Four weeks ago, my sister had a baby girl, Olivia Rose Brooks. This past week I was lucky enough to fly out to England and get to know this adorable little bundle in person. The week was fantastic, but the lead in was tough. Flying off to a foreign country sure isn't as easy as it used to be. I had to recruit live-in childcare (Thank you, Grandma Rhona!). I had to cook and freeze a number of meals. I had to type up a four-page memo about the boys' schedule and care. Then, I had to agonize over my decision to "abandon" my family, alternating between excitement over getting some time to myself and crippling guilt about leaving my babies. What if they were miserable the whole time? What if I crashed and died in the Atlantic? What if Grandma Rhona couldn't find her way to Max's preschool?
Of course it won't surprise any of you to hear that everything went just fine. In fact, it appears that my boys didn't miss me at all. Every time I called, they didn't want to talk to me on the phone ("Not now. We're watching Handy Manny"). They made it to school on time, enjoyed play dates at the park and ate out at a number of exciting restaurants (That Panera is REALLY hot stuff. A yogurt tube AND chocolate milk...). For my part, I missed the guys, but I really, really enjoyed a life free of responsibilities. I stayed up late and read three separate books. I slept in every morning and nobody was clambering for me to cook oatmeal. I snuggled my adorable niece, and then handed her back to her parents when she was inconsolable or needed to eat. In short-- it was heaven.
At the same time, it was also really nice to come home. The boys gave me giant hugs at the airport and Henry said, "We really missed you, Mama" (yeah sure, kid. That's not what I hear!). It was great to snuggle up with Scott on the couch and watch the Oscars, and it was wonderful to sleep in my own bed.
Young Olivia is off to a great start in life. She has two adoring parents and a "sweet crib" in an area of London affectionately known as Nappy Valley. Babies change so quickly, and it was really special to be able to spend time with her when she was only three weeks old. I am tremendously grateful to everyone who helped make the trip possible. I probably won't be heading back to London anytime soon. The cost and the logistics are just too daunting. But, I'm already counting the days until Olivia and her parents make the trip Stateside this summer!
David feeding Olivia her first bottle
Olivia posing for a baby announcement "photo shoot". Do you like the sexy sheepskin rug?
Snoozing on Mommy's shoulder
Out for a walk around town (Yes, it was cold there)
Proof that I was actually in London and not just down the freeway in San Leandro or something
My favorite "sculpture" at the Tate Modern. No woman could look at this without thinking about the mountain of laundry she had awaiting her at home.
The Thames River and St. Paul's Cathedral in the distance
Olivia catching a nap in Max and Henry's old sling
Three generations of LaLone ladies!
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