And she's alright.

Mom: Just go. There is no point in taking the baby and a toddler just for a quick pop-in. Head to the store and I'll watch the kiddies.

Bless her. I can't even describe how difficult a store "pop in" is with two children, a car seat, and a stroller that is so big it consumes my entire trunk space. Wait, yes I can. It sucks.

Me: Thank you, thank you, thank you! I will literally be no less than 20 minutes, k?

I dash for the car, unlock the door, sit down, put 'er in reverse, and whoa....no children in the back seat.

I'm alone.
I'm alone?

Yes!

These times are rare. So rare that I immediately crank up the stereo and fantasize about heading out to dinner, or dancing. Anywhere besides the mundane task of the drug store run
I am currently on.

These times are rare. So rare that when I approach a light, even though it's green, I slow down until it turns red so I can give myself a couple of extra minutes of alone time.

These times are rare. So rare that I begin to think of my car before children. I think of shopping without worrying about nap times, and feeding times, and times when I just want to make it in and out of a store without one child screaming and the subsequent sympathetic looks from other shoppers.

These times are rare. So rare that I really need there to be more of these times. Times when it's just me. Just me and some really loud music. And maybe a prepared meal.

These times are rare. So rare that my husband has picked up on this need of mine and usually takes the children on a nice long walk on Saturday mornings. I use the time to clean. What's wrong with me?

I guess what I struggle with is really being truthful about wanting time away from my little ones. I actually envy my husband's commute to work. I see it as an hour of reading without interruption. And I will say that I have taken extra steps with my second child to ensure that I can get out every now and then. A bottle, for one, has been given to her nearly every day since she was three weeks old.

Do I feel guilty thinking this? Yes, a little.
Am I selfish? Maybe, a bit.
Does that make me a bad mom? Absolutely not.

Alas, when I pull into the driveway and I walk into smiles and giggles and an enthusiastic "mommy!" I am happy to be home.