I spent a solid month visiting or being visited by family, and I didn't cry or yell or want to kill anyone.

First we (me, husband, princess_crow, and husband's sister) spent a week with my father-in-law and his wife. There was no real drama, because they're awesome. Everyone was super into helping with our kid, especially my SIL even though she's around all the time. She was actually a saint, taking the room next to princess_crow's so we could have the only room on a different floor and actually have sex, waking up with princess_crown and giving her breakfast so we could sleep in, and just generally being the loveliest person alive. She also insisted that when all of our travels were over she would babysit for us weekly so that my husband and I could have a regular date night! And we got a date night while we were there! It was great!

When we got home, we had two days before my dad and stepsister came for a long weekend. The last time they were here was a year ago, and it was a nightmare - this time was totally chill and awesome! Instead of my dad being with his friends 90% of the time and demanding that I prepare all their meals (like that was the only time they came around), this time they spent time with us and even took us all out to dinner one night. It was great!

A couple of days after they left, my mom and stepdad came up. The last time they were here (Christmas), they stormed off during the night 24 hours into a 4-day trip because I asked my stepdad to NOT get hammered again and shout about his dick like he did on night 1. So I was nervous about this visit, but it was okay. My mom helped me get everything ready for princess_crow's second birthday party - which was really great! It was My Little Pony themed, and everyone who said they'd be there was actually there. I'm always anxious that NO ONE will show up when I plan an event, so I was super relieved. Also I made cupcakes in ice cream cones and the frosting looked like ice cream, which I was really proud of and will probably post a picture in the comments.

When my mom and stepdad left, princess_crow and I rode down (10 hours) with them to spend a week at their house. I was really stressed about traveling without my husband, but it was a dream. My mom spent tons of time with the kiddo, so I got a break from being Mom since she had grandma there. I got to go out with my BEST FRIEND two different nights to drink, smoke, watch stupid TV, etc. We've been friends for seven years and haven't gotten a girls' night in like at least three because of pregnancy, baby, traveling with my husband and not wanting to ditch him, etc. My stepdad hung out with princess_crow one evening so my mom and I could eat sushi and go shopping. It was amazing! And then I flew back with a two-year-old, with no backup, and she was a perfect angel. Like she didn't cry or fuss or get into anything, even when we had to sit in the airport for 3 hours due to flight delays!

And now I'm home, and life can go back to normal! Which is kind of a relief because I am spent - but also kind of a bummer, because it was so nice having so much help and seeing how happy princess_crow was to spend time with everyone. Her only grandparents in town are the Pirate Queen and her shitty husband, so in real life there's no one around other than us and my SIL (who, again, is a saint). Tomorrow is our first date night with SIL babysitting, and I'm actually nervous because my husband and I haven't dated in so long I don't even know what we'll do. Ideas?