It’s not my proudest day of motherhood today. Not that anything horrible has happened – I’m just off my game. Baby E got to bed late, thanks mostly to my lack of time management today, and this after he had eaten for dinner, among other things, some kidney beans that actually were a little over-funky (I accidentally left them out overnight but didn’t realize because they got put in the fridge in the morning). Sigh.
The worst bit was this afternoon – E had been napping for an hour and a quarter, not making a peep, when I suddenly heard a thump, an ominous pause (during which I was running for his room), and a wail. The day has finally come when he can get over the crib rail – admittedly we don’t have the mattress level down as far as it can go, because he’s never been ambitious about getting out before. As I’ve mentioned, he’s not doing much climbing yet. But today he must have woken up with a newfound drive, not bothered to fuss at all, and just got right down to business… and fell right out.
He was unhurt, it seems, but was pretty scared and cried seriously for a bit. Poor sweetie. I don’t completely blame myself for that one – but I should have known it would happen sometime. You can imagine how I feel. Parents feel bad enough just when things almost happen – like the time E almost fell off the change table head first, on Daddy’s watch, but Daddy, with his grocery-store reflexes, caught him in mid-air. No harm done (unless you count Daddy’s nerves).
Or like the other evening when I was getting E mellowed out for bed, and he was feeling a bit nutty: after zerberting my chest for several minutes, leaned over and bit my arm. (He’s normally not an arm-biter – typically it’s still just noses.) It hurt and shocked me enough to yell “Ow!” quite loudly, which of course shocked the little guy, and then made him cry fit to break my heart.
Anyway, it’s all water under the bridge, there’s no permanent damage (so far… I hope!), right?
For times like this, Sean discovered the perfect pick-me-up. If this wonderful creation doesn’t bring a smile to your face or a tear to your eye, or both, I’ll eat my shorts. Ze Frank… a guy with extraordinary talents and ideas – and now you’ll want to give him a hug.
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So sorry, sweetie! Yes, these days happen. It’s really a natural law that a baby will learn to do something new and dangerous WHEN S/HE IS ALONE. I know I’ve told you about when Ben learned to roll over – on the change table, just when I’d gone to answer the phone. I’d strapped him in, just in case, but that did not prevent me from having serious palpitations when I said to my caller, “Hang on – I’m just changing the baby”, went back across the hall, and found him suspended from the safety belt, OFF the edge of the change table, pulling tissues out of the Kleenex box!
This mental picture is so clear in my head! It makes me both shudder and laugh.
Yea, listen to Ze, what he say, you’ll be OK! That is really a wonderful creation and story. Wow. Does that little girl say “I’m scared” at the end? It’s a pretty wonderful song, in my opinion.
I hope you have a really good night and feel great tomorrow! I love you! and E does too and told me he doesn’t think you do anything wrong ever. Except not let him eat shoes sometimes.
That’s a great song! I’ve bookmarked it for the next time I need to chillout…. really could have used it yesterday I tell ya!
…. and you’re not having a bad mom day…. just a regular mom day (while technically not fully qualified in the mom department, I do have an honourary degree, so trust me when I say this). 🙂
WOW I can not believe he climbed out! Matthew did not try that trick til well after a year. Some days are better than others my friend the tough days are what makes the good days so great. We all have a story about the day we made mistake. You are doing a great job and today will be better. Lots of Love!
Wow I SOOOO love that ze story and song! I had to repost on my blog and listen to it several thousand times (that child saying, “I’m scared…” at the end was priceless).
And, btw, I don’t think ‘bad’ and ‘mom’ are allowed to go in the same sentence when describing you or your day. Maybe ‘crafty’ or ‘strong’ or ‘motivated’ and ‘child’?
Thanks, Heather. You’re right, those words all do apply to my child. 😉 And I may have guilt about mistakes I make (in spite of those who say, “No mom guilt!” – I know it’s silly, but it’s habit), but I’m also proud of a lot of things about motherhood so far. It all works out, right?
I still have the song in my head, two days later… and I like it.