And now, there are seven.

I've noticed them, a lot lately, especially since becoming a mom. It's a little intimidating, seeing them each evening standing outside in the cul de sac against the pale, purple sky as the sun sets with wine glasses or coffee mugs in hand... I usually give a little wave when passing them in the car.

There's six of them all together and I always kind of attributed them to being gang-like. What were they doing exactly, talking, gossiping about the other neighbors as they would confidently grin and smile back at me driving past?

Scooter came home a few nights ago and I needed to get out of the house as we attempted the "Sleep Easy Solution" (notice how there's a cute baby sleeping peacefully on the front of this book, that's SO not what happened for us the few nights we tried this method) which is not easy whatsoever by the way.

I decided to go to Fred Meyer to buy more concealer (you know, for the dark circles under my eyes) and more formula. I've been wanting to research other formula brands so I was perusing through the baby aisle, again, feeling inadequate as a mother for not breastfeeding longer than a month (due to my medication) and just picked up the same brand again, wanting to reserve any brain cells I had left for a romantic novel I'm supposed to read - doctor's orders (my psychiatrist's anyway)! Although, surely it doesn't take many brain cells to read this book.

I checked out and headed home. It was 9pm.

As I drove to our house I passed the estrogen-driven gang in the cul de sac. Chit chatting and talking about various topics that I can't even remember right now. One had a wine glass already in hand.

I got out of the car and walked over to check the mail.

"Hi, how's the baby?"

"Oh, he's good, thanks. Honestly, I'm a bit sleep-deprived."

"Oh, I went through the same thing with Child A...."

And there began a 20 minute conversation on motherhood and simple advice of child-rearing - from their experiences.

Today we went over to neighbor H's house to enjoy playtime and a glass of wine (for me!). It was so nice to not feel so isolated anymore.

I believe I've just joined the gang and the initiation already took place almost six months - giving birth.

P.S. In the middle of writing this post I noticed that they were gathering again this evening, this time with the husbands and kids playing in the cul de sac. Neighbor C brought out a small table with appetizers and wine for everyone while spanish music played in the background (they are from Central America). So, I was coerced into having a glass of wine and everyone asking if Austin was able to fall asleep tonight. Ah, so much more relaxed now.