Julia and Libi spent this weekend at my parents' house in Westchester, NY. They told me they had a lot of fun so far. We still have to pick them up somewhere on the NJ TPK this afternoon. Josh dropped them off on Friday at Exit 9. He did a quick and simple exchange with my mom (or at least it was supposed to be quick & simple). They had Shabbat dinner, went swimming, visited Manor Park, ate sushi on Saturday night, and had lunch with David & Natalie on Sunday in Brooklyn. Unfortunately, Ari had foot & mouth disease this weekend, so they couldn't spend time with him. I definitely hope to repeat these types of visits!!
Here at home it was both strange and very normal. We had a quiet family dinner on Friday night---too quiet. On Saturday, Josh went to shul alone while I dragged Marigold to the babysitting at my gym. Usually we all go to shul, but I took a break this week. Then we all went to the pool in the afternoon. That was the beginning of the very strange feelings! Josh and I both went with Marigold to the baby pool. She asked first if I would be with her and I said yes. Then I said Dad would be there too. And she paused and repeated this information like she couldn't believe it. It was like, "I get both of my parents at the same time??" Poor little third child...We left the pool after an hour with a downpour of rain that ended as quickly as it began. We then spent the evening in Manayunk. This weeked they had a Craft Fair/Artists Bazaar. This was a surprise to us!! Josh started to get stressed out (it's a habit) when we discovered the Fair, probably because he was thinking of all the hassles we'd have to go thru for parking, and walking around, and finding somewhere to eat...But another surprise came our way! There was absolutely no hassle. We found parking easily. Marigold was happy to be in her stroller, and the Thai place we had dinner was lovely. This would NEVER have happened with all 3 children with us!! It almost felt like a date. At the same time I missed Julia and Libi like crazy and I was constantly thinking of them and what they were doing at that moment.
So I think it was a great weekend all around--a treat for Julia & Libi to be with their grandparents, and a treat for Josh and I from the frantic pace of life with 3 children.
I can hear your conflict. I think your situation is the norm not the exception. I think with each additional child the last one is slighted just a little more then the one previous. Like I used to be so strict and make sure that Ronin gets his naps. But with Autumn - she has to go more with the flow as we as a family have to function. So when Autumn hasn't napped in over 4 hrs and we are still at the Zoo w/ Ronin she cries herself to sleep in the stroller and we plough forward. You are doing the best you can and just try to remember that.
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