Mass with a Toddler

We had a pretty crazy weekend. I'm glad I have today and tomorrow off the paying job to recover!

Saturday, we went to a former coworker/friend of Tim's wedding. It was at a country club up north a ways. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was inside! Made me a little sad that I left my camera at home. The wedding itself was sort of eh. I didn't know anyone and I always feel kind of stupid in those situations. While I did enjoy talking to some of the people at the table, Tim's current coworker and wife who were seated with us basically froze us out for whatever reason which added to my discomfort level.

The meal was great as was the music. After dinner and dancing together to a few songs, we ended up leaving. Our son stayed the night at his grandparents. By the time we got back down south, it was past his bedtime and I didn't like the idea of waking him up to take him home, so we enjoyed the rest of the evening together watching some documentary on South Park and eating clearance Christmas candy.

Yesterday was a challenge! Tim worked a 12 1/2 hour shift which meant overtime in the mommy department for me. Honestly, I have to give major credit to stay-at-home moms. While part of me wouldn't mind working outside the home less, I don't think I could give it up completely. This past week off work with Tim working has further convinced me of this!

Tim got John around 11 am and left shortly after that. We went upstairs and watched some Thomas while I cleaned/relaxed. Then, we packed it up and went to the library to return some movies. We ended up playing with the puzzles, picking up a few new Thomas shows and watching the newts. John was pretty good about leaving, especially after last time when he threw an epic fit.

We then stopped briefly at my mom's where we had an early supper. Then, it was back home again for some more relaxing/cleaning/playing until we had to get ready for 6 PM Mass.

My key for going to Mass is to get there early, find a small pew so we don't disturb others and leave late (it's easier to have a toddler screaming about getting his coat on when it's over and not as many people are there). I had thought about going to 10 AM by myself and couldn't go to 11:30 since Tim had to leave for work. So, we ended up at our back up Mass at our back up parish. I sure wish that our parish did a Sunday evening Mass, but it really was a good experience for us.

John cried first when I changed his pants and then again when I shut everything off. I ended up calming him down with a glass of milk which he carried with him for the next half hour but which also brought serenity to our home. I packed his bag and him up in the car and took off. The parking lot was nearly empty and we managed to get a great spot. We came in and settled down.

John had decided that it was his job to greet each and every person walking pass our pew. Since we were in the back near the door, that was an awful lot of people. I was kind of amazed at how many people actually responded back to his enthusiastic Hi! He kept doing this and I was getting a bit embarrassed as he did this to everyone arriving late as well. It's always hard walking in late and I didn't want him to call attention to it.

He also decided it was his job to flirt with the elderly lady behind us for most of the duration of Mass. He certainly is a charmer. He managed to be fairly well behaved and I actually walked away remembering some of the messages in the Gospel and Homily. This is a rarity when attending Mass alone with John.

Towards the end, he became rather anxious when he realized that there were no kneelers. The horror! I managed to calm him down long enough to receive communion without his screams echoing through the church. He was sort of calm after that, but then did not want to go home. He pulled his hat off a few times before I chucked it into my own pocket and bundled him up in his coat. We got back into the car and I was surprised to find that it was only 6:48 when the Mass started at 6:00!

As well behaved as John was, I'm looking forward to going to Mass as a family next week. I always feel incomplete without my Tim besides me. Plus, he makes going to church with a two year old SO much easier!

Well, somehow, John fell asleep on the way home. I held him for awhile but when he wouldn't wake up, I put him down. He managed to sleep until pass 7 AM this morning! I took it upon myself to clean up majorly. Between cleaning and lugging laundry upstairs last night along with kneeling on a hard ground at church, I sure am sore this morning. Thank goodness for the New Year's holidays!