Teacher - This is a role that I am very familiar with, but the job description has changed now that I am a mommy. Currently, I am teaching body parts, animal sounds, and common words. Along with the typical subject matter (math, reading, science, etc.), I will also be responsible for teaching morals, manners, and other important life skills. My student is very eager to learn, which makes this teacher proud.
Doctor - I kiss boo boos, put ice on bumps and bruises, wipe a runny nose, determine if a trip to the pediatrician is necessary, and choose when and how to vaccinate my little man.
Dentist - 16 little teeth get brushed twice a day, even though it is a power struggle each and every time.
Tour Guide - Ladies and Gentlemen, if you look to your left, you will see a bird building a nest in a tree. The tree is tall and has green leaves. Birds say, "Tweet, tweet!" Do you hear that? It is a siren coming from a fire truck. The fire truck helps people. It is big and red. As you can see, I have become quite adept at narrating in any situation.
Nutritionist/Cook - I can tell you how many servings of each of the food groups Charlie has eaten on any given day, and I have a rough idea of how many calories he has consumed. I provide vitamins and Pediasure to fill the many gaps for my picky eater. Meals must vary, not be too hot, and need to be cut up into bite size pieces. I try not to get too insulted when my delicious, well-balanced culinary delight is thrown onto the floor.
Librarian - Books are neatly stacked on the shelves and in baskets at the end of each day. The perfect stories are chosen for bedtime and silent reading. I show Charlie how to hold the books, point to the words as I read, and show him how to treat them gently. I read aloud using expression and with enthusiasm in the hopes that I will instill a lifelong love of reading.
Entertainer - You better be a triple threat if you are a mommy. In my house, I am a singer, dancer, and an actor. I am also a bit of a comedian. I will do just about anything to hear that belly laugh.
Body Guard - Right now, I feel like I protect Charlie from himself. If it is dangerous, he is drawn to it. So, I spend a lot of time moving small fingers away from places that can pinch, catching his body when it falls, and keeping anything that could hurt him out of his reach.
Events Coordinator - The days are all up to me. Play dates, grocery shopping, and trips to the park all must fit into our schedule. They must not interfere with meals or naps and can not be too late in the day for fear of a major meltdown.
Stylist - Charlie will be dressed in a cute outfit if we leave the house (I can not promise the same thing if we are at home all day). It will be free of wrinkles, and if at all possible, it will coordinate with what I am wearing (this does not happen often, but it puts a smile on my face when it does).
Manicurist - His little nails grow like weeds. I feel like I am constantly cutting them. I still get nervous each time I do his nails. So far, I have never cut him, but I live in fear with every snip.
Councilor/Therapist/Psychologist - Being a toddler is rough. There are big emotions in that little body. Many times during the day, I have to find a way to help Charlie cope with something that upsets him. I have to decide whether or not to comfort him during a tantrum or ignore it for fear that he will think he can get anything he wants. I have to determine how to discipline. I have to be aware of whether or not I am providing enough praise and encouragement. This job has proven to be the most nerve wracking.
Photographer - Capturing all of the special family moments can be very difficult. You want to take part in the moments, but you are scared that if you don't take pictures, it will be as if they never happened in the first place. And, heaven forbid you forget to bring the camera somewhere. You will be guilt ridden for days thinking about all of the photo opps you missed out on. It is a wonder there are ever any pictures of moms. We are always the ones stuck behind the camera.
Historian - I am the one who knows the day of the week that Charlie was born. I will tell him how old he was when he first rolled over, cut a tooth, or crawled. I will be the one who compares Charlie and his brother and determines who slept through the night first. Moms are expected to know all of these things and be able to talk about them at a moment's notice.
Did I miss anything???
September 18, 2009
September 17, 2009
Daddy Love
For the most part, Charlie does not play favorites with Nick and me. He likes being with both of us equally. Sometimes, however, he has a day where only one of us will do. On Sunday, he had stars in his eyes for Daddy. He wanted Nick to carry him everywhere, followed him around like a puppy, wanted to sit in his lap, and insisted on reading the Sunday paper with him as well. As I looked through my grocery circulars and cut my coupons, these are the sweet moments that melted my heart from across the kitchen table. Luckily, the camera was right there, so I could snap some pictures without disturbing my boys' special moment together.
September 11, 2009
Truer Words Have Never Been Spoken
Yesterday, I mentioned that I was experiencing a lot of discomfort this time around. I recognized the fact that as long as the baby is healthy, that is the most important thing. Well, today I had those words thrust in my face.
I woke up feeling icky this morning. After being up for a couple of hours, I started getting cramps that reminded my a lot of the cramps that I had when I first went into labor with Charlie. I decided to lay down for about thirty minutes and drink plenty of water to see if they would subside. They did, and I got up feeling very relieved. But as soon as I was up and moving again, the cramps came back. I was terrified. I called Nick for confirmation that I should be worried (I am the type of person who needs to be told to call the doctor). He told me to call, and I left a message for the nurse. I then called my mom to see if she could come over to watch Charlie in case I needed to be checked out by a doctor.
While I waited for the call back from the nurse, I figured they would tell me to get off of my feet and take it easy. That is was nothing to worry about and not to panic. When the nurse called back and sounded very concerned and told me that I should definitely come in, that is when the panic set in. I took a quick shower before heading down to Northside Hospital (the only place they had a doctor who was still working on a Friday afternoon). During my shower my mind raced with all of the possibilities - Something is wrong with the baby; I am in pre-term labor; My placenta is detaching. The list went on and on.
After a long drive and an eternity of a wait at the office, I was quickly checked and told not to worry. The midwife said that it sounded like I was dehydrated and to drink lots of water (which I do, by the way). I should have been relieved, right? Oddly I am still shaken up. How quickly things can change. Yesterday I was test driving names for this little baby, and today I was scared to death that something might be seriously wrong with him. I'll tell you what - Motherhood is not for the faint of heart!!!
I woke up feeling icky this morning. After being up for a couple of hours, I started getting cramps that reminded my a lot of the cramps that I had when I first went into labor with Charlie. I decided to lay down for about thirty minutes and drink plenty of water to see if they would subside. They did, and I got up feeling very relieved. But as soon as I was up and moving again, the cramps came back. I was terrified. I called Nick for confirmation that I should be worried (I am the type of person who needs to be told to call the doctor). He told me to call, and I left a message for the nurse. I then called my mom to see if she could come over to watch Charlie in case I needed to be checked out by a doctor.
While I waited for the call back from the nurse, I figured they would tell me to get off of my feet and take it easy. That is was nothing to worry about and not to panic. When the nurse called back and sounded very concerned and told me that I should definitely come in, that is when the panic set in. I took a quick shower before heading down to Northside Hospital (the only place they had a doctor who was still working on a Friday afternoon). During my shower my mind raced with all of the possibilities - Something is wrong with the baby; I am in pre-term labor; My placenta is detaching. The list went on and on.
After a long drive and an eternity of a wait at the office, I was quickly checked and told not to worry. The midwife said that it sounded like I was dehydrated and to drink lots of water (which I do, by the way). I should have been relieved, right? Oddly I am still shaken up. How quickly things can change. Yesterday I was test driving names for this little baby, and today I was scared to death that something might be seriously wrong with him. I'll tell you what - Motherhood is not for the faint of heart!!!
September 10, 2009
The Name Game
As you know, Baby Boy Shaw is nameless at the moment. Nick would be content to brainstorm names on the way to the hospital in between contractions, but this girl needs a name ASAP. Charlie and I made a trip to Barnes and Noble today and bought the biggest baby name book on the shelf. Nick is out tonight, so I am making a cup of tea and immersing myself in names as soon as I finish this post. I am open for suggestions. If you have a name that you think would sound good with Shaw, by all means, please share.
Okay, I think that about covers the rules for naming our baby boy. If you suggest a winning name, I will be your best friend and be forever in your debt. Good luck playing. Nick and I have been at it for 9 weeks now and have yet to win.
Here are the rules for playing The Name Game:
1. The name must have 2 or more syllables to sound good with Shaw.
2. Nick does NOT like very modern/trendy names (ex: Lola, Lincoln, etc.).
3. I do not want a very popular name. I was always the only Lindsay in my class, and I want that for my children, too.
4. It cannot start with "s" or end with "sh".
Okay, I think that about covers the rules for naming our baby boy. If you suggest a winning name, I will be your best friend and be forever in your debt. Good luck playing. Nick and I have been at it for 9 weeks now and have yet to win.
We're Half Way There, Baby!
I am twenty weeks pregnant today. That means I am halfway through my pregnancy. Whoo-hoo!!! I still have a long way to go, but with the holidays just around the corner, I know this baby boy will be here before we know it.
Now that we know for sure it is a boy, I can start planning the nursery. We will be converting one of our guest rooms into Baby Boy Shaw's room over the next few months. During a complete nesting moment a few weeks ago, I cleared out all of the items that we had been storing in the chest of drawers in that room. We are giving the bedroom set to a family friend, who will be coming from SC to pick it up within the next month. So, I feel good about starting the nursery. I have a month to settle on furniture, a paint color, and bedding (all of which I have already been eyeing on the Internet). So, let the decorating fun begin.
As for me, this pregnancy has been a hard adjustment. It has been the complete opposite of my pregnancy with Charlie. This time I was sick until 14 weeks, and now I am having all sorts of aches and pains. I asked my OB about it yesterday (secretly hoping that she would have a magic cure). According to her, I am two years older and my body is stretched out from carrying Charlie. So her advice, in other words, was to suck it up for the next twenty weeks. Actually, she was very nice, it was just not exactly what I wanted to hear. I am still counting my blessings because I know that there are a lot of women out there who are much worse off. And I know that as long as the baby is doing well, that is way more important than my temporary discomfort. Like I said, it's just been an adjustment for me.
Here are the latest belly pictures. Sorry if my smile looks fake, but I am having a bad hair day and feeling chubby after learning that I put on 5 pounds since my last appointment. I am also including a couple ultrasound pictures from yesterday. One is a profile shot of the baby and the other proves that we are having a boy. You probably can't see it, but the ultrasound tech typed in Family Jewels next to the baby's boy parts. Nice.
Now that we know for sure it is a boy, I can start planning the nursery. We will be converting one of our guest rooms into Baby Boy Shaw's room over the next few months. During a complete nesting moment a few weeks ago, I cleared out all of the items that we had been storing in the chest of drawers in that room. We are giving the bedroom set to a family friend, who will be coming from SC to pick it up within the next month. So, I feel good about starting the nursery. I have a month to settle on furniture, a paint color, and bedding (all of which I have already been eyeing on the Internet). So, let the decorating fun begin.
As for me, this pregnancy has been a hard adjustment. It has been the complete opposite of my pregnancy with Charlie. This time I was sick until 14 weeks, and now I am having all sorts of aches and pains. I asked my OB about it yesterday (secretly hoping that she would have a magic cure). According to her, I am two years older and my body is stretched out from carrying Charlie. So her advice, in other words, was to suck it up for the next twenty weeks. Actually, she was very nice, it was just not exactly what I wanted to hear. I am still counting my blessings because I know that there are a lot of women out there who are much worse off. And I know that as long as the baby is doing well, that is way more important than my temporary discomfort. Like I said, it's just been an adjustment for me.
Here are the latest belly pictures. Sorry if my smile looks fake, but I am having a bad hair day and feeling chubby after learning that I put on 5 pounds since my last appointment. I am also including a couple ultrasound pictures from yesterday. One is a profile shot of the baby and the other proves that we are having a boy. You probably can't see it, but the ultrasound tech typed in Family Jewels next to the baby's boy parts. Nice.
September 9, 2009
Drumroll, please...
Snips and snails,
And puppy dog tails,
That's what little boys are made of.
.
Sugar and spice,
And all things nice,
That's what little girls are made of.
.
So, what will it be for our family - snips and snails or sugar and spice??? According to the ultrasound today, I am going to get a chance to unpack all of of Charlie's teeny, tiny newborn outfits so that he can share them with his baby brother. That's right - we are adding another boy to the Shaw Family, and we could not be happier!
.
We thought it was a boy after our 11 week ultrasound, but it was wonderful to see with our own eyes that we are definitely having a boy. And there was no mistaking it either. I made the announcement before the ultrasound tech could even open her mouth. We got other great news today as well. Baby Boy Shaw is developing and growing right on track and all of his vital organs are functioning properly. Today, his heartbeat was 149 bmp, and we got to watch his little heart beat for quite a while as they took measurements. He weighs 10 ounces and is 10 inches long. We also got to see him move his hands and arms and wiggle around a little. He kept opening and closing his mouth, too. It is just so much fun getting a little sneak peek of the baby. I wish they did ultrasounds at every visit. This will be my last one unless there are complications. So, it looks like the next time we see this little boy, he will be snuggling in our arms.
.
Baby Boy Shaw does not have a name just yet. Nick and I have very different ideas when it comes to baby names, and we have been searching for a boy name for months. The great debate continues tonight, because I want a name already!
September 8, 2009
Power of the Kiss
Charlie gets a lot of boo-boos these days. It always seems like he is running into or falling off of something. For the most part, he is a pretty tough cookie and does not even seem to notice the falls. Sometimes, he does take a bigger spill than normal, and I usually call him over to kiss his boo-boo if he is crying. It usually does the trick and makes everything right with the world again. Today, Charlie hit his elbow on something lightly, and I do not think that it really hurt all that much. But, before I knew it, he was heading my way pointing at his elbow and aiming it straight for the magic kissy lips that make all boo-boos instantly better. It may just be hormones, but it made me tear up a little. It was nice to know that he looks forward to my healing kisses when he is hurt or upset. And I do LOVE giving that boy kisses!
September 7, 2009
Charlie at 18 Months
Our little baby has turned into quite the big boy these days. I was looking at the baby pictures below the other day and just wondered where the time has gone? Charlie is 18 months old today and doesn't seem like a baby anymore. It makes me sad and happy all at once. He is able to do so much and is a blast to be around. There has been so much change in the last few months, and I really had to sit down and think about everything that he has accomplished. Here is our little man in a nutshell these days:
Temperament - Charlie is a thinker and a silent observer. He is not the little boy who runs into a situation without taking it all in first. This is a relief for me because many of his little friends are much more adventurous than he is. Away from home, Charlie sticks very close to us. He is slow to warm up to new people and places. Once he does, he is quiet and easygoing. He is so aware of other children and watches them intently. At home, he is much more comfortable and likely to explore and get into things. He has become a little ham and knows just what to do to get a laugh. His silly side has really come through recently, and we are loving it. He bounces from activity to activity during the day and can not sit still for a minute unless he is looking at his books. He would also prefer to play with my "toys" rather than his own. We are not at the point where Charlie will play independently. If I leave the room, he is sure to follow me wherever I go.
Over the past few months, we have seen an increase in Charlie's tantrums and random outbursts. Fortunately, the majority of these occur at home, and so far he is still really good out in public. He gets frustrated very easily, and I think it has a lot to do with the fact that he can't communicate what he wants or needs at that moment. Other times, he throws a fit because I don't give him what he wants. He has also began to show signs of aggression towards us. He will hit or push us away and throw himself against the floor when he gets upset. According to my friends, books, and parent mags it's all pretty typical toddler behavior. We have really had to start disciplining recently, which is tough with an 18-month-old. It is trying indeed, but as with everything else, this too shall pass in time.
Overall, Charlie just has a sweet and fun-loving little boy. He can be so serious one minute and then rolling on the floor laughing the next. He still loves to cuddle, and I know that is rare in a toddler. So, I am thankful for every nuzzle that I get throughout the day. Nick and I are really enjoying watching him turn into a little person, and we treasure every moment with him.
Development - Charlie is on track for all of his physical milestones. He is running everywhere, can throw and kick a ball, feed himself with a spoon and fork, stack objects, scribble with Color Wonder markers, and so much more. Some of his favorite gestures these days are waving goodbye, giving high-fives, clapping, shaking his head "no", and pointing. He has made great gains in his language development in just the last couple of weeks. Nick and I call it the word explosion. As I have mentioned before, Charlie just has not been talking much until now. He had three words (mama, dada, and ball) under his belt two weeks ago. Since then, we have heard bubble, puppy, baby, lovie (wubie), more, all gone, milk, uh-oh, and his all time new favorite word -NO. I can't tell you how good it feels to hear him talking more. He has been able to comprehend us and take directions for such a long time, and we have just been waiting for the other piece of the language puzzle to fall into place. Even if it means that my child now tells me "No" fifty times a day, I'll take it!
Likes - Charlie lets it be known when he loves something. He is borderline obsessive. These are a few of the things that he loves right now: books, music, playing outdoors, cleaning and helping with household chores, anything Elmo, watching TV, bath time and playing in any type of water, and his lovie.
Dislikes - He is equally as good about letting us know when he does NOT like something. Here are the things that drive the little guy crazy: being wiped off after meals, loud noises, getting dressed and undressed, dogs (big or small), and being told "No, sir."
Temperament - Charlie is a thinker and a silent observer. He is not the little boy who runs into a situation without taking it all in first. This is a relief for me because many of his little friends are much more adventurous than he is. Away from home, Charlie sticks very close to us. He is slow to warm up to new people and places. Once he does, he is quiet and easygoing. He is so aware of other children and watches them intently. At home, he is much more comfortable and likely to explore and get into things. He has become a little ham and knows just what to do to get a laugh. His silly side has really come through recently, and we are loving it. He bounces from activity to activity during the day and can not sit still for a minute unless he is looking at his books. He would also prefer to play with my "toys" rather than his own. We are not at the point where Charlie will play independently. If I leave the room, he is sure to follow me wherever I go.
Over the past few months, we have seen an increase in Charlie's tantrums and random outbursts. Fortunately, the majority of these occur at home, and so far he is still really good out in public. He gets frustrated very easily, and I think it has a lot to do with the fact that he can't communicate what he wants or needs at that moment. Other times, he throws a fit because I don't give him what he wants. He has also began to show signs of aggression towards us. He will hit or push us away and throw himself against the floor when he gets upset. According to my friends, books, and parent mags it's all pretty typical toddler behavior. We have really had to start disciplining recently, which is tough with an 18-month-old. It is trying indeed, but as with everything else, this too shall pass in time.
Overall, Charlie just has a sweet and fun-loving little boy. He can be so serious one minute and then rolling on the floor laughing the next. He still loves to cuddle, and I know that is rare in a toddler. So, I am thankful for every nuzzle that I get throughout the day. Nick and I are really enjoying watching him turn into a little person, and we treasure every moment with him.
Development - Charlie is on track for all of his physical milestones. He is running everywhere, can throw and kick a ball, feed himself with a spoon and fork, stack objects, scribble with Color Wonder markers, and so much more. Some of his favorite gestures these days are waving goodbye, giving high-fives, clapping, shaking his head "no", and pointing. He has made great gains in his language development in just the last couple of weeks. Nick and I call it the word explosion. As I have mentioned before, Charlie just has not been talking much until now. He had three words (mama, dada, and ball) under his belt two weeks ago. Since then, we have heard bubble, puppy, baby, lovie (wubie), more, all gone, milk, uh-oh, and his all time new favorite word -NO. I can't tell you how good it feels to hear him talking more. He has been able to comprehend us and take directions for such a long time, and we have just been waiting for the other piece of the language puzzle to fall into place. Even if it means that my child now tells me "No" fifty times a day, I'll take it!
Likes - Charlie lets it be known when he loves something. He is borderline obsessive. These are a few of the things that he loves right now: books, music, playing outdoors, cleaning and helping with household chores, anything Elmo, watching TV, bath time and playing in any type of water, and his lovie.
Dislikes - He is equally as good about letting us know when he does NOT like something. Here are the things that drive the little guy crazy: being wiped off after meals, loud noises, getting dressed and undressed, dogs (big or small), and being told "No, sir."
The BIG 3-0
Yes, that's me folks. I officially turned 30 years old at 3:56 pm on Friday. I really do love my birthday. It marks the beginning of gorgeous weather and it always falls near the long Labor Day weekend. This year the weekend was especially long because Nick took Friday off so that we could go to the GA Aquarium as a family.
We have been wanting to take Charlie to the aquarium for a while, and we just knew he would have a great time. Well, we were wrong. Charlie woke up in a terrible mood and pretty much stayed that way the rest of my birthday. He was not impressed with the beautiful exhibits, and was content to stay in his stroller with his snack. Nick and I had a great time, however. I brought my camera and had so much fun playing photographer.
The rest of the weekend was packed with activity. We had a yummy steak dinner with my parents on Friday. Charlie had a sleepover at Grandaddy and Oma's on Saturday so that Nick and I could have a date night. We ate at one of our favorite restaurants, Zola, and enjoyed being able to sleep in the next morning. Today, we had a yummy rib dinner at my in-law's which was cooked by Madeline's boyfriend, Stewart. I have missed Stewart's cooking skills ever since the beach! It was a wonderful four-day birthday weekend and a great way to enter my 30's!
Adventures in Parenting
One of the aspects that I loved most about teaching was that no two days were ever the same. Children have a way of keeping you on your toes at all times. The same has proven to be true with parenthood. Depending on which side of the crib Charlie wakes up on, our days can be totally relaxed and fun or hectic and frazzled. I like it that way. It keeps things interesting and fun, and now that Charlie is a full fledged toddler, I am really on my toes.
Last Wednesday, Charlie decided to give his mommy an early morning test. We had just finished breakfast, and I was cleaning Charlie up and waiting for Samson to come in from doing his morning business. As I opened the storm door to our deck to let dog in, I noticed that he had decided to roll around in the mud and was filthy. I quickly shooed him back out and proceeded to get a bowl of warm water and paper towels to wipe him off with. As I did this, I told Charlie what I was doing and how Samson was a silly puppy. Charlie stood at the storm door watching Samson and giggling at him through the glass. I stepped outside and began washing Samson when I heard the distinct sound of our back door closing on the other side of the storm door. "What a little stinker," I thought to myself. Charlie thought it would be funny to close the door on us. I continued to wash Samson. When his bath was complete, I attempted to open the door and quickly realized that I was locked out. Charlie stood on the other side of the door with his arms in the air and said, "Uh-oh" as I turned the knob in hopes that it would magically unlock.
Well, $#!%...
At one point in time, we kept a spare key in a fake rock at the front of the house. We had removed the key to make copies and had not yet put it back. So, I was literally locked out with no way in, while my 18-month-old was alone inside.
Well, $#!%...
I didn't cry or panic because I knew Charlie would completely freak out if I did. Instead, I had him follow me as I tried to open all of the windows I could reach. I then gave a few feeble attempts at throwing myself against the door (cue laughter). I knew that I had to go get help from a neighbor, but I was so worried about leaving Charlie alone. I wasn't worried about him getting into anything. I just knew he would be worried and upset. So, I told him that I would be right back and headed to our neighbor's house praying that she would be home.
Did I mention that we had just woken up? I don't know how you look when you wake up, but I wouldn't win any beauty contests. My pajamas did not match, my hair was all over the place, I had slept in my make-up from the day before, I had not brushed my teeth yet, and on top of everything else, I was not wearing a bra. I also said a little prayer that my neighbor's husband would NOT be home.
Luckily, my neighbor was getting in her car as I made the walk of shame up her driveway. She graciously let me use her phone so that I could call the one and only number that I know by heart (thanks cell phones). I called my parent's house and said another prayer that they would pick up. My lucky day again, because my dad picked up on the second ring. Thank goodness, because the next call was going to be to 911.
My parents live about 20 minutes away, so I was relieved to know that Charlie and I would soon be reunited on the same side of the door. I walked back to the house to find Charlie in the fetal position holding his lovie on the family room floor...so pathetic. He was thrilled to see me again. And I was happy to know that we were about to be rescued. Now, I just had to keep him entertained for the next 20 minutes from the window.
We played peek-a-boo, made silly faces, tapped on the window, and were having a good time. Charlie sticks pretty close to me when I am in the house, so I was not really worried about him taking off out of my sight. That is, until he started to get comfortable with the fact that I was on the other side of the window. I could see the wheels churning in his little head..."What can I get into?" In about a five minute span, Charlie found a bag of pretzels and began grabbing fist fulls and dumping them on the floor. He danced on them for a while and then ate them and smeared pieces on the window for me to see. He had a grand time with the pretzels, but his face really lit up when he noticed my water glass on the end table. He ran over to get in, took a few sips, and then dumped the rest on the floor. He then took the glass into the bathroom and began playing in the toilet - taking water in the cup and dumping it back into the toilet. Upon hearing my dad come through the door, he dropped the glass and its contents on the hall floor and said, "Uh-oh."
If I wasn't pregnant, I would have opened a bottle of wine the second I got back into the house. Unfortunately for me, I had to settle for a hot shower to calm my nerves instead.
Last Wednesday, Charlie decided to give his mommy an early morning test. We had just finished breakfast, and I was cleaning Charlie up and waiting for Samson to come in from doing his morning business. As I opened the storm door to our deck to let dog in, I noticed that he had decided to roll around in the mud and was filthy. I quickly shooed him back out and proceeded to get a bowl of warm water and paper towels to wipe him off with. As I did this, I told Charlie what I was doing and how Samson was a silly puppy. Charlie stood at the storm door watching Samson and giggling at him through the glass. I stepped outside and began washing Samson when I heard the distinct sound of our back door closing on the other side of the storm door. "What a little stinker," I thought to myself. Charlie thought it would be funny to close the door on us. I continued to wash Samson. When his bath was complete, I attempted to open the door and quickly realized that I was locked out. Charlie stood on the other side of the door with his arms in the air and said, "Uh-oh" as I turned the knob in hopes that it would magically unlock.
Well, $#!%...
At one point in time, we kept a spare key in a fake rock at the front of the house. We had removed the key to make copies and had not yet put it back. So, I was literally locked out with no way in, while my 18-month-old was alone inside.
Well, $#!%...
I didn't cry or panic because I knew Charlie would completely freak out if I did. Instead, I had him follow me as I tried to open all of the windows I could reach. I then gave a few feeble attempts at throwing myself against the door (cue laughter). I knew that I had to go get help from a neighbor, but I was so worried about leaving Charlie alone. I wasn't worried about him getting into anything. I just knew he would be worried and upset. So, I told him that I would be right back and headed to our neighbor's house praying that she would be home.
Did I mention that we had just woken up? I don't know how you look when you wake up, but I wouldn't win any beauty contests. My pajamas did not match, my hair was all over the place, I had slept in my make-up from the day before, I had not brushed my teeth yet, and on top of everything else, I was not wearing a bra. I also said a little prayer that my neighbor's husband would NOT be home.
Luckily, my neighbor was getting in her car as I made the walk of shame up her driveway. She graciously let me use her phone so that I could call the one and only number that I know by heart (thanks cell phones). I called my parent's house and said another prayer that they would pick up. My lucky day again, because my dad picked up on the second ring. Thank goodness, because the next call was going to be to 911.
My parents live about 20 minutes away, so I was relieved to know that Charlie and I would soon be reunited on the same side of the door. I walked back to the house to find Charlie in the fetal position holding his lovie on the family room floor...so pathetic. He was thrilled to see me again. And I was happy to know that we were about to be rescued. Now, I just had to keep him entertained for the next 20 minutes from the window.
We played peek-a-boo, made silly faces, tapped on the window, and were having a good time. Charlie sticks pretty close to me when I am in the house, so I was not really worried about him taking off out of my sight. That is, until he started to get comfortable with the fact that I was on the other side of the window. I could see the wheels churning in his little head..."What can I get into?" In about a five minute span, Charlie found a bag of pretzels and began grabbing fist fulls and dumping them on the floor. He danced on them for a while and then ate them and smeared pieces on the window for me to see. He had a grand time with the pretzels, but his face really lit up when he noticed my water glass on the end table. He ran over to get in, took a few sips, and then dumped the rest on the floor. He then took the glass into the bathroom and began playing in the toilet - taking water in the cup and dumping it back into the toilet. Upon hearing my dad come through the door, he dropped the glass and its contents on the hall floor and said, "Uh-oh."
If I wasn't pregnant, I would have opened a bottle of wine the second I got back into the house. Unfortunately for me, I had to settle for a hot shower to calm my nerves instead.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
