We do this every time we are gearing up for going to an event somewhere other than where we are living.  We start to prepare for being over prepared – making sure we anticipate every possible scenario and that we know how we are going to handle that.  It can be exhausting.  That’s why I prefer to visit with people in our house (even though I am usually thoroughly embarrassed by how messy our house is.)  Here I am aware of potential pitfalls and I can actually 75% participate in an actual conversation with someone.  That’s not so true everywhere else.  Most people don’t have mysterious rooms blocked off with doorknob covers.  Most people are displaying their most prized books/magazines/collectibles instead of placing those on the highest of shelves (or closets).  Being out of the house, we have to be on constant watch.  We can’t let Christian out of our sight.  He has a very minimal sense of safety.  From what we can figure, a moving car is the same as a parked one, a lake is the same as a puddle (he can’t swim), a balcony is the same as a step, etc.  He doesn’t seem to totally get the idea that something maybe important to someone else and should be left alone (well, we struggle with that with Olivia right now, too).  He loves to line up cleaning products and knows how to get the covers off of them (and has developed a taste for soap).  So, when out we have to be aware at ALL times as to where he is and what he is doing.  We have to be able to spring into action at the snap of a finger.  I would love to sit down and have a meaningful conversation with someone, but am probably only 25% present because of needing to be very aware of what my child is doing.  I hate that.  I feel that the person I’m talking to can sense that.  I feel like I disappoint them.  (Sometimes I have a hard time holding a conversation because of a “lack of brain”.  In the last five years, I can probably count the number of times that I have actually had a WHOLE night’s sleep on just my hands (and maybe one foot).)  At the same time, I’m always disappointed leaving a situation like that because I feel like I didn’t get to actually talk to anyone.  That makes me feel lonely.  I know that my husband has expressed similar thoughts in the past.  It is always nice to see everyone, but when you come away from a visit with family and friends and feel like you spent the whole night in the corner with your own little family, it’s kind of a let down.  We want to visit and connect with someone else.  We really do!  So if we happen to be visiting with you over the holiday season and we are away from our home, PLEASE remember we are not trying to be rude if we can not give you our full attention or need to run off mid-sentence – that’s just the way it is right now – just know that we love you and under different circumstances we would love to sit and chat.