Leavin'

Things have been a little quiet around here, I know.  We've been packing, planning and preparing for our Ireland trip.  We made the decision midway through the planning process that we weren't going to bring Anni with us.  I cringe a little every time I say that, like the other person is going to assume I'm an awful mother for leaving her.  Luckily, she'll be in the infinitely capable and loving hands of my mama, a woman I would trust more quickly than myself in an emergency.  She won't have to deal with 13 hours of travel and a significant time change and she will be surrounded by cousins, aunts and uncles and grandparents who adore her.  But still, it's important to me that she feels as loved as possible, so I've been trying to be truly present.  We've gone on more walks this week, and done a lot more cuddling.  Daniel and I have stayed up singing her favorite songs on video, so that even when she can't reach us during this next week, she can see us if she needs it.  I'm allowing myself this mommy guilt, I think it's motivating to make sure I read her the extra books, sing the extra songs and cuddle as much as I can, so her little love tank is full up when we get on that plane.  However, I'm also reminding myself that it's okay to be beyond excited to be heading to Ireland.  I mean, guys (gals?), I'm going to IRELAND!  Daniel and I have dreamed of traveling abroad together since we started dating (he had just finished a semester in Italy at the time), and this is our first shot at it.  We were beyond blessed that we know an amazing family living in Dublin who are taking us in during our trip.  We have another friend coming with us and fulfilling her lifelong dream of visiting the land of her ancestors... it's kind of a trip all about fulfilling dreams.  And will I miss my baby?  YES!  I think that's good, and I think we're both going to come out better than okay in the end.

Until next time and the inundation of green, green pictures... love you all!