in three quarters time

Before my due date, I remember there being a lot of discussion from "seasoned moms" about the best baby gifts that they received. Some said that the casseroles they received were life savers; others thought that nothing could be better than a month's subscription to a cleaning service. But, to me, the best gift that anyone mentioned was the one that my sister-in-law A got from her sister L.

I remember A telling me how when my niece was born her sister would get up each morning when Lil M awoke and take her downstairs so that A could get a few more hours of rest after a restless night. I remember thinking how thoughtful it was of L and how grateful A must have been for the additional rest. And, since Baby Beeton's birth, I often think about that story, how wonderful it must have been to drift back to sleep, knowing full well that you needn't worry because someone you loved and trusted was with your baby.

Around here, it's been me, Mr. Beeton, Ella, and Baby Beeton most of the time. We don't have lots of friends and family stopping by to visit or help out. And, we haven't found a babysitter that we trust. While I love our little family, sometimes it would be nice to have a bit of a break - to have a glass of wine at Cedar Crossing with my husband, to paint the basement without having to first mastermind a safe space down there for Baby Beeton to hang out while we work, to nap without worrying that we're letting each other down.

We got that little break over Christmas when we stayed at my parents' house in Pennsylvania. Nana, Pops, and Auntie M were all on hand to play with Baby Beeton, to keep him entertained, to hold him while I tried on some desperately needed new clothes, to watch him while we went out to eat. While we didn't sleep well, I napped and felt more relaxed than I have in months. Having that kind of love and support not just over the phone but in person was wonderful. I didn't realize how much I needed it until I had it.

So, while we've gotten some great presents and eaten some fabulous holiday food, what I'll remember most about this Christmas is that time we spent in Pennsylvania, feeling like it wasn't just us against the world, feeling like we had a little extra wind at our back.

To me, that was the greatest gift of all.

Happy New Year!

Martha