Playdates

Have I mentioned how much I love playdates?  I mean it is so much fun getting together with your friends and your kids friends (if they are that stage of making friends).  We were graciously invited to one today with a number of my MOPS friends (a few of them this was one of the first time we had met outside of MOPS and really got a chance to get to know them a bit better).  We went to a gals house, which is always the best location for me right now with a little one that still takes a morning nap (although she did not today).  There were cribs and pack and plays available to put the little ones down if need be, we had coffee the kids had snacks and we really just spend more than two hours talking and sharing.  It was wonderful!  I guess I did not realize how important these relationship (and relationship building in general is) until I had kids.  I mean it can be pretty lonely as a firs time mom not knowing other moms.  Your single friends don't understand how much time and energy goes into this little being and your married friends don't understand why you can't just come and go as you once did, they don't get that routine and structure are now your life and at times it feel like there is very little room for spontaneity.

Getting to know these new moms and deepening my relationship with old friends has been a Godsend for me as a parent.  I sometimes can't wait for the next playdate or gathering just for that adult interaction.  So much that sometimes I find myself getting frustrated with Hannah when she does not want to play with the other kids and wants to just sit on my lap the entire time.  This too shall pass (I hope).  I was also sharing with the ladies today that I really wish I could be a bit more flexible, I find myself getting very anxious when Felicity does not take a good morning nap or one at all for that matter, all because I want to be out.  The thing is that this girls is so happy most of the time, I am the one that is irritated.  And as I was watching my other mom friends who have little ones the same age just let the time pass without batting an eye at that fact that their kid is not napped either, it made me really appreciate their ability to be flexible and in turn made me want to really try and be a bit more like that.  Letting go of the control reigns a bit and enjoying this time and letting them (the kids enjoy this time), and the reality is that if she was loosing it and needed to go to sleep, I know that I would sacrifice that time with the ladies and take her home, because this is my vocation and there will be other playdates and gathering and time to share with these lovely ladies another day.  I pray that I can surrender the desire to control each and every morning and enjoy this time I have with them now because it does go by so fast.

Thank you little ones for being patient with me as I continue to learn how to be a better mommy,

All my love,
Mom