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| Maxin’ and relaxin’. Circa 1988. |
Last night, I babysat for our neighbor’s sleeping toddler. Nora does NOT know about my evening’s whereabouts and, since their Emily is her BFFAEEMTMWYNT (Best friend forever and ever ever, Mom, take me with you next time), she will NEVER know. The Coopers and the Schoenys do a childcare swap every now and again. And it’s amazing. Because, for real? I have going-out needs. So do the Coopers. But I imagine that they have the same kinda We Should Prolly Pay These Bills needs, too. It’s a truly great arrangement, except for the one teensy annoying detail of We Can Never Go Out With The Coopers. Who are our only friends in the neighborhood, unless you count the drunken dude on my stoop.
Which I do not.
Back to my evening of babysitting. Susannah stayed home with Peej and Nora since she fell asleep right after dinner. Plus, I didn’t want to deprive P.J. of that all-too-critical 3 month-old and Dad bonding time between the hours of 7 and 11pm.
So I was alone. On a couch, with tons of projects that I didn’t even HAVE to do if I didn’t feel like it, and the knowledge that my arms were free to flail about (at any time!) because I was not laden down with any person, toddler, or baby of my very own…
…And since their kiddo is quite possibly the easiest child ever EVER ever, well, I kinda felt like I hit the luxury jackpot.
I finished my thank you notes. (God, I’m boring MYSELF right now.)
Got a little writing done.
Rendezvoused with Professor Layton and my old pal the DS.
Spent a little more time flailing my arms.
Hydrated. (See? Who SAYS I people can’t follow through on New Year’s Resolutions?)
Leaned back on my arms- which one CANNOT do whilst holding a child of any size.
And then wondered if Suzy was eating okay. And if Nora was feeling better from the previous day’s awful cold. Speculated on whether or not P.J. was watching something on Netflix- and if it was something we were gonna see together. These kind of thoughts can quickly derail the spa-like effect of laying still by oneself.
I overcame and was victorious. It was an incredibly relaxing evening.
Unless you’re P.J., reading this at this very moment. Then, I am exhausted from the trials and tribulations of childcare.
But if you’re Tim and Angie- can you go out again tonight?
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