A Mini Van and Winco: Welcome to 2014

When did I get so old? I sat there thinking that on Dec. 31, 2013 at 8:30 pm as I rocked my 2 year  again after being jolted from her sleep by our neighbors firework celebration. “WHO does that at this time of night?!” I vented to John. He looked at me and replied, “Well, it is New Years Eve at 8:30….”  

Yeah, Yeah, I know…..but the NERVE of someone to wake up a sleeping child?!!  I had the same reaction on the Fourth of July. It’s moments like these that make me feel O-L-D.  The thought of making plans for New Years, or going out, or having people over seriously seemed like too much effort for me this year. For one, we’d have to pay a fortune to have a babysitter over to head out to an overcrowded, overpriced, and understaffed bar or restaurant. And me being 30 weeks pregnant with triplets (and measuring 41 weeks pregnant) would have to deal with stares, questions and no martinis or champagne at midnight. 

So, what did my sweet husband, daughter and my big self do?! Well, we took our new  mini van for a spin and did some grocery shopping at Winco. We even listened to Elmo music in the car. And I realized that there were a lot of people (albiet mostly couples with young kids) doing the same exact thing we were. And John and I were really ok with it. I even asked John on the way home if he felt disappointed that we weren’t doing anything this year for New Years. He just looked at me from his mini van throne and honestly replied, “Nope. Not at all.” 

Old. 

I’ll pause the story here for just a second (I know you are all at the edge of your seat with anticipation)  and talk about our most recent purchase. Two days ago we did indeed find the perfect vehicle in which to haul four carseats around in: a 2011 Sienna mini van. It’s actually not too "mini vanish" and has some neat features (like a backup camera, bluetooth, power doors…) but it is a mini van, and so we officially crossed the line into that true stereotypical suburban family we'd said we'd never be.. (Psssst….But I want to tell you, after driving it around for a day, I actually really like it!)  

Anyhow, so after we did our rounds in Winco and stocked up on our Cheerios and TP, we came home, and got our little Evie ready for bed. I went into the kitchen to unpack some groceries and when I came back into the living room, I found her cuddled up with John, reading books. I knew in John’s mind it was the perfect New Years Eve. I sat down next to them and read some “Spot” books until the clock struck 8:00 and we put her to bed. 

Then, John made some excellent bowls of Japanese noodle miso soup. It actually looked like we got it from a real restaurant. We sat at the table in the silence, with our steaming soup, and looked at each other. Good thing we like each other. :) 

“What do you want to to after the soup?”

“I don’t know…there is a Modern Family marathon on?”

“Perfect.”

This is our life right now, and it’s amazing how much changes in such a short period of time. 

But I wouldn’t want it any other way right now either. 

When midnight came (yes, we did manage to stay up to usher in 2014) we gave each other a New Years kiss and watched the ball drop in New York. 

“Happy New Year, Sweetie,” John said to me. “It’s going to be a crazy year.”

“Sure is.” 

We looked at each other for a moment and then at the TV again of the floating ticker tape and celebrating people another world away. 

“Well, I should get to bed. Evie will be up early.” I leaned over and gave John one more kiss. 

“Good Night. Happy 2014…Let the fun times continue!"