Daddy's girl

Well...I did it. I left Hope. I was gone for 4 nights. And we both survived.

I flew out to San Francisco to go to my brother's wedding. The original plan was for Hope to come with me, but at the last minute we decided it would be best if she did not. So I left Raymond at home with all 3 kids, with just his wits and his mother to help him.

It turned out to be the perfect decision for everybody. It would have been much more difficult than I imagined having Hope in SFO with me, given all the circumstances. And it was not quite as difficult ,for Raymond to have all 3 kids, as he feared. And it gave us all something we needed: me time to be responsible for only myself for a few days, and Raymond some bonding time with Hope without Mom there to take over. So I came home a refreshed Mommy and I also came home to a Daddy's Girl.

When she saw me for the first time this morning she kind of looked at me sideways..as to say.."oh so you're back, huh?" She has some new words for me to try and understand, and I am sure she grew by 25lbs (ok not quite but it sure felt that way). As to my concern about my absence having a negative impact on Hope's attachment to me, I haven't noticed anything yet, I suppose time will tell.

Today I just feel so blessed to have all of my family. My three great kids, the 2 older that were such great helpers to Raymond while I was gone. My Hubby of 14 years , always up for the challenge of taking care of all of us. My mother-in-law, without which, I know we would spend sooo much more $$$ on babysitters. My mom and step-dad that made my trip to SFO possible. My brother and sister that are just the most generous and supportive siblings a girl could ask for.

Sorry for all the gushing. I guess I am just in that "returning from vacation euphoria".