You've Gotta Have Friends

We are boring people. For reals.

We really don't have much of a 'life' by most people's standards...heck, even by my own standards, sometimes. ;) Mike works. I take care of Preslie and the house and whatever else comes up. We sleep, but not together, because Mike works at night and sleeps during the day. I try to keep Preslie busy and stay out of the house on days that she's extra hyper...or cranky...or plain ol' toddler-y....in order for him to get that sleep since he's our primary money-maker. Of course, that means that I do a lot of my 'work' (laundry, prepping for meals, shopping, etc.) at night and during nap times. It's kind of a vicious cycle, one that I'm sure most folks get into at some time or another.

Once upon a time, we had a friend or two. You know, couple friends? Even though we were the only ones without kids, when we went out as adults to dinner or a movie or whatever, it didn't seem to matter too much and a good time was had by all. Our couple friends have fallen by the wayside, though, in the year and a half since Preslie came along. One couple moved. Then another couple moved, too. Our best couple friends (my cousin and his life long best friend) got divorced and we're finding ourselves torn between the two new households. Add in having a high need baby to our plate, and there's been no time to do much of anything other than the previously mentioned work and sleep and kid care. There's certainly been no time or opportunity to make or cultivate friendships of any kind.

People, we need some friends.

Don't get me wrong...I have some sweet mama friends that P and I see occasionally for play dates (and gossip .;p). We see our families, even extended families, frequently and enjoy doing things with them sometimes. Mike has a few guys from work that he talks to now and then. But when it comes down to having a couple, with kids or without, that we can hang out with and do stuff with and just shoot the breeze with, we just don't have 'em.

I don't like that sometimes.

It makes me feel old before my time...like I'm boring and dull and have no social skills or something. ;) And I know, rationally, that there's not time to do much friendship farming. Child rearing and family life is most important but I think, sometimes, that we NEED some real-life friends. Maybe I just need an attitude adjustment. Who knows?

I sound pathetic, huh? (maybe because I'm writing this post while sitting at home on a Saturday night!)

Soooo, have your friendships changed since your little one(s) came alone? Or since you're the ones without a kid (we've been there, too)? How do you cope??