The things we take for granted pre-baby

1. Sitting in the front seat with your husband :-)

Jose and I do a lot of talking (typically the important introspective kind) in the car; probably a habit that started on those regular drives to see family. That kind of talk gets tough when I'm in the back seat to help Charlie calm down/stay asleep. It's a gamble because if he's going to sleep or is doing well I like to sneak into the front where I can hold my hubbie's hand. But we run the risk of being in a spot where we can't immediately pull over when he starts screaming bloody murder. (and though he's probably fine for a few minutes it's not exactly relaxing for us)

2. Sleep

Well no duh - everyone would put this as #1 and I put it as #2 just to buck the system. Yes, sleep does get better as you go on but then you always hit a new patch. Our new patch this week is moving Charlie from his bassinet to his crib (in our room still for now, one new thing at a time) which he doesn't seem to like much.

3. Chewing your food-not even slowly-just thoroughly

A shout-out especially to the stay at home moms who have missed a meal or two just based on "forgetting to eat" or because your baby is so dang fussy that you can't even slap a sandwich together you are so fried! (I try to have something already prepped in the fridge these days though Charlie is taking a regular nap now so that helps)  Did I mention a quiet dinner? Forget about it. By the time Jose is home and dinner is on the table it's 7:00 or better and that is the WITCHING HOUR. Out to dinner you ask? It'd better be the early bird special or you'll be asking them to make a miracle speed doggie bag.

4. Any kind of significant date with your spouse:

Especially going to the movies. Jose and I LOVE to go to the movies so much so that we buy the discount tix at Costco so when we go at night we still pay matinee pricing. When I was prego it was so insanely hot that we were going to the theater to see anything just for max a/c. Now I have a whole list of movies I want to see!

a. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Short Story by F. Scott Fitzgerald....DE-licious

b. Nights in Rodanthe - love Nicholas Sparks and could it get better than Richard Gere and Diane LANE???

b. Marley & Me: Looks cute and like the portrayal of a REAL relationship

c. The new 007 - one of the only action series that I like

d. MILK - Ohh how I've been waiting to see you. Sean Penn I heart you

e.  4 Christmases - every new parent needs a good laugh

5. No cart ditching

Let's face it - sometimes you're in the grocery store/target/costco and your baby gets so worked up you have to ditch your cart. Most recently I was in target and Charlie had a blow-out. Once I returned I found that my cart that already had about 15 items in it was gone. I later passed an associate restocking my items and practically tackled her. Of course there is no great service until you don't want it. The trick is to hide the cart you're ditching if you intend to return to it :-)

6. A long shower

You might laugh at this but it's so true - a good shower is a primo vacation to a new mom. Bath? Forget about it, we're not getting THAT much time!

Disposable Income:

Sure, we all make adjustments - but when you're out after being up every 1.5 hours and trying to find a special butt cream for the mysterious diaper rash that won't go away (which costs ANOTHER $10) and you suddenly realize your starved and haven't eaten all day - the last thing you want to do is WAIT until you get home, get unloaded, get the baby to settled and then fix yourself something to eat. Yeah, I should have thought ahead to pre-make/pack lunch...YEAH that's EXACTLY how my brain works these days.

My view from the back seat... "What was that honey? I can't quite hear you...."

Back Seat Buddies

Charlie enthralled with his baby einstein video - I read for 12 minutes...whoo hoo