Sunday, February 25, 2007

Celebrate Freedom!

I've noticed the winds of change blowing in blogger world for some of my friends. Several have reached the one year mark for their LID's. Next month will be nine months down for me. I've seen more of an acceptance with this wait. A kind of peace with it. Not so much stress and sadness. This is a good thing. I am very much an optimist. I've always tried to view this wait as positively as I can. I see it as a blessing in many ways. I know that my baby IS on her way. I know that my life will drastically change when she gets here. And I'll welcome this new lifestyle.

But in knowing that my complete sense of freedom is coming to an end, I've learned to appreciate it so much more. Right now I can still be spontaneous and crazy. I can go away for the weekend at the drop of a hat without worrying about babysitters or if my daughter will be able to handle the trip. I can enjoy the quiet because pretty soon I won't have much. I can sleep late and take long, leisurely bubble baths because pretty soon I'll be sleep deprived and will no longer pee alone..... ever again. I can spend time with my girlfriends and have a few cocktails. And if we're still having good conversation at midnight, I can stay until 4am and finish it if I want to. I can go to the grocery store or to get my nails done with no prior planning, packing a diaper bag, or awareness of time management to accomodate nap or poop schedules. I can shop for hours without having to drag a giant stroller through the aisles. Or deal with a little one getting fussy, having a meltdown, pulling clothes off the rack, or constantly whining about being bored. I can eat cake for breakfast, lunch and dinner if I want because I don't have to worry yet about fixing a well balanced meal or setting a good example. I've found myself saying yes to a lot more invitations because soon someone else will manage my time and my answer will be "Well, let me see how Mia feels."

Of course, we'll welcome our children and the changes to our lives that they'll bring. We'll be content in our new sense of normal. We'll be happy in our sleep deprivation, showering with bath tub toys, cheerios on the back seat floorboard, sippy cups in the sink, and snot on our shirts. We've all waited a long time for this. But to truly appreciate this part of our lives, we must also appreciate the freedom that came before it. Because soon it will be gone. And once it's gone.... it's gone forever. So don't wish it away. For all of my childless friends who are enduring this wait with me......please enjoy your time! Relish in your freedom and celebrate it!

31 comments:

Polar Bear said...

Excellent Post!!

You are so right about enjoying this time. I was just thinking about that the other day when it was almost noon and I still hadn't eaten breakfast much less had a shower. Those days are numbered.

Thinking positive!!

aimeeg said...

Really great point! Thanks for the reminder. It's easy to get caught up in this wait, but it's true that we should be savoring the "couple time" that my hubby and I have left.

Jill and Jaap said...

Love your post. Yes, appreciate those bubble baths...in the future you will have to wait until the wee one is safe and sound in bed. Or you find them something to do on a blanket/carpet of the floor of the bathroom, while you bath! Have to be creative!

I giggled at the peeing alone part...it is so true!!

Eliza2006 said...

Yes peeing alone is a thing of the past for me! Every day you are closer to Mia!

Tiffany

Joannah said...

You are so right! I'm trying to enjoy the in-between time now.

Sugar Cookies And Hope said...

The freedom that I am most appreciating (and a freedom I know will forever be changed once our little one comes home) is the fact that I do not have the worry of a parent. Once K. comes home, I will worry in ways that I have yet to comprehend. The worrying about her every breath, step and movement (and the worry about others' breaths, steps and movement around her) will forever be a part of my life.
Oh, and sleeping in. Yeah, baby. I loves me some Saturday morning sleep-in time.

~Kristen said...

Amen to that!!!
I'm seeing as many movies as possible and enjoying a spontaneous happy hour from time to time... I can't wait for all that to change, but I will not take this time for granted either!

Pug Mama said...

you are one smart cookie!
My oldest daughter is 11.
The only time I have been able to pee alone, or take a shower without the curtain being flung open in the last 11 years is when they are all at school.

Mamacita said...

Amen, Sistah! (no one is ever happy about sleep deprivation...the rest is easy!)

ferenge mama said...

What a great post. I think you are really wise to focus on this now. I'm sure that, someday, we'll be commenting back and forth about how little time we have.

And, in the meantime, good for your for focusing on what remaining freedom you have. :-)

I am inpired... was thinking of ditching an Oscar party tonight, but I think I will go. Next year (I HOPE) I'll have a baby to deal with, so will have to pass on it.

Debra Sue said...

Believe me I do! Although I have these coversations with B and my mom all of the time that usually start out with, "You know, when Ruby gets here..."

I thoroughly enjoy reading my trashy novels with a big cup of coffee, and taking long showers that allow me to shave, exfoliate, and moisturize most of all. You know, when Ruby gets here...

Briana's Mom said...

You are so right! I am really enjoying my time alone with my hubby right now because we won't have much when the baby comes. And I know I am really going to miss sleeping in on the weekends!

Anonymous said...

This is so true!! That is why I am so excited about my weekend getaway with Matt. To be able to sleep in, read a book without interruption, eating dinner without interruptions, going to the bathroom myself and everthing else you described. Even the drive out there will be great since we will get to talk and listen to music instead of the Wiggles! I really appreciated this post. Great one!

Anonymous said...

Amen to that! When your kid comes first all becomes clear Krista. Don't forget :)

C's Mom said...

Huh, what? I just got in ;0)

I'm fillin' that dance card, baby.

Hey, we need to pick a weekend and take off on the cheap come spring. Here's the part to freak you out. We get in the car, flip a coin for direction and drive. It really can be fun...can you handle that one? We'll find us a little roadside honkey-tonk (or sumpin' sumpin') and show 'em how it's done.

C'mon Louise!

t~ said...

Fantastic Post! I don't recall being in the potty room alone in the last 10 years, let alone sleeping in!

Anonymous said...

You have a wonderful attitude, and put this beautifully and you are right. Enjoy it while you can. And while you're at it, have a pedicure and think of me.

Anonymous said...

I was reminded of those days when I was trying to go to the bathroom this evening and Braeden was beating on the door!!! And also when we took little Travis out for pizza for his birthday and he had to go to the restroom and Big Travis got up and went with him!!! I said, "What, are we worried about child molesters in the restroom?" and he looked at me like I was stupid and said, "DUH!!"

M and M said...

Well said!!

I am looking forward to all of it - except maybe the lack of sleep - but I am sure that I will adjust!!

Mark and I are certainly keeping ourselves busy in the meantime!!

I say flip your coin with Connie and come North to Toronto - we would love to have you!!

kitchu said...

Oh I am relishing... by working full time and deciding to go BACK to school ONCE again for my master's... HOLY COW. But seriously, this is a great opportunity that I couldn't take advantage of if the wait were not so long! Great post!

Sam said...

Great attitude and advice, Krista! May you enjoy this chapter of your life before you change pages!

Drea said...

you are definitely on to something Krista!

OziMum said...

AMEN SISTA~! Life definitely changes once you have a child - you have a fantastic attitude!

Enjoy your last few months of spontinaity (spelling?!!!)

Robin said...

Great Post. Believe me, even though I am not childless, I am still trying to enjoy the quietness and spontaneity we have right now since all of our children are grown.

Donna said...

Even though it was frustrating at times, I still look back at THE WAIT with fondness now...I really enjoyed getting ready for the baby and reading and learning about parenting.

But, of course, it doesn't compare with actually being a mom...as you will find out someday very soon!

Catherine said...

What a great post! Right there with you enjoying the 'freedom' of today but looking forward to the changes of tomorrow. Living today to the fullest! Glad you're doing so well and that the wait has become a time of fun adventure and mommy prep.

4D said...

Great words of wisdom!

That is exactly what we are doing! Enjoying the time we have now just the two of us (and sometimes on our own).

Keep smilin!

Tao's Mommy said...

You said it so PERFECT.....free as a bird now, but happy too for the changes in freedom ahead!! Channing hopefully will be good to go with the flow...lol!!!
Also....thanks for the socks. Got them in the mail today and as soon as I seen the package from you I knew there was something PENGUIN in there.....they are too cute!!!

"M" said...

Great Post!!! I'm with you most of the time. Every now and then, though, I get sick of myslef and my freedom. I know I will regret saying that someday when I can't pee alone. Have fun living it up!

Calico Sky said...

Sounds like great advise to me!!

Colleen said...

That is a great post. I don't sleep anyway but the peeing thing? Thats got me a little wigged out. I like my privacy....