Help for Insanity

Nathan in his ever increasing understanding of the stress I am under has been more than gracious in helping me connect with friends and having some time away. I usually go to a friends' house and bring Keira with me. I have been doing this for the past couple of months every two weeks or so. It's such a great thing to look forward to, and I don't feel guilty because I still put all the boys to bed before I leave. Let me tell you how grateful I am for this time, and for friends who understand Keira is still attached the me. Thankfully she more times than not, sleeps the whole time. One of my friends who recently moved to my town invited me over this past week, so it was an incredible last minute break. Keira literally slept the entire time we were at her house. Why do I write about this right now? Well for a couple of reasons. The first being advice. New moms... take advantage of that car seat/ go anywhere stage. Babies this little will be more well adjusted to change and new surroundings if you have them out and about with you. More than that, you still have time for YOU and can connect with other adults which is so necessary. Speaking for myself, when after having a baby I did not get time with friends, I ended up bitter towards others who went out and felt alone and depressed. You are still a person, not JUST a mom (although I'll be honest when I get together with friends we mostly talk about BEING a mom, and our kids, etc.)
The second reason I write about this is for mourning. Yes, mourning that unless you live within two minutes of my house, I will not have this chance to have my girl nights anymore. Football does not end until after 8, and once I get Ty home and get the other kids into bed (hopefully before Ty gets home) and get him fed and showered and throw his smelly clothes immediately into the wash, it is well after 9/930, and I am exhausted, and well it's late for me (yes again, sad but true.)
For those who have hosted, thank you!!! It means so much to me to have been able to "escape" and unwind. It means even more to me that I was able to bring Keira (and it means a lot to Nathan as well, since anatomically he isn't built to feed on demand) and that I didn't feel like this was a burden. I will honestly miss these nights more than I can say. Thank you for inviting us, thank you for your hospitality, thank you for your generosity. I look forward to a slightly less hectic schedule so I can join once again in our girls nights. You have helped me adjust to being a mother of four, you have helped me relieve stress, you have been so much fun to be around. You have helped me stay sane as a "new" mom (yes even though she is my fourth, it doesn't mean I don't go through some of the same things as someone with a first.) I am grateful for the new bonds and the reconnections made. I hope this can convey exactly how much it has meant to me.