I just spent almost two hours with Karen (Luke’s mum), Em and Josephine over at Mark and Em’s place. Karen had been wanting to meet Baby J and I don’t need an excuse to spend time with her or her folks, so I arranged a lunchtime meetup for today. I’ve had the past three days off, Karen is semi-retired and Em works Tuesdays now so it all worked out nicely.

I’ve spent the last few days cleaning up around the house, doing some computer-related house-work, playing with the puppies, reading, shopping and even laying down a few laps in Forza 3. With Magdalena away on school camp for a few days, it gave me a unique opportunity to get some of the things done that I’ve been putting off for a while, without impacting on her. It also meant I could spend some time doing the chores that I’ve neglected for the past few weeks due to the hectic work commitments, and two lil’ black time sinks. Plus I snuck some time to myself, to play some Xbox and read some magazines and start my next book – Peter Pan and Wendy.

I’m glad I got to cap off my three-day-break with the visit to Josie – it was really relaxing and comforting. Emma and Mark are always down for a relax, and having Baby J in their lives now hasn’t changed that.

Tomorrow night Josie’s spending some time with Mags and I whilst Mark and Em go out. I am really looking forward to the responsibility, even though I know Josie’s going to lie there asleep the whole time, and I think it speaks volumes to the open parenting style Mark and Em have.

I really respect and admire them as parents, and I feel very fortunate to have them as role models.