We did it!

This weekend, Zach and I had a friend's engagement party to attend so Mom was going to come babysit Carter for us for a night out.  We also have a very quick approaching summer trip, in which we will be leaving our sweet baby for 1 week with his Gigi and Captain.  That means Carter (ok, Mommy really) needs to be comfortable being away overnight.  Truthfully, it will probably affect me more! :)  Zach and I have been trying to think of a night that would be great to leave Carter over night and realizing we're running out of time, thought why not this night? 
So, realizing that I think leaving for just a night would be easy, we had to do more.  C is a great sleeper and once in bed (usually between 7:15-7:45) he's out for the night.  We don't hear from him until the following morning around 6:30-7:00 so I figured it would be very simple for my parents.  Also, leaving for just a day is easy. I do this fairly often (at least once a week). There's comfort knowing that whatever kind of day he had, his Mommy will be able to soothe him, or just play if he doesn't need soothing, when she gets back.  Where I figured my struggle would be was combining a full day and night.  More than a 24 hour period.  So, that's just what I wanted to do.
We dropped Carter off before his first nap, around 8:30 and headed off for our special day.  We did many of our old favorites.  Nothing fancy, just had a coffee date at Starbucks, which many of you know is a staple for us.  We sat outside in the sunshine for a little over an hour, talking interruption free....though of course some of that conversation was about Lil C.  Then went to our usual shopping spots which included getting a few pairs of shoes each! :)  and some cute clothes for Carter.  We decided to grab lunch at Idle Rich to enjoy their patio and have an afternoon beer!  YUM! :)  Then we headed home to get ready for Kristen and Travis' engagement party. 



Great quality time with the man I love more every day!

 We had a great time celebrating their upcoming wedding.  It was a beautiful house, great dessert table! (a plus in my book), and a good time meeting her and catching up with him.  Zach and I also just enjoyed being out for an evening.  We dogo out sometimes, but those days have definitely dwindled in the last 7 months.  We wouldn't trade it though. 
Overall, it was successful!  I didn't cry at all.  I was a little anxious leaving him initially but my mom is so great and lets me call as often as I like so I called after each nap.  :)  When I woke up at 7 the next morning (out of habit), I was excited that I could go back to sleep but also ready to get Carter.  I dozed in and out until just before 9---when did this last happen?!?  Quite wonderful!  We headed to family dinner after that.
Everything went great for my parents.  Carter was good and easy and they discovered he LOVES dogs!  He went next door to play with the neighbor's and was squealing and laughing while they were licking and running around him. 
Zach and I are looking to see what our next over night will be!
Now I know I can and will survive...now we'll just see how a whole week goes!.....

Parents Night Out

Last weekend the Hiners and Johnstons decided enough planning to plan a  night out, let's make this happen!  So Captain and Gigi came over to Christi and Danny's where we had all kiddos bathed and in bed so that we could go out for an adult night!  In the car, we declared the rule would be we couldn't talk about kids only all night, that was to be kept to a minimum.  :)  So, we headed off to Cafe Madrid for some tapas, a new experience for Danny and Christi.  It is the best way to eat because it feels like you're being extremely indulgent ordering 9 plates of food- but since they're small plates- it's just the right amount: at least that's what we tell ourselves.  We had everything from calamari to roasted red peppers to meatballs.  Sangria was our guest of honor and we enjoyed our 2 pitchers.  :)  Dinner was topped with with espresso for Zach, a cappucino for me, and a chocolate chocolate for Christi and I to share.  We had so much fun chatting through dinner and found ourselves laughing away.  It's so wonderful to be so close with family members.  We have a blast with them!
Didn't want the night to end there so we headed over to Capital on Knox Henderson for a drink.  We all had a few Stella's - delicious!  The music was old school so we were having a blast with that.  So much so that Christi got up on the benches and danced for us!  :)  Way to let loose Momma!!  That's what we should be doing on a night out!  Living it up!  We stayed and chatted until it was time to head home.  On the way home, we kept the fun going with 2Pac singing us to their driveway.  We did contemplate putting on 98 degrees but decided to stick with ol Pac! :)  We spent the night there since the babies were asleep and woke up for a delicious family breakfast the next morning. 
Can't wait to do that again!  Thanks Mom and Dad!!!!