Baby Watch 2012 ~ Day 14 ~ Day 16 ~~~ First Ladies, Pedicures and Laundry

I could get used to not having to do much.  Living in a hotel does have its perks.  I like being able to go to the lobby and get coffee any time of the day or night.  It’s always decaf and they have those wonderful little flavored creamers.  What’s not to like?

Well, the other day my dear hubby and I ventured into the Capital.  We spent several hours investigating one tiny wing of one Smithsonian.  We spent most of that time looking at engines and light bulbs and transportation in the United States.  Hubby loved it.  I was itching to get to the third floor and look at the First Ladies’ gowns.  We spent about a half hour there.  It made me feel good about myself.  As the gowns were on mannequins and most looked larger than my size, I felt, well, good.  The shoes were all larger too, and that again, made me feel good.

I walked away from the exhibition loving Pat Nixon’s gown and Abigail Adam’s china.  What a mix, huh?

The following day I took my baby for a pedicure.  It was interesting, as the person doing her nails did not speak to her.  She told her that it takes a couple of minutes for the chair to turn off, but that was the total of conversation.  The woman doing my pedicure made up for it.  She talked with me and with my daughter and kept us amused.  All in all, it was a delightful time, with both of us walking away with some form of red on our toes.

Later that evening the family got together, most of us, that is.  The four grandparents and the expectant parents.  We munched, we talked, we laughed and enjoyed these moments of waiting.  Our dear little grandson seems content where he is.  He rolled and moved while conversation went on around him.  He is completely unaware of how anxious we are to meet him.

Today is my dash of reality.  Laundry.  Even in the midst of hotels and babies and museums there lurks the real life drama of running out of clothes.  Our days are numbered by the amount of underwear packed.  So, off to the little laundry here at the hotel.  I am hoping we are the only ones to run out as there is only one washer and one dryer and I really want to be able to just stay put until I have something presentable to put on.

The one thing that has occurred to me during this time is the patterns of life.  The people in hotels all have a purpose for being here.  As I go to breakfast in the morning I see people in business suits with their game face on.  You can look at them and know they have a mind racing with schedules, plans, and ideas.  They walk purposefully and directly.  There are people lazily eating their breakfast and going over pamphlets of tours and metro schedules.  They are loaded with cameras and tour books.  Then there are those families with sleepy-eyed children who just want juice and some cereal and some semblance of normal.  You look at them and know they are in for a very long day.

These people become a part of you as you visit this hotel.  You notice them every day.  But, when they leave and we leave we will never think of them again.  This may be the days where they have saved for years for this little respite.  We see the outside never knowing how much these few days mean to them.    And, likewise, they have no idea we are waiting for the most precious delivery of all.  Museums and monuments pale in comparison for what we are waiting for.  I love looking at the difference.

So, as I leave this little room in search of quarters I will continue to people watch and dream of the hour when our little man makes his grand entrance.  I am certain everyone will see the difference in us as we look like grandpa and grandma for the first time.

Thanks for stopping by, I so appreciate it.  DAF

Advertisement