This blog was written by my co-editor Cheryl Clemens:

I spent the better part of our company holiday lunch the other day holding one of my co-worker’s 1-year-old daughter Katie. She sat on my lap, babbled sweetly, chewed on breadsticks and basically just charmed everyone at the table. I hated to give her back to her mother.

Boy do I miss those days. Although with my kids, I recall them digging their fingers into my food and making messes, crying, kicking, knocking things over. I remember struggling at parties to just take a few bites of my meal and being so grateful when anyone would take my little one, if only for a few minutes.

I remember getting babysitters and running, yes running, giddily from the house. A few hours on my own or with my husband were so precious, I didn’t want to waste a second.

Now, with two teenagers, there’s always someone at home to watch the youngest (although sometimes I think it’s really the little one keeping an eye on her older brother and sister!).

It’s so much easier to get out of the house now, but I don’t treasure the time like I used to. Maybe that’s a mistake. Once upon a time even a trip alone to the grocery store was a gift. Now I stop on the way home from work and never give it a second thought.

I think I’m going to add that to my list of things to think about in the new year.