can get. Since we made it through an entire church service without any outbursts, we were a little hesitant to tempt fate and go out for breakfast too but we figured, "what the heck", let's just roll with it. By the time we got in the car after church Everly was good and awake (and starting to get a little fussy). Since it was about time for her to eat we fixed a bottle and took it into the restaurant with us. This calmed her down immediately and we were able to get through another meal (with her awake this time) without any problems. Since Danny has mastered the one armed multi-task challenges, he fed her while I assisted with tasks like cutting the waffles and putting ketchup on the hash browns. What a team! :)
I cannot even begin to describe how happy it makes me to be a part of society again. I have always been a social person and I enjoy getting out of the house. If I had to guess, I think Everly is going to be the same way. I know this weekend is the first of many exciting weekends with my little family. I can hardly wait for all the adventures in our future. Look out world...here we come!
P.S. - On a side note, Everly has also decided this week that bath time is not such a bad thing after all. This brings me such happiness and relief. I kept telling her that no one likes the stinky kid on the playground so it looks like we might have avoided the nickname "Pig Pen". :)
No comments:
Post a Comment