Survival of the fittest...or funniest...or...

So, yesterday I took a deep breath, put a big smile on my face, and pretended to be SUPER excited for my sweet little Anabella to be leaving her Mama to go with her Daddy back to Vancouver for three days. Count them, THREE days.  I don't know how many times (on the way to the ferry and while we were waiting at the ferry) I said, "Oh Anabella, I'm SO EXCITED for you to see your Daddy, you're going to have SO MUCH FUN!",  when deep down all I wanted to do was hold on tight to her, cry and never let her go.  I loved her up, smothered her with "smoocheroonies", got her her "Timmy's", and loaded her up with treats.  


I love THAT girl...enough to let her go and be happy with the other person on earth who loves her just as much as I do....or pretty dam close, not sure if anyone could possibly love her as much as I do.


I learned from my first experience of her leaving last weekend, that there are some key things necessary to make the "child exchange" day and transition easier....


1) Never and I mean NEVER, let the little bean see you sweat...plaster that SMILE on like there's no tomorrow, even if it means you have to bite your tongue so hard you bleed doing it.


2) Treats...treats...treats....She's so excited to have treats in her hand when she walks away with her Daddy, that she smiles, laughs and runs away saying, "Bye Mama, I LUBBA you...see you soooon." 


3) Bring a good friend or family member to the ferry terminal to help give you strength and something ELSE to focus on too....she had fun on the way to the ferry and she leaves a Mama who's smiling and not standing alone.  Thank god for those friends...


4) ACCEPT that it's happening, accept that your treasure-bean is gone for a few days and she's safe and sound with her Daddy. Then make the most of your ALONE time.  Spend it doing all the things you can't or don't do when you're a full time hands on Mama.  Hang out with amazing friends, bask in the sunshine ALL day long, LAUGH,  have long grown up conversations, drink a glass of wine or two or three, have a sleepover, go to the tanning beds, go for lunch, go shopping, SLEEP IN.  This is a part of your  new life now.  SO chin up buttercup, and accept it for what it is. TRY to enjoy it and make the best of the time you are alone...there's no going back and would you really even if you could?! 

Mama & Bella - Two peas in a pod from minute one....

So, I did good...toot toot....again. Spoke with her and her Daddy this morning and SHE did good too.  Clearly, I must be doing something right to have such a well adjusted little girl on my hands.  I tooootally lucked out in the child department, just sayin'.  She has surpassed all of my expectations and taught me so much about myself and what matters.  I can deal with all of it NOW that I've found me again...


Thanks to the people who have wrapped their arms around me and supported me through this....and in turn without even trying, helped bring that person back to life....


Love my girl.
xo