The Grass Isn't Greener in Previously Visited Pastures

I was wiping Anna's nose the other day, asking if she had pooped yet, when it struck me: The romance has been killed good and dead around here, replaced with shrieks of indignation during diaper changes (from baby AND mom) and 3 a.m. feedings and splotches of flung yogurt on the kitchen curtains and endless streams of "don't touch that, don't eat that, don't stick that your/the cat's nose/ear/eye/hind end"...Having a baby changes EVERYTHING. I don't mean this in a bad way. Believe me, I find a lot of the above very amusing and the hubby and I make it work. We have fun with it. We tease Anna (just a little-it's good for her!) and we laugh (mostly) at the frustrating moments. But there are definitely some things that I miss from our childless days:

1. SLEEP. I hope you note the emphasis on this one.
2. The ability to pick up and go - to the movies, out to dinner, on a road trip - and not A) need to arrange a babysitter or B) feel anxious about spending yet MORE time away from her
3. Going to work without feeling absolutely wrong about being there. I love my job. I love my baby. I've lost my sanity.

You know, I started this post thinking "there are so many things from my kid-free days that I miss! I'll make a post about them!" But now that I actually sit and think about it, there aren't that many things that I miss. Yes, our relationship has shifted, but we've shifted together. Grown together. Sure, we talk about another person's bowel movements like the most recent football scores. You think that's strange? You should witness the bargaining and arguing over whose turn it is to change her! Maybe we tip-toe around and speak only in whispers after 8 p.m., and maybe nap time has turned into a choice between nap while she naps, or see how much laundry you can fold in two hours. But I like these things. And that sweet little girl who toddled into the kitchen this morning and exuberantly said, "Hi, Dad!" makes any parental sacrifice look like no sacrifice at all.

(We'll see how much I agree with that last statement after our flight tomorrow! Wish me luck!)