After you have kids, a lot of things change. The biggest thing to get used to in the beginning - for me anyway - was remembering to pack all of the baby items I would need while we were out of the house. Bottles, formula, diapers, wipes, change of clothes, pacifiers, blankets, first aid kit, thermometer, teethers, rattles, Tylenol, etc. (This was in the beginning when I carried my diaper bag everywhere, and I really did keep every one of those items with me at all times). Eventually though, I was able to relax a little, and realized I didn't need to bring all of those things along for a 10 minute trip to the grocery store. Today, my diaper bag is somewhere in the laundry room, I have switched back to using my purse, and I just keep a couple extra diapers and wipes in the car. I have definitely relaxed, but things are also a little less stressful when you have toddlers versus a new baby.
Other things change too, when you have kids. Obviously there are limitations on what you can do once a baby comes along. While it is possible to take a baby to a restaurant, it's not as relaxing or enjoyable an experience as it once was. When Richard and I get the courage to take the kids out to a restaurant, we usually end up asking for the check as soon as our food comes, then eating it as fast as we can, trying to finish our meals before the boys lose their patience. Oftentimes we have to get boxes to bring our food home to finish later on. We accept this though, and it's not that big of a deal.
One big change though, that really cannot be compromised with, is movies. Once you have a baby, it's pretty much impossible to go to the movies anymore, unless you have a sitter. I guess you could take a newborn or small baby, but if he or she cries, you know your fellow moviegoers are not going to be patient with that, and if you have to wind up walking out of the movie, then that's $10.00 you just threw away. And once a child is old enough to take to the movies, you know you're not going to be watching any of the movies you actually enjoy - no romantic comedies, no action flisks, none of that. The only movies you will be seeing in theaters are kid-friendly ones, mostly cartoons. Thankfully most Disney and Pixar movies do a decent job of entertaining their adult audiences, but come on, it still doesn't make up for all the other movies you're missing out on. For this reason, it is always a big treat whenever Richard and I get to see a movie. It can be difficult, because sometimes we want to see different movies from one another, so those discussions usually come down to an intense match of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
It has been about three months since we last went to see a movie together, and with all of the awesome summer movies coming out right now, I have been feeling that itch - that need to go to the movie theater. I love walking in, breathing in that scent of buttery, warm, trans-fatty popcorn, then purchasing my ticket, buying an outrageously overpriced soda or some type of treat to enjoy, then heading into the theater. Picking a seat is very important. You don't want to be too close, but you also don't want to be too far back. I love those rare times when you are the only person in the theater. My favorite moment though, is when the lights go dim, and the screen lights up, and the movie is about to start. Even in this age of so many technological advancements, the movie theater is still a magical place to me.
Oh, and I hate when we're running late to a movie, and someone says, "It's okay, we'll only miss the previews." Uhmm, hello?? The previews are, like, the best part!
Anyways, like I said, I have really been feeling the need to go see a movie. If all works out, then I think I may be going to see one tonight. The only problem I am having now is which movie to see? Since I only go every few months, there is a lot of pressure on the movie I pick for it to be worth it. Feel free to send me your suggestions!
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