About Joanna Track
Four years ago, Sweetspot.ca Founder Joanna Track settled down with her darling husband and his two adorable young boys. She’s since added “new mom” to her long list of achievements with the addition of baby Teddy. Check back weekly for her tales of sweet family life.
Pregnancy comes with many aches and pains. But one of the benefits of having your baby in your belly is that you know where he is at all times.
For me, in the first six weeks after Teddy was born, we were never separated for more than the two-hour window between feeds. Then came our first big “night out.” We were in L.A. for a friend’s wedding, Teddy in tow (there are also adventures with traveling with a six-week-old, but that’s another story). I had the good fortune of having my aunt in L.A. at the same time so she offered to babysit. The wedding was a 45-minute drive from the hotel so there was no sneaking back between courses for a quick visit.
I was fine for the first part of the night. Then I distinctly remember getting through the second course of dinner when I was hit with a pang in the heart. It turns out this nauseating feeling was the onset of separation anxiety. I had a insatiable urge to jump in the next taxi back into town, but after a few deep breaths (and a phone call to the hotel) and I was able to enjoy the rest of the night.
Then last month my husband took it to the next level, by planning our first “night away.” He even went so far as to arrange all the babysitters too (such a good man). We had a lovely day wandering through Niagara on the Lake, followed by a fantastic dinner. Then it hit me again. This time it was just before bed. It was the first time I wouldn’t be able to go for one last peek of sleeping Teddy (my most favourite thing). But once the heart palpitations subsided, I was able to enjoy my first eight-hour sleep in three months!
As if that wasn’t daring enough, last weekend I went for my biggest feat. This one was “Girls’ Weekend” in New York. And while I was out gallivanting with my girlfriends (by gallivanting, I mean shopping to exhaustion), Teddy was having a boys’ weekend, of sorts. He was with his dad and his two brothers. When telling this to one of my friends, she was in awe that my husband was willing and able to take that on (like I said, a very good man). To be honest, my biggest worry while I was away was what horrid, un-matching outfit my husband might have put Teddy in.
Did I feel the pang? Yes, I did. But it was easier than the last time. And I’m sure it will get easier next time. I also know that for me it is important to take time away. Not only is it good for me (I strongly believe a happy Mommy makes a happy baby), it’s also good for Teddy as he learns how to be with other people and allows him to have new experiences (even if those experiences include wearing his clothes inside out and backwards).
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