this weekend

This weekend, we did something a little new.

One of our babysitters plays on the Rice Women’s Basketball team, and this weekend, she invited us to come out and see them play! So on Saturday, we bundled up the stroller and headed over to the Rice Stadium (which, conveniently, is basically across the street from our house). And Bear got to experience his first basketball game!

As he’s gotten a little bit older and more interested in the world, we really can’t keep him cooped up at home on the weekends anymore. His nursery is fine for naps and our playroom is fun for a few hours, but if we don’t get out of the house at least once for a few hours, this little kiddo is not a happy camper. So the idea of a fun outing in the afternoon? Yes please.

And we had a blast! I’m not sure he knew exactly what was happening, but he sat in our laps and watched the game every once in a while, and the people and noises kept him happily occupied for two hours. So in my book, that is a WIN.

This type of outing is what I was most looking forward to when I thought, years ago, about having kids. Little family outings to the zoo or the museum or the park or the playground, the ones that I did with my parents that they still tell stories about. (Please, do not get my mom started about feeding the ducks. Apparently I was, like, super into feeding the ducks and have consequently heard that story oh, maybe five trillion times.) I’d think about my future life and those future outings, and even though I had no idea what my family would look like or where we’d be living, I’d still imagine those little moments.

And, then, on Saturday, I blinked and suddenly one of those moments was here, right in front of me. The imaginary moment I’d always thought about, taking my child on family outings and coming up with fun activities to share with him.

And, you know what I did, when I realized that moment was happening?

I just smiled at our son and made a mental note of how incredibly grateful I am for this life.

In the last ten months, there were days (and nights) with a newborn that felt like they would never end. There were weeks and months when juggling work and motherhood feels like more than I can possibly do. There were moments when I was certain that I’ll never have time for a manicure, a full night of sleep, or a minute to myself until this kid leaves for college. (A small part of me is still convinced that this is a possibility.) Those were hard moments.

But there are also moments like this weekend, when I come up for air and look around and think:

oh, wow.

This moment that I always dreamed of.

It’s happening right here in front of me.

So, baby Bear, I hope you enjoyed your first basketball game.

Your mom sure did.