The weekend before last Zack + I were really wanting to get away for a little bit. We always talk about doing this or doing that but since moving here, I always chicken out and come up with an excuse for why our adventures won’t work. And really, that is so unlike me. When I marinate on why I do this, I think it’s because I feel like there’s just a lot going on in our lives right now, and instead of letting a fun trip away serve as relaxing I turn it into work. And I don’t want extra work, so I chicken out. :) But! Recently Zack suggested driving south to San Diego, and before I could come up with a reason why we shouldn’t go I told him we totally should go. And you know what? We had an amazing time.
Of course we had a few set backs: we left home a couple hours later than we wanted to and the zoo wasn’t open as late as we thought it was, but we had such an amazing time. Our trip started out with ice-cream sandwiches. It was a gorgeous, sunny drive. We had a yummy lunch at Trattoria Fantastica. We held hands + walked the gaslamp district. We talked business, window shopped, sipped coffee in the evening hours and then visited my dear friend Jessica and her newborn babe Calvin.
When I reflect on our trip I am realizing that having a baby has encouraged me to try even more new things. Since Max was born I can see how God has slowly prepared me for trying these new things. I’ve surprised myself a bit with the amount of patience I have for the day-to-day newborn craziness. When Max was five weeks old we ventured out to his friend Olivia’s first birthday party. I’ve taken him to meet another friend for lunch. I’ve nursed him in our Jeep — changed countless diapers in there, too. These may not seem like huge advances to you, but they are for me as a first time mama living in a huge city. There are a lot of uncertainties as we figure things out between the two of us. We’re a duo, and not every day is the same as the one before. It takes a lot of patience :)
I don’t want to give any more excuses for why we can’t adventure out. I want to spend more time experiencing new things. I want to be fully present and to teach Max how saying “yes” can make a huge difference between just being and truly living.
This last weekend we stayed home but we still adventured, just in different ways: we had a picnic lunch at the park, we walked to get frozen yogurt when really we should have been eating lunch ;) Oh, and we met up with our friends for dinner Sunday.
I am a creature of habit, I love routine and doing what’s easy. But lately I’ve come to realize there’s so much beauty in saying yes to something that’s new {and maybe even a little bit scary}.
I don’t know you personally but from one momma to another I think you are doing great and everyday with a little one is an adventure. I am a momma x3 (x7 if you count my fur babies!) anyhoo… I smile reading your blog, especially your fresh mom perspective and talking about adventure. I was scared to death to decide to quit my career to stay at home after baby #2 but funny enough I have loved it and me and my hubby were just talking about how we have gotten out and done more (traveling etc.) since we have had kids! Guess we just prioritize better now :0) so enjoy being spontaneous with little guy and your family!
@Lynn b, Funny how starting a family will change your perspective, huh? I love it :) So glad you commented… xo
This speaks to me because I say no ALL the time. With 3 kiddos (one still a baby), it just seems like a hard season of life for a lot of going and doing new things so I can totally relate….but then we just sit in the house, with the kids bouncing off the walls and us getting frustrated. I’ve just been thinking lately that I want to be family that has a lot of of fun together and not just the norm. I want our kids to have crazy memories of our adventures together and just getting out into the fresh air and seeing the world a bit is sooo good for my soul. So thanks. :)
@Dana (Happy Little Lovelies), Our apartment is tiny, like super tiny. So getting out is key for me to feel refreshed, creative, like I have a little sanity in me :) Fresh air really does wonders! xo
Way to go, Maggie! The fact that you are adapting to diaper changes in the jeep and nursing in there too is great! I’ll bet Max enjoys (and can sense your relaxed state) having a relaxed mama. Keep up the good work and remember, to quote UP, “adventure is out there!”
Glad you had fun! You look amazing, I love your hair color. Maxwell is a doll!
@Jen, So many compliments — thank you!! :D
Thank you for this. I also have a newborn at home, she is my third and is 3 months old today. I have found myself saying no to almost everything and I feel like I should be more laid back with the third one. I was so much better with the first, nursing everywhere, venturing out. This “I want to be fully present and to teach Max how saying “yes” can make a huge difference between just being and truly living.” made me cry. In a good way! I needed to hear this today and I need to be brave now and say yes.
Yay for feeding the baby in the car. That was a big deal for me. Just getting out, like you said, seemed like a big project. It still is a big project with 4 little people 6 and under, but someone it seems more relaxed. I’m very proud of you for adventuring; it keeps things fresh.
i am so glad you had a wonderful time. it is so important to make memories and get those sweet experiences with your family. kudos to saying “Yes!” to the family get-away!
I think this whole adventure story is an inspirational good read for a lot of people who get stuck doing the safe things all of the time! Not everyone is ready to break out on a minutes notice! Now speaking as an older person this is one thing that age has taught me! If the opportunity is there seize it and go! Here one minute and the next it could be gone! Go for it groovy girl! But it seems like I don’t have to tell you tha because it seems like you realize this already!
@Jude Povich, You are such an encourager — ahh, I love it! Your perspective is amazing :) Here one minute, gone the next… so very true. I’m so glad you took a minute to leave a comment, thank you!!
AH! We are so alike. I too am a creature of habit. It’s so hard for me to say YES to something to out of routine but it’s always so fun (even if it is a lot of work) once we get into it. I’m glad y’all had fun. You’re taking on this new role just beautifully Mag! Love you!
@annie, OK, now move to Los Angeles so we can *really* be alike ;D
When my daughter was born, I found that (after recovering from my c-section) that having a baby didn’t stop me from leaving the house or hanging out with friends. Everyone wanted to see her anyway. My hubby and I have brought her with us to eat out many times and living on an island we’ve taken her off it to go to the mainland. I have to admit it was a huge relief to find out that just because I had a baby it didn’t mean I had to slow down and stop doing fun things. There’s just that extra consideration like feeding and changing her to make sure she stays happy and comfortable. Now she’s 10 months and more mobile and totally aware of the world around her so going out is even MORE fun because I get a whole new perspective on the world through her eyes. When we move back to the city I look forward to checking out all the various summer goings-on that my little girl might enjoy as a 1 year old.
nursed in the jeep! oh yes, twin!
YOU are GLOWING! xo
I love San Diego! My brother and sister in law live there with their one year old son.
I find myself doing the same thing, and it’s frustrating. I am trying to get myself out more, which is hard when my husband works crazy hours and I often have to do things myself. But it’s good.
Also, your little man is getting so much bigger! He’s adorable.
@Megan, Start with small things, plan to go to a coffee shop or Target and then see where that takes you. Sometimes being prepared with baby essentials (a stocked diaper bag and the stroller in the car) makes it so incredibly easy to try new things :) You got this!
Hope you had fun in San Diego! I just moved there last year and it’s a great city! LOVE the gaslamp district.
@Kris, It was so fun! I want to go back and eat there, we saw so many fun restaurants! Plus, we have to see the zoo. We. Have. To.
This is so great, Gussy. I can completely relate to both parts! Feeling like it will be so much work to get out and be adventurous but also wanting to teach my little kidlet how to live a full life! Thanks for sharing :) xo
@Joy, Yes — but, are we crazy for wanting to make it happen? Just say no ;)
I am so happy for you. You are stunning!
Babies LOVE to get out of the house and see new things (and it’s good for us moms too). I made a point of getting my boys out of the house daily when they were young, and we always traveled with them – to places near and far. It didn’t bother me that they wouldn’t remember some of the earlier trips because I did and all of the new experiences and places they were exposed to helped shape them into the people they are today. My boys – now in their early 20s so I guess I should call them men – love to travel (with their friends and with us) and are always up for an adventure and it’s surprising how much they do remember.
@Peggy, This is such a beautiful comment. I love what you wrote about how it’s shaped them into the people they are today. There’s so much wisdom in that. Plus, it’s good practice for the craziness of mamahood. It’s a really wonderful crazy…