Over the weekend the husband and I met some friends at the water for drinks and a night out. It was our first real night out together since having Hudson. So of course I had a peach sangria (or two!).
One of our friends asked if I ever just let my hair down and get crazy. And I guess I don’t. And I didn’t before we had Hudson either. It’s just not my style. But it made me think about how “fun” is so much different now. What our friends didn’t see is how much planning it takes for a night out. They didn’t see the stress of getting ready while tending to a cranky teething baby. They didn’t see me getting everything ready for my mom to take care of Hudson for the night. They didn’t see us scrambling to get out the door on time while also dealing with landscapers who accidentally cut our sprinkler line causing our yard to flood. They also don’t understand that that cranky baby of ours will be up and ready to party at 5:30 a.m. the next day and doesn’t care that mommy and daddy are tired. And because that cranky baby missed you the night before, he will refuse to take a nap longer than 30 minutes.
And he’ll develop an eye infection and make you cancel your other plans for the day. All that will also make him overly tired and fight bedtime too.
So….our idea of “fun” has changed big time. And I’m okay with that. It’s nice to get out of the house and see friends. Everyone needs a break.
But it’s also nice to stay in, order pizza and watch a movie too.
And when you finally get that baby to sleep you miss him. It’s kind of awesome.
I totally relate to this, even though my daughter is 21 months now. It is so much more challenging getting all dolled up for a night out when you have a teething baby who needs Mommy cuddles! The night out is always fun but the night in becomes "funner" when you're a parent 😉
I can relate as well! My friendships with some people have remained, and my friendships with others have ended. At first I was really sad about it – but then I realized how amazing my life is now with my 17 month old. I cherish my time with him – especially since I work full time. Having a baby is the best thing I've ever done! I'm not sure I'll ever stop sneaking in his room at night one last time before I hit the sack. I never get tired of spending time with my sweet boy – a night away is nice – but I miss him when I'm away from him. Enjoy your moments together… and always do what feels right to you!
even though liam is only 11 days old, i can already see how fun is different now. my hubby and i will crack up at all the faces he makes, and we're perfectly content to cuddle on the couch with the little guy. it's pretty much perfect and i wouldn't trade it for the world. 🙂
Haha I don't have any babies and I am already such a homebody! Yesterday I laid around with my husband all day and it was the BEST
I always say "my alarm clock doesn't have a snooze button"… Because really- babies don't care how late you went to bed. I hope H feels better soon- icky eye infection AND teething 🙁
Hubby and I were just talking about how our idea of "fun" weekend is forever changing since having kids. This weekend cleaning the deck and yard work followed by a trip to the pool was just perfect to us! 🙂
PS…I hope your sweet boy is feeling better soon!
So true…
What is that little pillow thing he's sleeping on? We did that for E, but with a blanket. This looks more secure. And don't I know how life changes with baby.
This is a perfect description of the way I am too. First – I wasn't that crazy before a kid, but second, the alarm clock that you cannot snooze is not so fun after you've had one too many drinks!! However, every time I drag myself out of bed if I stayed up late on a weekend night, I'm always thankful for those mornings with my little man!!!
Hope he's feeling better soon (for you and him)!
Couldn't agree more! We left Kenley overnight for the first time this weekend…it was one part frickin awesome and one part super sad. 🙂 Us mamas definitely need a break every once and while but letting your down is quite a bit different with a little one!
I'm like you. Letting my hair down and cutting loose isn't my style. I'm not a wild child by any means. I don't have children, but sans children I LOVE to stay in and watch a movie. I'm sure I'll be the same way once I do have kiddos of my own 🙂
Oh man! I can't wait for my "mommy fun" to start!
I couldn't agree more! We just had out first date night since November and the planing and coordinating that goes into going out anymore but would still trade any night out for a night in with my girl! 🙂
I can totally relate! I am more than comfortable with staying at home and having a dance party with my four year old while making dinner rather than going out on the town. 🙂
Some days she can be totally exhausting, physically and mentally, (because she is such a ball of energy) but when she does finally settle down and go to sleep, I miss her, too.
I just love this! I cannot wait for our "fun" to change when our little girl gets here!!
I am a girl who loves me a good time – but somehow I think fun with my own child will quickly replace my idea of fun as well…in a good way. We all have to grow up one day!
awwww. 🙂 i have never been that girl that wants to go out and party all night. i would much rather have a mellow night and something yummy to eat.
Love this post! It's so true, our once you become a parent "fun" is something different. Sometimes it's more work trying to go out and have fun or to do things with just the adults. Being home is more ideal sometimes for us. and were okay with that!
Couldn't be more true! We've had to cancel plans more times than I can count since Avery has been born and said no double that amount because we can't go out do a 7:00 dinner because it's about to be bath time. But almost all of those time we would rather be home with her than going out anyways. Great post!
So I can completely relate to this – even with us NOT having a baby! Russ being in Residency and having a new-to-us-home definitely changes how we spend out time – and money! I've lost connection with a few friends because of it and while it's hard, I'm not going to push myself to have them try and understand why we live the way we do. We're happy – in the end, if they can't support that, then it's not meant to be.
My fiance and I had this very dilemma Saturday night! Except, we didn't go out. There is WAY too much to coordinate for a few hours out. We'll go out occasionally (as in 2x in 9 months!) but we always have more fun once we get home or when we just have a night in with our baby. The definition of 'fun' has taken new shape that's for sure! But I like this new definition a whole lot more! Hope Hudson feels better soon!
True story. My idea of fun is so different these days. Fun would be a nap, or an uninterupted hour of crappy TV, or going out to dinner with the baby and not having a meltdown, or sleeping more than 5 hours in a row! 🙂 Different fun, but awesome nonetheless.
Well said!! We had our first night out a few weeks ago– and while it tons of fun, we both decided pizza and a movie would've been just as nice 🙂 Hope Mr. Hudson feels better very soon!
This totally hits home! Every single word of it.
While I've managed to make a bunch of new "mom friends," the bulk of my pre-baby best friends are all single without kids. I find myself answering these questions a lot! The truth is, I never "went out" and "partied" before I had Ethan (my husband and I have been dating since we were 15, so I've always felt a lot…older?…than whatever the normal kids were doing) but even still now, my idea of fun has changed. I like having people over for a dinner or a movie. Or grabbing coffee to catch up with a friend when my husband is home from work to watch Ethan. My kid-less friends are always like "now where do you want to go?" and I'm always like "home!" Ha.
So true! I keep telling myself "one day they will sleep in" I hear stories from other parents with older kids lol. I hope his eye is ok, no fun sick kiddos.
Julie, as a father of three, I can remember those days. Children change everything! Nick, my youngest, had colic and I walked him every night from 6 to 8pm as he struggled and cried with tummy problems. He would finally succumb to exhaustion and go to sleep for for the night. Such fun. Nick is now 27 and I fortunately get to see him about once a month, but not enough. I miss those days of carrying him and all the 'fun' that goes with having kids! Enjoy every moment, as before you know it they will be up and gone and all you will have is all those memories of having 'fun'.
Fun is totally different now for us. Sometimes I miss being able to be spontaneous. But, I wouldn't trade this new chapter of life for anything!