A day just for me. :)

Maia has been at Nana and Papa's house since Thursday late morning, and Brian has been in Seattle since Wednesday. Thursday noon-time, then, was the start of a very long stretch of time that I've had entirely to myself, with no obligations except an optometrist appointment on Thursday afternoon. It's been really, really lovely. Don't get me wrong: I love our family, but I also cherish these stretches of time to myself that I can fill however I wish. It feels very decadent and indulgent.

So, today (Friday), here's what I did:

1. Woke up very late, at about 8:15.
2. Bummed around in my PJs for a bit, reading stuff here and there on the interwebs and having my morning coffee.
3. Went out to Border's and thumbed my way through novels and short story collections and magazines. I settled on Runaway, by Alice Munro.
4. Went to Whole Foods and partook of the salad bar for lunch.
5. Browsed around at REI and got some electrolyte gel chews for my doula bag (a great energy burst for moms in labor!). I also got myself a new winter hat.
6. Took a nap!!! Awesome!!!!
7. Went to the gym for 45 minutes of cardio and yoga.
8. Went to Zingerman's at 9 PM, read my Munro book, and had a mint tea and spinach/feta salad.
9. Now I'm home, and Brian will arrive sometime in the middle of the night. He's taking a red-eye from Seattle and it sounds like he had a very productive, successful trip.

Maia will come home tomorrow afternoon, at which point we're going to take my Dad's van and get Maia's twin bed from IKEA. I think we'll set it up tomorrow in her room, and perhaps Brian and I will move some other furniture around while Nana and Papa are in town to hang out with her royal self.

Today, I was talking to Maia on the phone, and she had made Christmas cookies with Nana and Papa. I heard her say this: "Mmmmm-mmmm! These are the best good cookies that I've ever had! I love you, Mama, but I'm eating a cookie right now! Bye!" :) Priorities in order: check.