I did it! The first overnight trip without the baby. Now, it wasn't the romantic bed and breakfast trip with my hubby that I had planned - no, that keeps getting postponed due to life's little interruptions. This was a whirlwind business trip to Chicago and then to Los Angeles. Now, granted, I was only gone for a whopping total of about 40 hours but mommies, you know that 40 hours without your baby in close proximity, let alone the same state, makes you nervous.
I was worried that my husband would forget to give the babe his meds, my plane would crash upon take off or landing, that the wee one would not be able to sleep without knowing that momma is in the house ... you know, the general laundry list of concerns.
Now, I am extremely fortunate that I have a husband who is very much engaged with being a Father and although I had to give the general instructions on what to feed the baby and what the timing of his schedule is, he was totally on top of things. That certainly makes things a lot easier and allows me to focus on work (as much as possible) while I'm gone.
The flight out was pretty good. I slept a little, read a little and certainly ate nothing - since when do you have to pay for a snack on a plane? That was new to me, as I usually fly Continental, who still gives out complimentary snacks. Plus, much to my husband's annoyance, I never carry cash and I am guessing that the flight attendant wasn't going to appreciate it if I whipped out my debit card for a cheese and crackers snack box.
My boss, Betsy, arrived the night before and stayed at the Wyndham Chicago, which is rated a "customer favorite" by guest reviews on Expedia.com. The hotel was beautiful (I picked her up on my way to our meeting) and she was very happy with her accommodations, and shared her delight about the staff and the room. A happy boss? Always a good way to start a trip.
During our walk to lunch, I will admit, every time that I saw a kid on the street or a mom pushing her stroller, I wanted to reach out and hug the baby - smell that J&J shampoo scented hair and make them belly laugh. I'm telling you - I had it bad. I'm not usually like that; I am also not usually over 700 miles away from my kid!
However, I will also admit that I enjoyed working and being 100% in the moment. Sometimes I feel like even though I am fully focused on what I'm doing, I always know in the back of my mind that I could be pulled into wearing my "Mommy Hat" at any moment. You know what I mean - that call from daycare that your child is sick, or the list of phone calls that you have to make over your lunch break to schedule Dr. appointments, playdates or RSVP to the upcoming birthday extravaganza (so not into over the top B-days, by the way). It was almost freeing to be so far away from home.
We flew to LA that night and I got to enjoy a super meal at Jack Sprat's on Wilshire Blvd. I had the Mediterranean Salad and it was AMAZING. So were the French fries that we started with ... and the bruschetta ... and the Fat Tire beer that I had ...Yep. Love dining out with adults. Great conversation, good food and just a really relaxing, nice night. At that moment, it was nice to be at a grown-up dinner, no kids, no husband (sorry babe), just me. It's also really nice to learn more about the people that you work with - to develop those friendships as well.
Now, former rock-star lifestyle Alyson would have poo-pooed at getting "home" before 3am but this girl is always asleep before 10 (the time that I used to head out for the night), so getting back to the hotel at 1 am in NJ-time (10 pm in LA) was a serious throw-back for me. I was wiped! Clearly, I'm also getting older.
Having the king-sized bed to myself? Heaven. I got up at regular time (3:30 LA-time) so I got to have a leisurely morning. Finished up my latest read, Harvesting the Heart by Jodi Picoult, in a bubble bath. Called my sweetie and the little one (who hung up on me while chewing the phone). And had a very filling and delish breakfast at Nate n' Al's in Beverly Hills, breakfast being the only thing that I could afford in that area of town. Although, I certainly would love my very own Chanel purse. Black. With the chain on the shoulder strap. Also very delish.
The meeting was super and went very well so my co-workers and I arrived back at the airport feeling like the trip was well worth the crazy travel schedule. The rest of the time spent in the airport? Lisa and I sat and shared pictures, and talked about our kids, the challenges that working moms face and the joy and love that makes the balancing act worth it.
I bought my snacks for the (long) flight in the airport and settled in on the plane with a new book (Mrs. Perfect by Jane Porter. Super cute and easy read.), excited to get home and see my family.
When I got home, I opened the baby's door and he immediately popped up onto his knees in the crib, his big crooked grin highlighted by the light in the hallway. It's what I had been thinking about from the moment that I left the house the morning before. The Mommy Hat is officially back on.
I am happy to report that my husband did a great job while I was away. The boys played, the baby got his meds and was well fed and clean when I got home. Always a plus. The hardest thing to adjust to once I got back? Instead of "Ma Ma Ma" always coming out of the baby's mouth - "Da Da Da"! I think the "mommy stage" has come to a temporary end and, that I'm a little disappointed about it.
That's okay; Daddy goes on an overnight at the end of the week. (wink!)
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