Mental Stimulation

I seem to have had a lot of really good conversations lately. The very best being with my great friend Stacy. We had a wonderful give and take over a book that it seems everyone has read, Twilight. Of course we occasionally veered into drooling over the werewolves in the next movie, but we had a lot of fun discussing character motives and sympathetic protagonists, sticky plot points and hidden agendas. It was a real, grown-up conversation that never touched on children, which is rare for two mothers. And I loved it.
I have been having so much fun lately discussing everything from books to the current economic situation in relation to Japan in the 90s to recycling viability in my community. Since having Killian almost two (TWO?!) years ago I rarely have a conversation that doesn't at least include him, if not center around him. I hate it sometimes and I try very hard to separate "Katy" from "Mom" but since we are the same person the lines are often blurred. How can I have a discussion about the sorry state of the public school system without relating it to what my son's experience will be? But slowly but surely I am gaining ground in the "Katy" version of me. Because I sure do miss being a real person with thoughts and ideas about something other than daycare and child rearing!
One of my biggest pet peeves is when I ask a woman/mother "How are you?" and the reply is "Oh, well Johnny has had diarrhea." Or some such nonsense. First, I didn't ask how Johnny's diaper looked this morning, I asked about YOU. Remember, my friend? The funny, witty person with opinions about the world and a great fashion sense. I fear that people will ask that about me when I am drowning in two kids.
I know that the first year or so of having a baby it is all child-centered and I hope I make peace with that this time around. But after that maybe I will find a way to concentrate on something more than one book a month read for my book club. I hope that there is light at the end of the infant tunnel where there is room in my brain for more than colic cures and breast-feeding positions!
Because I discovered so much during that Sunday afternoon conversation. About a favorite book, a favorite friend and even myself. And it was great not being so "mommed out" for an hour or so.