Astrid yells ‘mama mama’ like it’s been years since she has seen me and not just since Friday. I pick her up and she squeezes my cheeks as she brings her lips to mine. Then she puts her arms tightly around my neck and pulls me to her in a squeeze so hard that she makes a loud POP sound before she lets go. There’s nothing better than a ‘pop hug’.
Esther hugs me gently around my waist with her face at my chest. I kiss the top of her head and then she looks up and meets my eyes. Hers shining as I bend down to meet her lips and hug her harder. She whispers that she missed me.
I put my arm around Eloise and pull her close and nuzzle her hair that I don’t have to bend down for. Was she really standing tall reaching my shoulder just two days ago or did she grow again. Did I miss it? She quickly moves away but meets my eyes and smiles. I know that later on without all of the people around that she will hop on my lap just before bedtime and share her weekend stories.
I don’t leave my kids very often. I rarely go for lunch or even coffee, let alone a full two nights away. I loved my little vacation, but in truth I wonder what I missed at home besides the growing laundry pile.
These kids seem to change by the minute so I selfishly don’t want to miss any of it. I mean what if I went away for day and came home to find out all of the ‘pop hugs’ had expired.
You described coming home perfectly. I am a complete homebody and have never minded it, although the sound of kids running to the door and the hugs when you return are amazing.
Oh my goodness your girls are adorable, as are those photos. And their names.
Steph
someday i want to leave just to feel what it feels like to come home. but i don’t.
you get that, don’t you?
I totally get that. I’m so glad I was able to quit my job. I used to ache at work.
Definitely a perfect description of coming home. Oh how I hate to miss out on things with the girls (even though I need my own breaks sometimes too).
I’m a homebody, too. Very hard to leave those little ones, but much needed sometimes. The coming home reunions sure are sweet.
)
Lovely, truly. I work this way, too. xo
I’m such a homebody too, but knowing that when I do go out I’ll return to those tight hugs and kisses does warm my heart.
beautiful! having just had 1 night away i relate wih joy to the homecoming!
I’ve not been away from Monkey for more than 24 hours, and I missed him so much, my heart ached.
Love the way you expressed that sentiment.
We are very much the same my friend. I cannot believe how much I miss these little people
They would definitely make it worth returning home. Love love the pictures!
Your girls are lovely. I need a little mini vacation where I can feel that again. Sometimes, you just want to miss it because day to day can be hard.
I hate that feeling when you are away- like you are missing things. So bittersweet to be away for a mom.
The pictures are beautiful!
I love this! People don’t get why I don’t like to leave my son very often, but I feel like I’m missing out on so much since he changes so much in just a couple of days!
He’s a little secret of mine – we’ve never even hired a babysitter.
That last picture just made me smile a smile that’ll carry me through this morning’s meetings without the desire to curse at my co-workers. I think it’ll last at least until 3:00. Thank you.
YOU – made my day. xo
I competely hear you on this one.
I had severe postpartum depression when my son was born. I missed an entire year of his life. I can’t recall the snuggles or his first crawl…
So now? He’s three and I want to soak up every single minute of him.
They truly meant that if you blink, you’ll miss them grow
Oh I am so sorry. I ache. I’m so glad you are soaking up that precious time now. xoxo
So glad you had a get away, they will just appreciate you that much more ! Darling pics
When my kids were younger, I used to long for getaways (every month or so, but I’d only go once a year).
Then, after about eight solid hours away, I’d start to miss them.
At the 24 hour-mark, I’d begin longing to be home.
But fifteen minutes after returning to my children and receiving my own “pop hug,” I’d want to be away again.
That push and pull of independence and ties-that-bind, of freedom and love?
It never ends.
DANG it.
I loved your descriptions of how each of your girls greeted you. It says as much about their individual personalities as it does about their respective ages. Just lovely.
At least when you leave them, they have each other to entertain! Sisters are your first (and best) friends!
This is so true. I am so grateful they have each other.
Mondays are rough days for me – I wake up at 4am, walk the dogs, shower, and leave for work (I have a morning call at 6am). I then work until 4pm, when I have dinner by myself before heading to symphony rehearsal.
I get home from symphony some time between 10 and 10:30 at night, which is (supposed to be) well after the kids are asleep. Then, Tuesday, I’m commonly out of the door before anyone is awake . . . so I go from Sunday at bedtime to Tuesday at dinnertime without seeing the little buggers.
It’s rough.
Oh John – that is rough.
(
That last picture is GORGEOUS!
And I like being away from home but its always good to come back.
I have trouble leaving, too. I do it, because it strengthens my marriage, but I struggle with it.
So much so that I’m taking my kids and parents with me to Blissdom. They will visit with my grandma and be in a different hotel, but at least they won’t be ten hours away from me.
I love getting a short time away too. Then I can’t wait to get home to my fussy hug-able three year old.
I need a little time away now and then. Just not too often. I miss my boys when I’m gone.
oooh every single picture of those girls makes me smile.
So glad you are home safe and sound 
They’ll never expire. I refuse to let it happen!
These photos are so wonderfully awesome. Glad you’re back home.
This was well expressed. How can we be there every single second and still miss it? I ask that question regularly.
This is the same reason I stay home.
Yep..me too.
Love this and so relate. Also love your girls names. My littles names are old-er as well, I just use initials on my blog.
I love going away without the kids…and not just for the break…but because the homecoming is so sweet…
you know, for five minutes until they start fighting and I want to leave again
But if you don’t leave you don’t get to come home! It’s like a refresh button for all of you!
those need to be your Christmas card photos, cutie.
I live for hugs, I really do.
I kinda love Esther’s outfit. Just sayin’