Gone to Denver for business

I just returned from my first business trip away from Alex. When my boss asked, I said that I had to talk to Lance first, but then after we agreed that it would be fine, I said yes. But, in my mind, as the words were coming out of my mouth - I was screaming NO NO NO!

I knew it would be OK, and it was for the most part. I left a 3PM on Wednesday afternoon and left a little note for Alex (for Lance to read to him) that night. After a very nice flight to Denver I called home after I picked up my rental car. Alex was in the background and Lance put him up to the phone and I told him how much I missed him and loved him. He kept saying Mama Mama and was actually talking to me!

Apparently that night he fell asleep on Lance while watching tv and he put him to bed in our bed. We figured it would probably be much easier for both of them. He slept all night!

Lance got up and ready while Alex was still sleeping and finally had to wake him up to get ready to go. When I emailed that morning, while I was in a meeting, this is what Lance wrote me:

Everything was good last night, but this morning he REALLY missed his Momma. We slept in our bed and when I woke him up (after doing everything I needed to) he said “Momma?” and then started looking for you under the covers, in the closet, in the bathroom, etc. Daddy kept saying that Momma is in Denver and that she would be home tonight. He was pretty sad on the drive down and was very clingy when I left him at daycare. I miss you and love you.

I had tears well up in my eyes during the meeting, but tears of joy not sadness. He knew I wasn't there and that he missed me. It was my first night away from him and things were pretty OK. I think the good part was it was only one night. I think a few more days and I would've been a wreck!

I called again on Thursday around 5pm from Denver and told Lance I would be home around midnight. I asked him to tell Alex that I would come home that night and snuggle in with him in our bed.

I missed him quite a bit even though things were OK on my first business trip away from him. I'm just glad I don't travel that often. In fact, the last time I traveled for business I was 7 mo pregnant going to Washington DC for a conference.

What I realized was that being gone to work 5 days a week is enough for me to be away from him (too much time away, but no part-time for me in the near or far future). I cherish and anticipate when Lance and Alex are coming home each night and I have to keep myself busy just from jumping out of my skin sometimes.