Babymoon #2

So, you already know about our trip to Cancun. But there is another type of babymoon we're taking as well.

http://www.myriamedia.com/press/chicagotribune-babymoon.htm

I think its incredibly important to time away to celebrate the creation of a new family unit. After a wedding, its the honeymoon. The time you take to spend with your new spouse and develop that relationship. The time you take to be alone, just the two of you. After a great deal of thought and research, Jemar and I realized that we needed this time after the birth of our child. It's not the most popular idea and actually can raise some strong reactions, but we both feel it's the right move for us.

At our wedding, my last single girl moments were spent with my Mother (who was my matron of honor) and my Daddy (who was giving me away). No one else was around, it was just us. Its not as though we talked about anything deep or shared any meaningful glances, but it meant the world to me. Likewise, at the end of the night when it was finally just Jemar and I, that quiet time together was the most special. I want to experience the same thing after our child is born.

Assuming this is a normal, complication free delivery, Jemar will take a week off work. During that time, we will essentially go into hiding. After sending a text or a voicemail letting everyone know of the safe arrival, phones will be turned on silent and our babymoon will begin. For seven days, we'll bond and have the chance to fall further in love with each other. It will be just Jemar, myself and Monkey; a new family taking time to get to know each other.

By the end of that week, Monkey will know who his parents are. Jemar (who has NEVER changed a diaper and admits he's at a loss with baby care) will be able to learn in peace and when he goes back to work will have confidence that he can take care of his child with or without me present. As for me, I'll be content knowing that Jemar and I have learned how to work together to take care of Monkey and that when visitors do come, they'll be fitting into our system instead of the other way around.

What about our parents you ask? We LOVE both sets of our parents. They are involved a great deal in our lives, but they never overstep. They really give us the chance to live and make our own mistakes. We can't wait to see our parents (and parents-in-law) hold and love on their new grandchild. (I also can't wait until they take him/her for the summer either, but that's another post). But despite the excitement we will feel that day, I know the baby will be at least a week old before it happens.

Thankfully, we've been blessed with two sets of parents that will understand. In fact, back when news of the baby was new, it was my super-sweet mother-in-law that told me while they would come rushing down in August, they would wait and give us time together as a family. We feel blessed to have their support in our "babymoon"............but we're also looking forward to having eight extra helping hands!

So friends, for seven days we will be incommunicado. We won't answer our door. We most likely won't return phone calls or texts. But we will, spend every moment reveling in our new life. But don't worry, I'll make sure one or both of us, posts messages and pictures so that while you can't talk to us or be there, you'll still be updated on Monkey and the new Tisby family.

It maybe selfish or too controlling, but it's the best thing for our family, and we're ready to fight to make sure it gets honored. And you know what they say, anything worth having, is worth fighting for!