When we go away as a couple now – just the two of us – there’s a whole host of reasons to get excited. A car journey with conversation and music rather than whining, clothes that don’t have to provide easy boob access for feeding (Dresses!!), a lie in, bathtime without plastic cups, wine, prosecco and Pimms, lots of other grown ups… going away as a family is awesome too but there is something so very wonderful about remembering who you were before you had kids.
This weekend we travelled with my little brother and his fiancé Erin to a mutual friend’s wedding in Suffolk. I’d spent a long time preparing for the weekend, expressing what felt like a lifetime’s supply of breast milk for Hux and whispering to him how much we loved him, that we weren’t abandoning him and that we’d be back before he knew it. I was pretty heartbroken to leave him though I knew a night away would do us good and he’d be in very safe hands with his Grannie and Grandpa. I didn’t have the same worries for Elfie who had spent the previous two days saying “Gaga? Sleep? More?” every five minutes. I.e. Please can I go for my sleepover at my Grannie’s house now please?
It’s safe to say we had a blast. So much so that I chucked my DSLR in the boot of the car as soon as the wedding ceremony was over so we could get on with the serious business of enjoying ourselves.
The wedding was gorgeous, in the barn of an old Manor’s estate in deepest darkest Suffolk. The new Mr and Mrs were radiant, there was a fantastic BBQ and we were able to catch up with old friends.
I enjoyed myself so much that I got sick of the taste of prosecco, necked jaegerbombs like squash and wrote something potentially inappropriate in the guestbook about how I was sneaking off every couple of hours to express my milk in the car. I still woke at 8am the next day, bright and early all ready for Mummy duty. Lie in, what lie in?! I had itchy feet to get back to my babies but as we were travelling as a foursome I tried to chill out, take a dip in the (claw-footed and free-standing) bath and relax a little.
I always forget the most wonderful thing about going away for the weekend, and that is getting home to my babies. It’s worth leaving them for a night to feel the absolute joy I get on being able to hug them again. It makes me appreciate them on a whole other level and then vow to never ever leave their sweet faces ever again, a resolution which lasts until the next 5am wakeup call which is when I start dreaming of country house hotels once more.
They were total angels and seemed to have a blast. Elfie today: “Gaga? Papa? Sleep? More?”. Sign me up for another two days of jaegerbombs…
Oh wow you all look gorgeous and the wedding looks like so much fun!
Thanks Vicki! x
Hi Alice, have only just come across your blog in the last few days. Am 33wks tomorrow with our first and very excited about becoming parents. I find everything baby related fascinating and still in the stage of that I can’t imagine leaving her ever :) Your weekend away looked fabulous & reminds me that we were us before our world became baby consumed in February and maybe the occasional weekend or two will be good for us and baby!
Thanks Jade! We went away right before baby was due (ermm… right here… https://morethantoast.org/2012/04/the-montpellier-chapter-cheltenham/) and it was AMAZING to have a bit of time to ourselves before everything got turned a little upside down…
I live in Suffolk! You look fab in your pic’s, very chilled. It is lovely to see! And completely agree, as much as I love my Lily a night away means such a lot. And returning is the bet bit! X
Where abouts do you live? It’s a lovely part of the world! x
A small village near Bury St Edmunds, and yes it is very lovely round here! We are actually right near the Norfolk/ Suffolk border so right out in the sticks. X
Whenever I am planning on having a quiet night, jäger bombs end up happening. Although obviously not at the moment. ;)
They were foul, but I wouldn’t be against trying them again…x
Hey Alice, I have recently started following you too and like Jade, above, I am due to have my first baby very soon – I’m nearly 39 weeks now! I love reading your posts and this one was especially interesting as I’ve been wondering at the planning involved in getting away for a night….although I can imagine it’ll be more like being torn away for a night! Love your comments on expressing in the car…oh the glamour I have to look forward to! I only hope I can look as glamorous as you so soon after birth!!
Lulu x
PS here’s my blog! I’m very new to the world of blogging but am addicted already!
http://www.pencilsandprams.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks for leaving your blog address Lulu! I will start following you. Good luck with your new baby! x
Sounds like loads of fun and I totally love your wedding outfit – gorgeous x
Thank you! xx
I so love your wedding outfit. Dress + necklace = perfect!
Thank you! It’s my favourite piece of jewellery, weirdly picked up at Evans!?x
Once the game is 80% complete you will need to work on
the sound. This way you are not disappointed when you
get residence, and you won’t have to make a excursion back to the shop. As ever we strive to help our customers make informed decisions and understand where their r4 cards are coming from.
You made a few fine points there. I did a search on the topic and found most folks will have the same opinion with your blog.
I read a lot of interesting articles here. Probably you spend a lot
of time writing, i know how to save you a lot of work, there is an online tool that creates high quality,
SEO friendly articles in minutes, just type in google
– laranitas free content source