Home Alone

Derek decided to take Parker along with him to Derek's Grandma Ginos's funeral in Arizona from Wednesday to Friday this week, leaving me at home...alone :) Am I a bad mom for being excited about some no-baby time?

This men-only trip gave me 48 hours from take-off to touch-down to do whatever I wanted in my free time. It was wonderful - I got to tackle some things on my (lengthy) to-do list, my kitchen was cleaned and remained clean, I painted my toenails (trust me, this is a luxery that has been long overdue), and I slept uninterrupted. The time to myself definitely wasn't wasted!

Derek said he got a lot of credit and offers for help from the moms and grandmothers he met along the way, who took sympathy on the lone man toting around his sweet little baby without mom there to help. I guess Parker was merciful to him and slept during the flights, which is always helpful since airplanes aren't exactly known for their spacious maneuverability in the case that Parker wanted to be entertained. Look at this picture of my husband the packhorse - he didn't check a single thing, save the stroller and carseat at the gate! Can you believe it? He's just that amazing.

Next week I won't be so lucky in my free-time: Derek leaves again this weekend for a business trip to the windy city of Chicago, and won't be home until Thursday night. Hopefully I'll survive! I am a little nervous to say the least.

I am sad that I couldn't go to Arizona to be with the family for Grandma Ginos's funeral. She was such a sweet woman and full of love for all of her family. I want to always remember her like she was in this picture below with my own grandma on our wedding day - although they had never met until then, they instantly found friendship in one another and were like two peas in a pod before you knew it! Grandma Ginos always had a smile on her face and a fun wit about her that made her so charming to be around. We will miss her so much.