No France

So I did plan on going to Nice with Patrick but changed my mind after coming back from Japan. Adjusting to time for the kids was so difficult that I didn't want to go through with it all over again so soon after. So we opted to stay home and I think I made the right decision.

I talked to Patrick a few times while he was in Nice. The first thing he said to me: "They don't pick up dog poop here. It's everywhere and it's nasty." He was busy from early morning at the conference til very very late at night hanging out with his buddies. And he planned to take 3 days afterwards to relax and travel around the area. But towards the end of the conference, Pat was so tired and decided to skip the 3 days and come home. I was really happy that he decided to come home to us sooner because we were all missing him. He told me that he wanted to come home mostly because by himself, he just didn't think he'd find the sites all that interesting. He said that without any diapers to change, a little hand to hold, or a kid to yell at, he didn't see the point. A few years ago Pat would have happily taken off on his own. It's a little sad that he seems to have lost this but it also showed me that he has become "totally dad".

For women, we become moms the instant we pop out our first baby and hold the little thing in our arms. There is no going back after that and we become all consumed with our responsibility for the new life. For men, it's a different story; it takes time. Even though they try, mr. selfishness gets in the way more than just once in awhile. But now, there's evidence that Pat is there. He may still have his "me" moments, but in essence, he's really "dad" now. You may disagree with my view of men (especially if you are one), but ask any married woman and she will agree with me completely!

So there was no France for me, and France was cut short for Pat.