Bugsitter
This is the last time I will be a bridesmaid. Both because all my friends are pretty much married now, and because I no longer have the energy for all the additional wedding-party activities.
My dear friend Melanie’s parents own a canoe outfitters, so I took off from work and drove to Fredericksburg at dawn for a pre-wedding flotilla. We put 9 canoes in at Blankenbaker’s and had a wonderful float for a mile before stopping to swim, clamber on rocks and eat lunch. My canoe buddy was Moira, about 7 months pregnant with her first. We had lots to talk about. Of course spending all morning going a single mile meant we had about 2 hours left to paddle the remaining six.
We pulled in at 3:30. Quick to the hotel, check in and unload the Land Cruiser. 3 trips from vehicle to room, even with the bellboy cart, because i brought every last toy I could fit in the truck. It looks like I am opening a daycare in the Hilton Garden Inn. Shower, change and back to the cabin by 5:00 for the rehearsal. Except for the big contusion on my shin from where a river rock bit me, we clean up pretty good.
We tottered around in heels on the grass for a bit, rehearsing, then back to the hotel. Zac has driven up with the baby after work, met up with the sitter (registered with care.com and answered our craigslist ad, we have never met her, but talked to 2 great references.)
The other couple who were to share the sitter tonight has reconsidered. They are not comfortable leaving the baby with someone they don’t really know. Honestly, neither am I. But he can’t come to the rehearsal dinner either. I have spent all day trying not to think about it.
When I get to our room, Zac is tying his tie. He looks like a million bucks. The sitter is on the floor with Lex in her lap reading him a book. He looks really really happy. She tells me how advanced he is. I like her instantly.
Anyone else and I might not have left, but she is great. CPR-certified, articulate, enamored with our baby, clearly not part of an Internet baby-stealing gang like his Nana warned me about. I go to Fredericksburg Square for a lovely rehearsal dinner. I am exhausted but relaxed. I tell the babysitter not to worry if he doesn’t go to sleep, he had a late nap in the car on the drive up.
Dinner is delicious, from the cheese course to the assorted desserts. There are a dozen toasts to the happy couple. Her parents give the bridesmaids coupons to a spa where we will gather in the morning for a day of beauty. The bride gives us earrings made by Adler-Greer to match our dresses.
When we get back at 10 he is wide awake. He’s in a great mood, just clearly not interested in sleeping without his Momma. He loved the sitter and was fine in the hotel room, but expected us to be back before bedtime and he was right.
Goodnight little Bug. Momma is back.
