My phone buzzes with a text from Josh. When I open it, I'm greeted by a photo of a grinning Lulu hugging a light pink bear. Yeah, that's something new. The accompanying message from Josh is: "okay if we come home? Thai for dinner?"
I shoot back a text- "sure, that sounds great." If he's at the mall, which based on the bear, I suspect, that means I've probably got at least 30 minutes. Just enough time to proofread this one more time. Plus if I leave him on his own much longer who knows what else he'll end up buying her. If it ends up being just the bear, I'll count myself lucky. I knew he'd eventually end up at that Build-A-Bear store. It was bound to happen sometime.
. . . .
In conclusion, as demonstrated by President Bartlet's speech to the United Nations on February 23, 2005, the media reaction to the State of the Union appears to have contributed to a subtle shift in Foreign Policy during the Bartlet Administration. Following intense media scrutiny, the subsequent speech did not contain language addressing Taiwanese protests. President Bartlet later attended a summit in China and obtained concessions regarding talks regarding nuclear deregulation in North Korea. Thus, it can be surmised that the media focus contributed to a change in Foreign Policy with demonstrable effect.
Done! And this paper is pretty darn good, it I do says so myself.
And I finished just in time. I can hear Josh and Lulu opening the front door.
"Mama!"
I click print and stand up to stretch. "Hey guys! You're home."
"We're home." Lulu echos, reaching for me. I quickly take her from Josh, wrapping her in a tight hug.
"I missed you, baby. I love you."
"How about me?" Josh asks eagerly.
"Meh." I offer, shrugging off-handedly.
"You wound me, Donna. How is my fragile ego ever to survive your brutal bluntness?"
"Oh, I'm sorry." I sass back. "I guess I'll have to find a way to redeem myself tonight." I give him a slow wink. "Maybe after Lulu goes to bed."
"Ah-kay." He grins. It's then that I notice that he's got several bags in his right hand.
"Whatcha got there?"
"The food?" He queries back holding up a brown paper bag. As if that's going to distract me from the other bags in his hand. One is adorned with large colorful polka dots and the word Gymboree. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Josh bought our daughter more than just a bear today.
I just raise an eyebrow and wait him out. It's always fun to see if he goes for unrepentant or sheepish when he gets caught spoiling her.
"I bought Lulu a couple of new outfits. She's growing very fast. She needs clothes."
Ah, unrepentant, but trying for nonchalant. Okay then.
"Needs?" I continue to give him the look to watch him squirm.
"Why should the grandparents get all the fun?" He offers as an excuse, still managing to maintain an air of indifference. This is a new tactic for him. I decide to give him a little more rope to see if he'll hang himself. It's fun to tease him.
"I suppose not. What's in the other bag?"
"Books."
"She has a ton of books."
"These are in spanish." This time he does respond a little sheepishly. I love the soft, contrite side of him just as much as the bold and brazen.
"Alright. I guess she does need clothes, and I can't really argue with books since they're educational. Anything else you need to confess?"
I mean, Lulu is hugging the evidence right now, so he knows he's not going to get away with anything.
Josh shrugs. He sets the shopping bags on the end of the table, and then heads toward the kitchen with the food. Lulu and I follow along behind him.
"Lulu and I had a wonderful day. We went to the drop-in class and exercised, and played music and picked up a egg shaker, and we went to Build-A-Bear in the mall. It was a very good experience." He stresses the word experience to try to earn brownie points.
And while he's talking, he opens the cupboards and gets out the plates, and some silverware, and glasses. Setting the table is a good way to earn brownie points too, and he knows it.
When he finishes, I can't help but giggle a little. If only the Republican Congress could see him now. Josh Lyman has turned into a total marshmallow. I always knew he had it in him.
At my giggling, his dimples pop out and he relaxes as he serves up dinner. He knows he's off the hook and that I'm not really upset.
"Thank you for taking her on such a fun date. It was really helpful to have the time to myself. I finished my paper for my Media class."
"Want me to proof read it for you?" He offers eagerly. He's pretty invested in my education. It's sort of sweet.
But I don't know. We talked about most of my classes last semester. He's been really good at giving another perspective, and simplifying the material. He really is a good teacher. But this is the first paper I've written that directly utilizes my White House experience. And it's about a time that wasn't that great for Josh. I don't know if I want him to see it.
"Donna?" He questions when the silence stretches on.
"Not tonight. I want to be done with school for the evening."
"Ah-kay."
He let's it go and we sit down for a family dinner.
. . . .
"Bathtime, Miss Lulu!" I announce getting up off the floor. "Time to put your toys away."
Lulu picks up the shape sort and puts it on the shelf. I'm so happy she listens. She's getting really good at instructions. I hope this carries over for when she's older.
Josh puts her new pink bear on top of the bookcase. There's not a lot of room left in here for much else. Even though I'm not really upset, it occurs to me that I do need to curb his shopping or start donating some of her things. I should go through her clothing and box up what we aren't using. And a few of these stuffed animals could go too. But probably not the giant bear. They wrestle with it almost every night.
While they finish picking up, I get a new diaper, a pair of pajamas and a hooded towel out of her closet. Then I head into the bathroom to start running the water.
I start to count slowly in my head. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, . . . sure enough before I get to one, Lulu comes toddling into the room, naked, laughing, with Josh pretending to try to catch her.
He scoops her up and plops her into her bath seat. She squeals and kicks her feet. She does love the water.
But by the time she's completely washed, she's calm and relaxed. I fight back a smirk as I notice Josh subconsciously match Lulu's giant yawn. The sleepy time bath bubbles really do work on Lymans of all sizes.
I give it a few more minutes then I pull Lulu out of the tub and wrap her up in a towel. As I start to leave the bathroom, Josh pulls the plug on the drain.
"You've got this?"
"Yeah, I'll clean up in here. It's your turn for storytime. I'll come in for a kiss when I'm done."
It only takes a few minutes to get Lulu into her pajamas and to snuggle into the big yellow chair together.
Once Josh has come in for his good night kiss from Lulu, I pull "Anne of Green Gables" off the table and start reading. We read lots of children's interactive books during the day. Nighttime stories have become more about snuggling then the actual content. But we figure it's never too early to start on the classics.
Lulu's eyes are barely open when I lay her down in the crib.
"Goodnight, Leonora. I love you more than you'll ever know. Sweet dreams."
I close the door gently behind me and walk back into the living room to find Josh. He's standing by the desk reading something. He looks up and smiles at me the way he does when I've done something he's especially proud of.
"Hey, this is really good."
That's when I realize I left my paper on the printer.
"Oh. Um. I wasn't really sure I was going to let you read that."
He looks a bit crestfallen for a moment. "Really? Why not?"
"I don't know. Sometimes I just want to do this myself, without a bunch of input. So I know that I earned this." My tone is a little sharper than I intended.
He immediately sets the paper down on the desk. Darn it. I didn't mean to hurt his feelings.
"Donna, I'm sorry. I should have asked before I read your paper. But you are totally earning this. That paper is really good."
He's really earnest. And his words make me feel really good. But I still don't really want to talk about school work tonight. And I know just how to distract him.
"You're not just saying that to get in my pants?" I offer with a little bat of my eyelashes. Josh responds with a lecherous grin.
"Lulu's asleep?" He asks unnecessarily.
"Yep," I respond, "let 'Lymans after dark' begin!"
"Excellent. I have big plans for 'Lymans after dark.'"
"And exactly what is on the agenda for 'Lymans after-dark' tonight?"
"Well, ice cream, for one."
"I like this so far."
"And I think wine, also. White wine, of course."
"Wine AND ice cream? Keep talking."
"And then a movie in bed. Something we've already seen because I plan to distract you."
"Oh yeah? And exactly how do you plan to do that?"
He looks at me with smoldering eyes.
"Well, I thought I'd start by slowly rubbing my hand up and down your thigh. Then I'd lean close and nibble on your ear. Then I'd kiss my way down your neck . . . "
. . . . .
On Sunday morning, I wake up after 8. It's not as late as we used to sleep in on Sundays, but it is two hours later than weekday mornings. And really, come to think of it, when we were first married we didn't sleep in that late on Sundays . . . we just didn't get out of bed as quickly.
This is what getting old is all about I guess. No more Naked Sundays. Unless I can convince Josh to let Lulu sleepover with Zoey and Charlie. They've been asking. I think they want a trial run on the kid thing. At least we have 'Lymans after dark." I'd say we're not doing too bad, even if we are getting old.
As I finish in the bathroom, I hear Josh and Lulu in the kitchen chatting. And something smells good. I have to say domestic Josh is really working out nicely for me.
Walking into the kitchen, I'm greeted my cheering section.
"Mama! Hi Mama!" Lulu bounces a little in her seat and sticks another strawberry in her mouth.
"Good morning." Josh turns from the stove and gives me big smile.
"Good morning you two."
The two of them continue to grin at me. At moments like this, I feel complete. I don't know what I did to deserve this kind of love, but whatever it was I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
I plant a kiss on Lulu's sticky cheek, then grab Josh from behind.
"Careful, it's hot over here." He warns.
"Sure is." I respond giving him a squeeze and nipping at his earlobe.
He turns his head towards me, so I plant a kiss on his lips. Lulu laughs at the loud smacking noise we make.
"You're frisky this morning." Josh chuckles. "Maybe I should let this bacon burn and carry you back to bed."
"Two problems with that plan. Your back and the baby."
"Yeah. You're right. Bummer. Guess I'll just have to keep cooking instead."
"I like the sound of that. My man, bringing home the bacon and frying it up in a pan."
"It's turkey bacon."
"Even better." Finally, I let Josh go so he can finish. Besides I'm ready for a cup of coffee. While I'm filling my cup, I watch as Josh turns the french toast, then the bacon. I really couldn't be any more content with my life than I am right now.
After a few minutes Josh serves me a plate with french toast, bacon, and a side of fruit, then joins me with a plate of his own.
"So, Lyman Family Sunday. What should we do today?" He asks as he slides some bites of toast and bacon onto Lulu's tray. While I take a big bite of my food. He really has become quite the cook.
"This is fabulous. With all these calories, I should get out and do some walking today. Do you want to go to one of the museums?"
"Maybe the Museum of American History? They've added that kids area. So we can walk for a while, then give Lulu a chance to stretch her legs. Let's go this morning, then we can be home by nap time."
He wiggles his eyebrows at me and I have to grin at him. I like how he thinks. Of course, I like to tease him even more.
"Oh, you feel like you're gonna need a nap today, old guy?"
"Yes, and I think sassy young ladies should nap too."
"Good plan."
