B&B

As Jack approaches his first birthday, I am becoming blatantly aware of how much I have changed over the past year. Jack’s physical, mental and emotional growth seem exponential at this stage; I feel I have grown exponentially, as well. Along with personal growth and development comes the inevitable growing pains. I can honestly say that I would not have made it through this first year without the support of my B&B friends.

B&B started as an invitation for an hour or two of coffee, muffins and a little mommy conversation. Kate, Lori and I were all new stay at home mothers to our newborns - Jake, Pearl and Jack, respectively. A month separating each of their births, the three of us were pretty much in the same boat: sore boobs, sleepless nights, foggy days. B&B initially stood for “breakfast and bitching”: it was a gentle reminder that whatever tears we may have shed that week/morning/hour, someone else felt our pain. Nothing was so tragic that a pastry, some caffeine and laughter couldn’t wash away. A weekly establishment, B&B began to take priority over other events in our lives: appointments, other play dates, errands. When speaking to other people about B&B, the three of us actually referred to our gatherings as “meetings”. But that is exactly what they were. Just as a lawyers, doctors, and businesspersons share thoughts among others within their trade, the three of us were discussing issues, telling stories, problem solving and giving each other answers and encouragement.

The acronym B&B has taken on many definitions: breakfast, bitching, boobs, beer, butts, beauty, and always most importantly, babies. While Kate, Lori and I are friends outside of the topic of children, it is these sweet little beings that are the roots of our friendship. As the babies grow, so do we. I feel so fortunate that B&B is in my life to alleviate the inescapable growing pains. We decided that all women, upon discharge from the hospital following childbirth, should be automatically assigned to a local B&B group. That is how important it has become.

Now that the children are turning a year old, our weekly meetings have become a little more difficult to stick to; naps, meals and other obligations have climbed the priority ladder. However, we do our best to still meet several times a month because there is always cause for a “meeting” with your girlfriends, especially when coffee is involved.