Homecoming

Those of you who know me know I travel...a lot. Unfortuantely it also happens to come in waves. Sometimes I'll go an entire blissful month of interrupted days and nights with my two favorite men just to be hit with three trips in as many weeks. Such is the cycle I'm in now.

As Ryan has gotten older life on the road has actually gotten a bit easier. Now, I can talk to him, ask him about his day, and most importantly, tell him when I'm coming home. Of course it also helps that I've heard from a million people (doctors included) that children really have no concept of time at this age. And if that weren't enough, he also has an amazing daddy who keeps him happy and healthy while I'm gone. So, while I am painfully aware of every day that passes without him, I know that he is really none the wiser.

Of course, the best part about leaving (as thought there really are any) is coming home. This, too, has gotten better with time. Now, I'm greeted at the door with excitement and quickly whisked into the house only to be regaled with all of the new and amazing things that have happened in my absence. Sure, the stories are sometimes a bit tough to follow, but you just can't beat the unfiltered, sometimes brutally honest, storytelling of a toddler.

Now, don't get me wrong...there's also the flip side. Take this past week's homecoming for instance. When I arrived our little man was next door playing with his buddy so I came in to drop my stuff before heading out to say hello. While inside, I heard our nanny tell Ryan there was a "surprise" waiting for him inside. Well, you can imagine the excitement as Ryan was surely expecting a new "car" or something equally as thrilling. So, in he came with a curious look on his face. After glancing around the room a few times without so much as a nod in my direction he turned to me with a deadpan look and said, "where's my surprise?" I could only laugh at his little crestfallen face as he tried to register my explanation that I was, in fact, the surprise.

Sure, I could have taken offense, but who can blame him? Mommy's no comparison to a new toy!