The Babymoon!

Listen up first time fathers to be.....apparently there is this new thing called a "babymoon". Its like a honeymoon but different. I'm sure it can be found in at least one of the many glamour magazines your wife has laying around the house. The idea is that you take one last trip before your wife is too pregnant to travel. It's suppose to be the last trip you ever take when it is just the two of you. The idea is sound but the reality is you are both probably exhausted, you can't sit for too long, you can't walk for long, she is usually self conscious of her size so no beach trips....it really doesn't workout how you envision it but she wants it so your going to give it to her!

Lunch and Dinner at IKEA! msw

Anne had mentioned this babymoon a couple of times at the beginning of her third trimester, but we had both been feeling so bad, the thought of traveling wasn't that appealing. Finally we discussed going to Atlanta for the weekend, but just before we we went, we had a budgetary panic attack and bailed on the whole idea. Saturday afternoon, we began to have regrets but it was too late to leave on a trip that wasn't even planned.

As an insensitive man, I thought the issue was over. We missed the babymoon window and that was that. I couldn't have been more wrong. Once again I found us discussing "the babymoon". There was some crying, I used my man words such as "ridiculous" and "are you kidding me" (all big no no's in the man vs women heated debate arena) until finally it ended with no conclusion, and us both yelling, "Fine", "Fine".

The next morning was Saturday. Anne had taken one morning massage. I tried to act like I was still asleep when she left. She would only be gone for a couple of hours at most. I had to act fast. Little did she know that late the previous night after our argument I had decided that I was going to surprise her with everything she had hoped for in a babymoon. As soon as she left I was at the computer.

First priority: it had to be a surprise. Check. She had no idea.

Second priority: it would be an affordable but nice overnight trip. I pricelined a 4 star hotel in Atlanta for $80 that night. Check.

Third Priority: she wanted to see a show or something. I search through Ticket Master but didn't see anything of interest. I suddenly found myself thinking about the Cirque Du Soleil in Orlando. We had both always wanted to see Cirque but it is so expensive. After a search I found that miraculously Cirque had a new show that just opened in Atlanta in January! They were almost sold out but I managed to get two tickets! Done and Done!

Forth Priority: there should be candles, flowers and a card. Check.

Now Anne didn't lay these things out for me as it might seem. These were all things she had mentioned in passing when discussing the babymoon. When she had finished work, she called to see if I wanted to meet her for lunch. I told her she should come home first, then we could go out (something that neither of us like to do when we are already out and about.) When she did, she found a card on the dinning room table with the tickets and reservations. The card said, "The only person who is more ridiculous then you..." then on the inside it said "... is me. You have 20 minutes to pack!"

Life imitating art in ATL. msw

We had a great drive as we always do, and surprisingly my back felt fine. We checked into the hotel then drove ten minutes to our usual haunt in Atlanta, IKEA! We were of course looking for baby room stuff, had lunch when we got there, shopped,then had dinner there. It was funny and convenient. When Anne and I were dating and she would visit me in Northern VA, we often had breakfast at an IKEA. It's surprisingly good and cheap.

Looking up through the middle of the Marquis. msw

We stayed at the Marriott Marquis. It was amazing. We've found that if you wait to the night before or morning of , you can almost always priceline a 4 star in ATL for about $80.

A veiw from our room. msw

We ordered room service desserts. Had breakfast in the hotel restaurant that morning. It was an amazing hotel. My back was still feeling great! After we checked out at around noon, it was time to find the Cirque tent which was close to the IKEA.

When we arrived, you could see people wandering towards a bigtop tent. Walking through the parking lot I was overcome by a stabbing pain under my right shoulder blade. It dropped me to my knees. I couldn't catch my breath. It was different from any of the back pain I had been suffering for the last couple of months. Anne and I both thought that this might be the end of our hopes to see the show. Anne helped me back to the car where I had some pain medicine. I took the max dose and we decide to go to the show and hope for the best.

When we entered, I was surprised by how small the stage seemed. I expected it to be bigger. We quickly noticed that there was a kind of pre-show going on. Costumed characters were running through the audience chasing one another and stage workers in elaborate costumes performed slapstick while preparing the stage. Some characters were helping seat people..in the wrong seats or seats already occupied. It was very entertaining. By the time the "Ring Master" began to introduce the show, my pain killers had kicked in and I was feeling good.

As the show started, we began to realize what phenomenal seats we had. Right in the front about 10 rows back. We were also in a section-ending row, so no one was behind us kicking our seats or talking. We also had a seat open on either side of us in what appeared to be a sold out show. Could it be. Surly someone was going to show up late, spill a drink on us and smell of ham while pushing passed us to takeover our arm rests...but that never happened! God was truely at work here.

If you have never heard of Cirque du Soleil, it is a cross between a circus (with acrobats, contortionists, magicians, jugglers, and high wire act), a ballet, live world beat music concert, a play, a light show and some of the most bizarre and amazing scifi/fantasy costumes and imagery imaginable. This was by far one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in my life. You are constantly on the edge of your seat, wowed by what you are seeing. The show never disappoints. Just when you think you have seen everything, something else blows your mind. I recommend to anyone - Spend The Money To See A Cirque Du Soleil Show. It is one of the most magical spectacles you will experience in your life time.

So the show was good.

I am so glad to have taken Anne on a babymoon. I highly recommend that you soon to be fathers make and effort to spend this quality time with you wife no matter what the cost. And if you are looking for ideas....psst,"priceline and Cirque Du Soleil..."