It had been nearly 3 years since I had been away on my own.  So when the opportunity to get away by myself for the night with my old girlfriends arose I decided to “seize the opportunity.”

Justin and I had recently had a little, umm, I’ll call it a “discussion” about how I hadn’t had a break in a VERY long time.  His side of the discussion is that I could go any time I wanted.  He failed to understand that just about all my friends were in the midst of pro-creating, pregnant, just had a baby, breastfeeding or just plain couldn’t get away…so getting away (unless I wanted to go alone, and believe me, I contemplated it) was pretty much not going to happen.

And anyway, by the time I felt like I could get away – when Stella was just about to be weaned – he knocked me up!

Well opportunity did arise.  My girlfriends in Washington, DC and the surrounding areas were going to get together and rent a hotel for the night.

After much debating and feeling really “guilty” I went.  It was a last minute trip and a surprise for some of my friends.

I forgot how easy it is traveling by yourself.  Especially just for one night.  One tiny carry-on and that was all.  I think I brought more magazines to read uninterrupted than clothes!  The only hitch was the random check in the security line by some new machine that found “chemicals” on my boarding pass…whatever that meant. I said I am a breastfeeding Mom who’s feeling guilty leaving her children and the only thing I’m “packing” is my breast pump…

Wendy, Karen, Katina, Kirsten, Dreama

My day started at 3:15 AM when I fed Sebby, got up, got ready, pumped, made bottles and jumped in my cab at 4:30 AM… I was in flight by 5:40 AM and cried the entire way to Salt Lake…called home as soon as I landed, all was well but I still kept crying and nearly jumped on a plane home thinking I’d made a huge mistake.  I was feeling really guilty leaving Sebby alone at such a young age (3 1/2 mos.) and leaving both of them for 2 days and one night (I had never spent a night away from Stella until Sebby was born…).

By the time I arrived in DC and saw my friends I had finally relaxed and really enjoyed myself.  I felt like “me” again.  Not that I don’t love the “Wife and Mommy” me but sometimes you just gotta be yourself.

Just Me!

We had a great night out with wine at the hotel while we got ready, then dinner at a new restaurant and dancing at a few bars/clubs.  Just like old times more or less.

I got to sleep in a bit the next morning (minus the pumping…man that got old…).

After a nice brunch with my friends and a little shopping in Georgetown it was time to head back to the airport and back home to my babies.

In the spirit of my and Justin’s philosophy that you only live once, we passed each other in air as he went to Vegas for a night as some of his friends were there for the weekend.

Thanks to a very generous Grandad (Justin’s Dad) and his girlfriend Teresa we had some help with the children.

I couldn’t wait to get home to see the children.  They were both asleep when I got home but I couldn’t help but go in and see them several times and give them a little love.

Everyone survived and Justin and I were better parents for having a little break.  It was also nice to see the following week that Sebby and his Grandad had really bonded while we were gone.

It was kind of funny that Justin and I had similar experiences while we were away…

The entire time I was out at the bars with my friends I couldn’t help but to observe and experience the “passion” that boys/men have in pursuing women…like dog’s in heat.  I kept thinking, is my little Sebby going to be this way?

And Justin had a similar experience.  He and his friends observing the “scantily clad” girls running around and dreading the day Stella says, “Dad, I’m going to the Palms pool party tonight.”

Funny how times change….

We are off to San Diego for our first trip on a plane as 4 on Wednesday…we sold our house here in Vancouver and are off to check out some real estate in San Diego for 6 days…

More Lee family adventures!