I had to think long and hard about this week's "Thankful" post, which is why it's a day late.
Ben and I have been feeling some "baby pressure" lately. Friends, family, the little off-hand comments that they make. Some of it is our fault - we readily engage in the "what baby names do you like this week" game, and it seems that not more than a few days goes by without us (or someone else) making a comment that begins with "when we have kids..."
But, we're not there yet. There are several reasons for this, and while we want to have a family eventually, we need to be smart and wait until the time is right.
So, today, this week, this month (you get the idea), I'm trying to be thankful for this season of our lives.
I'm thankful that we only have to worry about the 2 of us.
I'm thankful that we can go to sleep at night and (most nights) not wake up until our alarms start beeping at 7:30.
I'm thankful that we don't have to stress over paying for diapers and formula and bottles and childcare and car seats and more diapers and toys and baby clothes...
I'm thankful that we can go out to dinner without hauling 20 pounds of baby crap with us (and sit to enjoy a pleasant meal without a fussy little one).
I'm thankful that, at least for now, we can make plans without worrying about how it will effect a napping schedule.
I'm thankful that our apartment doesn't smell of spit-up and soiled diapers.
I'm thankful that we have the option to take a vacation without worrying about how a baby would handle the travels.
Don't get me wrong - we do want all of those things - the smelly diapers, the 3 a.m. feedings, the cranky toddler in a restaurant (and of course all the fun stuff that comes with kids)...just not yet.
I know someday we will look back on these days of "just the 2 of us" and smile (or possibly struggle to remember what life was like before little ones).
So, as we wait for the "right time" to present itself - I will be thankful for this time in our lives when all we have to worry about is each other!
