Paul and I escaped . . . for a little while at least

Last weekend, Nikki agreed to watch Elliot so Paul and I could finally go out on a date. We were so excited since we'd only been out without him once before in the whole year since he was born. So, full of anxious anticipation, I purchased concert tickets to see one of our favourite African bands, Amadou and Miriam.

Things started out really well. We managed to get ourselves and Elliot fed and ready, and I only sounded minimally neurotic when I went over the important info that I thought Nikki needed to know. All the way into Perth, I kept turning around to talk to Elliot and panicking when I saw his seat empty. Slowly the panic would turn into glee as I realized that Elliot was in good hands and I didn't have to worry about anything but having a good time for a couple of hours. Well so I thought . . .

Turns out that I can't turn off my worrier very well and I found myself thinking about him all night. After just over an hour (I'd been wanting to ring since we got there) I snuck out to the bathroom to give Nikki a ring and found (as I suspected) that she was having a rough time getting Elliot to go to sleep. She assured me that she'd sort out something and that I should go back to the concert. A half hour later, I made Paul call because I didn't want to seem too neurotic, and Elliot was still awake and quite upset. Again, Nikki told us not to worry and have a good time, but as much as I liked the music I just couldn't relax and enjoy myself. Twenty minutes later, I rang home again and when I found out that Elliot was still awake and upset, I texted Paul to meet me at the entrance because I couldn't take it anymore.

By the time we got home, Elliot was finally asleep, but in his stroller because the only way Nikki could get him to stop crying was to walk him back and forth up and down the street for the past forty-five minutes. She even enlisted Nola, our neighborhood grandma, for support. They both looked visibly shaken and commented on how strong Elliot's lungs are. I'm not sure we'll be able to get either one of them to babysit again!

Of course, later that night, Elliot woke up as we were moving him from his stroller to his crib and let us know just how mad he was at us for leaving him on his birthday. (I didn't mention that bit before because I was feeling quite guilty about it, but seriously, it's not like he can read a calendar, right?)

The moral of the story is that I've accepted the fact that going out without Elliot is probably a bit overrated and certainly not worth the trauma that Elliot, Nikki and I endured. If we do, months from now, get brave and try to sneak out for a bit on our own, Paul and I will be waiting until Elliot is well and truly sound asleep!