Okay, okay…nobody panic.
The “honeymoon” is not over, people. Come on, it hasn’t even been 5 months
yet!! A little moodiness, sobbing and homicidal thoughts aren’t going to put a
damper on our fun here!
Pete and I talked last
night for a while, and it was good. This is an adjustment for everyone, we keep
remembering.
Last night was just one of
those times when everyone’s needs and insecurities and hormonal imbalances
converged at the same time. I often feel left stuck in the middle in many ways—a
sometimes extremely painful place to be. It’s a balancing act, life, is it not?
More often than not, it is. Thing is, I’m generally sort of a klutz, but my
heart is in the right place.
The kiddo has needed some
serious one-on-one time for a while, and I let it go for too long. I needed
some time out of the house and Pete needed some time alone. So it all worked
out for me to take my daughter out and about for the day to enjoy this
Presidential holiday.
We went out to brunch and
then stopped by to see Cecily and sit with her while she had her lunch,
followed by an afternoon in the Acadamy of Natural Sciences where
there is currently an exhibit on froggies. It’s hard not to be cheered up by
frogs, even if you may have a thing against slimy wet creatures. The names were
the best part. So simple, yet so perfect!
We topped off our
afternoon with a trip to our favorite Chinese restaurant and then came home to
snuggle and watch some TV, then read together. My daughter fell asleep in
record time tonight—as will I.
It was not a
good night for sleeping last night in our house. But I am refreshed by amphibians
and nourished by wontons, and I am determined to make this week a good one.
"Refreshed by amphibians"
Gotta love a woman who writes that!
Posted by: Rob | Monday, February 20, 2006 at 10:35 PM
Good for you, Sarah! I hope the kiddo was feeling much better after being alone with her mommy.
Posted by: Shelli | Monday, February 20, 2006 at 11:10 PM
Glad things are better today. Frogs & Chinese food- I'll have to try that the next time we're all out of sorts over here.
Posted by: Leggy | Monday, February 20, 2006 at 11:38 PM
I too enjoyed the "refreshed by amphibians and nourished by wontons" phrasing.
I'm sorry things were so difficult the other night, Sarah, and happy for you that you were able to make them better. Kudos to you for taking care of your marriage and your child!
Have you and your daughter continued with that letter-writing idea at all? Have you been able to have those weekly mother-daughter dates to any extent?
Posted by: max | Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at 06:33 AM
(Delurking - came over from Cecily) Just wanted to say "Good mom!!" I'm one half of a single mom & daughter family and I really enjoy reading your posts about your relationship with your daughter. (I'm old enough now to appreciate the mom's perspective.)
Glad you had a wonderful day yesterday - isn't it amazing how one day of togetherness can make up for a week of busy/cranky/snarkiness?
And I loved the Waxy Monkey Frog!
Posted by: Shara | Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at 09:27 AM
I'm glad the rest of the day went well... yeah! Better than my awful lunch, anyway...
Posted by: Cecily | Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at 12:05 PM
Yay! Glad everything worked out and you had some time to spend with S. Eh, the troughs are what make the highs so wonderful, right? :)
Posted by: Catherine | Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at 12:21 PM
I hope I can be half the Mom that you are one day. I wuv you. :D
Posted by: Amanda B. | Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at 01:33 PM
And I thought Waxy monkey frog was her new name!
Oh my, I remember it's easier being green than it is being a 10yr old girl. It's never too early for hormones, or drama.
And know dear, living with men can be occasionally frustrating.
Of course, the same is true of women.
It's been too long since we've seen y'all. I'm missing that Monkey frog and the Brit too. Waddabout a visit? You can bring the dogs! RSVP
Posted by: beingbebe | Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at 02:30 PM
Glad your house is back to (more) normal.
I loved the Mexican Dumpy Frog.
(who you callin' dumpy??!!)
Posted by: sheilah | Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at 05:53 PM
Sarah - we absolutely have to commisserate on this at TequilaCon; we have SO much in common here!
Posted by: Jessica | Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at 12:33 PM
Thanks for the reminder ... my situation is different, but the advice still rings true. Happily married, 2 kids - but older kid (about to turn 10), by 5 years, gets cranky and out of sorts if I don't remember to have a little one on one time with him every month or so. It's good for us to reconnect - we had 5 years when it was just us, and I think we both still miss having some alone time. Life gets so busy, it's easy to forget. I figure, soon enough, he won't want me within 100 yds. of him, so I better do it while I can!
:::scurrying off to check calendar::::
Posted by: mar | Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at 04:59 PM
Sounds like a great day for Mom and daughter. Awesome for recognizing what needed to be done and doing it.
(And your daughter is your clone, btw. And stunning!)
Posted by: Chantal | Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at 07:27 PM
Mexican Dumping Frog. Love that name!
I'm so glad things are back on an even keel at your home.
Posted by: Sheri | Thursday, February 23, 2006 at 07:34 AM