So I won't be doing that anytime soon, but not for the reason that you'd think. The MIL and family in general was fine, terrific in some places and predictably horrible in others.
The Good
The Bad
The Good
- Baby E did great with the family. She didn't mind even the hour or two she was being passed like a party favor between relatives at the table.
- She slept great (for the first week) in our travel crib.
- She adjusted to a hybrid time zone after a night or two which was still too early for us, but bearable, sleep-wise.
- She was awesome with the Mr. taking care of her full-time for the three days a week.
- Mexican food. Every day.
The Bad
- Our family wasn't very helpful. We might as well have been on our own in a place with strangers.
- The night the MIL insisted we stay over, Christmas Eve, was a sleep disaster for E that sent her schedule off the rails. I still fume over having to be there for Christmas morning when grandma rolls out of bed at nearly 10.
- We experienced our first screaming every two hours baby all night long for our last three nights in California.
- The plan to celebrate my 40th in San Diego was hijacked by my MIL. I have decided that we aren't going to waste money on taking a trip that will make me miserable. An early gift indeed
Happy blogaversary! So glad E was good...I think she was just ready to go home....I hope the good outweighs the bad...sounds like the trip was good....
ReplyDeleteYeah, sounds typical. I am glad you got through it. I also made it through Narcissistic Grandma Week. I think we deserve 3 cheers and a nap!
ReplyDeleteOur blog generation is certainly dwindling. I don't comment as often, and my blog has become pretty insipid. Meh. I am sure there is a whole fresh batch of newly-ragingly-infertile ladies out there picking up our slack. Unfortunately.
As always, you are a champ! Good for you for limiting your MIL misery - no reason to have any more of it than absolutely necessary. I think it's been quieter, too (not that I've posted much myself)...I guess everyone's been busy with the holidays and recovering from them. Makes long days at work extra boring, with little to read. :) I should really find a job that I hate less, huh?
ReplyDeleteWow, we traveled far less a distance than you (down to your neck of the woods, in fact!) and still felt the disruption in Smudgie's schedule. It even took a week or so to get him morning wake-ups back on track after we got home.
ReplyDeleteI love your present to yourself for the 40th! If you're not going out to Cali, you'll need to plan something special for right here on the east coast.
I'm so sorry--the only thing that made our trip to NM bearable was the good sleepin' and the super helpful family. (Oh, and the New Mexican food NOM NOM NOM!) It's such a heartbreaker that they don't GET that! But I'm glad it wasn't a total disaster, and I give E a tiny little high five for sleeping well for a week! Anyway, that's one more obligation done, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteWell, perhaps a trip like that reinforces those things in the plus column of having moved East. I know the Mexican food sucks, but at least the MIL isn't in PA. I'm sorry they weren't too helpful (and hindrances at times). As always, it sounds like your grace and tolerant nature helped you navigate the gong shows. I'm thinking little E is happy to be back in her familiar quarters.
ReplyDeleteAs a very large fan (both figuratively and literally) of your blog, I praise you for three years of excellent writing amidst some of the shittiest circumstances known to Woman. You have inspired me, made me cry, made me laugh and reminded me of of my own resilience by showing me yours time and again. I hold so much gratitude for you, Misfit.
warm hugs from my cold country.
Happy Blogoversary!!
ReplyDeleteMaybe quieter, its easier to catch up with my blog reader than it has been. Much more manageable. Still doesn't excuse my shockingly low-level commenting these days I know, cos you'd think I'd have more time?
E sounds like a little star to have got through Christmas so awesomely, yep agree, she probably just wanted to be back home with Mum and Dad. Funned out(!)
Trips like that are always tough, even on the adults -- sounds like E came through it like a champ. I'm sorry the family wasn't more helpful. I've never understood that -- by definition, the in-laws have had kids, so wouldn't they understand? Don't they remember?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on 3 years. That really pulled me up short, because it means my 3-year mark is coming up soon too. I hope you stick around -- like Augusta said, you are inspiring!