Unable to otherwise solve my child care issues this week, I had to leave my 8 month old daughter with my mother five hours away in another state. I feel like I left an arm behind as well.

My mother, who teaches school and is having her cousin watch Sophia during the day, is ecstatic to be Grandma all week. When we spoke on the phone last night she said that baby hugs and kisses are wonderful and something that has been missing from her life for a long time. I’m sure that by the end of the week she’ll be happy to pack up the baby and send her home, but for a few days they are both enjoying the time together.

Here in Richmond, life without baby hasn’t been great. As I have said before, once you have a kid all of the things you thought were wonderful just don’t seem as grand. A good night’s sleep, drinks with friends, time alone - it’s just not the same. It’s those baby hugs and kisses. They’re addictive.

It’s only Wednesday, but in my few days without my daughter around I have confirmed a few things:

1- My hair does look better when I blow it dry. I am going to have to actually spend money on a decent hair dryer so I can fix my hair more often.
2- Fixing my hair only involves blow drying. Hot rollers are a thing of the past.
3- I am going to have to find a real child care solution. My in-laws have been great, but it’s time to enroll the kid in baby school.
4- My house will never again be clean. This doesn’t bother me as much as it should.
5- My old convertible is nice, but the four-door family sedan drives better and is easier to park. Who knew?