I should have said, "You're Welcome"

Austin and I used to enjoy outings most days. Who says having a baby is hard? I would catch myself saying. Every time Chris would thank me for staying home I would laugh because to me it just felt like I was on vacation, so essentially, he was thanking me for taking an indefinite amount of time off. Austin would curl into a ball, sleep and eat, and observe the world around him. It was like bringing a cute warm doll around that was fun to snuggle with.

The other night Chris asked me if I would like to go out to dinner. I had pictures of me walking all around as Austin loves to exercise his little legs. All plates in the center of the table where we can barely reach them so little swinging arms can't sweep the food to the floor. Asking the waiter to please only provide us with spoons as all utensils end up in the little one's hands, and he's just not ready for points. And lastly, realizing the speed we would have to consume our food and how we might just sound like two vacuum cleaners that were forgotten to be turned off.

I had to decline.

I now understand why people with toddlers don't exactly jump at going to other people's homes. It's like you are bringing a miniature bull and your not quite sure what it will be attracted to. Since having Austin, some toddlers have made their way into our house. You can tell one is present by the trails of cheerios, the upturned baskets, and the toys being flung over the banister. I have one friend that comes over always equipped with a helping tool: her husband. They have two small kiddos and you would think that with there being two parents, one would be able to sit with the moms with the immobile kids and enjoy a conversation. This doesn't seem to be the case as she only gets to talk as she's passing through, tripping on blankets and toys reaching for the lamp that is going to crash.

I'm taking this all in, slowly, and realzing I might have been duped. I watch Austin learn to roll completely over and realize he is well on his way to having some mobile freedom. Though I am quite proud of him and look like a fool clapping and cheering when he simply makes a sound like "ba" I realize my vacation time is coming to an end. Chris should really start thanking me.