Memories

Ok, if you aren't planning on starting or continuing to grow your family, do NOT drink the water in...well, come to think of it, I don't know where the preggo fountain is (wish I did sweet Kami...I'd bottle it up for you and hand deliver it) but I know I need to stay away from it. Recently, several people have announced their future bundles of joy, not to mention the outbreak of pregger mamas at the gym.

It goes without saying that having heard the "I'm pregnant" line many times in the last couple of weeks, I can't help but see bulging bellies everywhere I look. Just like back in high school when Bon decided she wanted a Mustang (yellow right Bon?) we started seeing Mustangs everywhere we looked. Big bellies is no exception.

Then today, one of my FB friends posted an absolutely adorable story about her 2 1/2 year old daughter that made me laugh out loud. And then, reflect. The boys are at an amazing age right now. They are loads of fun, they are insightful and funny, and I wish I could just bottle up this time so that I can drink it forever and ever. However, some of my most favoritest (yep, I think I'll use that word more often, it was fun in the last post--right?) ahem. Carrying on...memories of the boys are from when they were young. And after seeing the FB post, one in particular stood out. Let me take you back.

Many moons ago when my 1 day away from being 12 year old!! was only 26 months, and my sweet 10 year old was just a wee 2 months old, something happened that causes me to smile every time I think about it. I was a stay home mom, loving every moment, and not even thinking about a career. I had taken a position at Bath & Body Works in a position that only required me to work on Sunday evenings once a month. Seriously, it was so minimal, but it gave me a chance to get out of the house, it carried a great discount, and I was able to be around adults. I didn't even work during open hours, I simply came in to do display changes. I didn't even dress up, in fact I dressed down because it was real labor moving all the displays! ANYway-- my manager at B&BW referred me to the managers at Eddie Bauer as a great candidate to manage their store. After some thinking (and regretfully very little praying--I wasn't quite there yet at this age, many of my decisions at this point were not prayer led.) I thought being referred in this fashion when working wasn't even a glimmer in my eye, was a great sign that I should be back in the land-o-work. So I agreed to do some interviews. The first? Over the phone. Dun dun duuuunnnn. Yep, a little foreshadowing. Let me remind you 2yr + 2 months + phone interview = ??

The day of the phone interview came, and I knew that the phone would be ringing soon, so I propped up the baby in his vibrating seat..you know the one right? I put Toy Story in...seriously, what child doesn't love Buzz and Woody? I filled a tupperware dish with snackies for the 2 year old, and filled several sippie cups...hoping, and praying (except that I didn't really back then, but I've said that already) that this would keep him occupied while I began the interview process--on.the.phone.

Before the call came in, I went into the bedroom and closed the door, because I don't know what it is with toddlers and moms on the phone, but it becomes a magnet for trouble, so I didn't want him to know I was on it. The call came, and I chatted awhile. Truthfully, I can't remember how long the interview was--20 min? 40 min? 50 min? No clue. But what does stand out very clearly is what I saw when I exited the bedroom.

My 2 month old was still happily cooing in his vibrating chair, only now, he was covered in makeup. Not just foundation, but eyeliner, lipstick, eyeshadow, with large amounts of desitin--for good measure. His whole head. Covered. Not to mention all the snackies and matchbox cars covering his body and chair that Benjamin was likely "sharing" with the baby. Where oh where did all of this come from? My 2 year old is not to be found. So I turned from where I was standing, and low and behold, he was standing IN the sink in the bathroom. IN it. A pedestal sink. IN it. 2!! How he got up there, I still don't know.

You'd think he too was covered in makeup wouldn't you? Well, he was certainly made up, minus the desitin, but what topped the cake was that he was coloring the mirror! After I got over the shock, and explained to him that we don't color the baby --or ourselves-- and reminded him that the baby doesn't eat goldfish or grapes or ANYthing that doesn't come from mommy, and baby is not old enough to appreciate your matchbox cars, and that he could really hurt himself if he bonked his little head...I asked him why he did what he did.

His response?

Mommies wear this when they go to work. He was 2. With a mama who doesn't have a job. How did he know?

So insightful...even then. Thank you Margo for sharing your story, it reminded me what it was like to have little ones again. I miss those days. But not enough to drink the water. Ever. Ever.