Valentine's 2011

At the shops yesterday, literally every one in five men was clutching a bouquet of flowers, mostly roses and lilies. Of course, Valentine's Day has rolled around again.

There are no laws or social norms saying that once you become parents, you don't celebrate V-Day, but somehow, this year, we are just not as into the whole atmosphere or the must-do candle-lit dinner and V-Day presents anymore.  I think having a child has changed that, or to be precise, being first-time newbie parents, cos we did still celebrate it even after getting married. 

Being a parent is just kind of sapping and a V-Day celebration seems almost a bit of an unnecessary add-on thing to do.  In fact, it seems an almost surreal disconnect to me, as if this world of flower-and-chocolate-clutching men with V-Day written all over their faces is something imaginary and no longer fits in my world. Don't get me wrong, I do love the whole idea of V-Day and presents and flowers and chocolates.But just for this moment, perhaps, this year, I feel too tired to care...


But we didn't totally forget it. I did a nice homecooked dinner on Friday and I did another big one again today, the actual V-day.  And interestingly enough, the only fancy dinner I had was with my girlfrens on a girls' night out.


In fact, our first girls' night out, since we all turned first-time mums late last year. Daddy Low was very glad for me that I was going out. He told me not to call home to check on Baby unless I am coming home past midnight (So funny, cos there was no way we will be staying past midnight - I still have to have my rest and sleep if I were to handle the night feeds!)  It was nice and a rather alien feeling, as I dressed and got ready - it felt like the longest time, since I have given thought to dressing up and putting make-up and going out without a baby-bag.


Even though the dinner topics still revolved around our little ones, it was still a great night out. Everyone looked different - a bit more make-up and perhaps just that air of lightness without the responsibility of having to attending to the baby in tow.  When I came back, the house was in darkness and both boys asleep. 


To me, this baby-free weekend was Daddy Low's V-Day present to me. For not only did I have my girls' night out on Sunday, we made a deal that Saturdays will be my "day off". I had imagined that simply means he will attend to Julien in the day, but was pleasantly surprised when I also got the night off, as he settled Julien's night feeds as well. I had not had a smooth, uninterrupted sleep for a long time now! Yay! I shall always look forward to Saturdays now :)