Today I brought in a few loads of clothes to a consignment shop and while I was looking around, thought about something that’s been on my mind much more lately: in a couple months, when I do this, I’ll be lugging a baby. I had a similar thought at my last dentist’s appointment when the receptionist asked, “So, should we schedule your semi-annual teeth cleaning for April?”
I started to say yes but paused. “How about if I get back to you on that once we’re parents?” “I’ll need to find a sitter so I can come in.”
Stroller, Ergo or arms. In two months, wherever I go goest the baby. And if she’s not attached to me, then arrangements need to be made so she can be attached to someone else.
Motherhood is definitely going to require a major mind-shift. As a late comer to this role, for Big Papa and me, it’s going to be one of the more challenging adjustments. I laughed when a friend told me about unloading all her groceries and then, a few minutes later, a neighbor knocked on their door and wanted to know if that was their baby, in the carrier, on the front steps. I know this could soon be us.
Me: “Hey Big Papa, do you have the bottle?”
Big Papa: “Yep.”
Me: “How about the diaper bag?”
Big Papa: “Uh-huh.”
Me: “And the snacks?”
Big Papa: “You betcha.”
Me: “Okay then. We’re ready to roll.”
Big Papa: “Uh. What about the baby?”
As a fifty-something, who didn’t get married until the ripe old age of 48, I have spent the majority of my life zipping from this activity to that one. I haven’t needed to think about all the things I will need to think about when we become parents.
Now I will need to make sure I allow for extra time to get the baby dressed and have her travel supplies packed and stowed along. When I do my grocery shopping (or anything else), it will take longer to haul out the stroller, get the baby into or out of her cars seat. And, I’m sure I’ll start using both arms, hips and whatever body parts are necessary to balance our baby, my cup of java, market veggies or whatever else I’m towing home.
If I want to take an hour to shop for clothes, my pint-sized personal assistant is going to be slung over one hip while I carry hangars with garments on the other arm. She’ll be in the fitting room cooing (or – heaven help me – screaming) while I look at her and say, “How does mama look in these pants?”
Still, no matter the life-altering changes that will soon befall my days or the extra hassles and time involved with shepherding a baby wherever you go, Big Papa and I will figure it out. And our little girl is one accessory I can’t wait to try on.
