What's new with RM, the Mr., and C?

Went to the outlet mall yesterday. We really wanted to walk around and it was raining, and R needed some new clothes, so there you go.

There are certain activities that are uniquely parental in my mind. Shoe shopping, for instance. Like, I can buy clothes, books, toys, for my nieces, nephews, friends’ kids, etc., but I don’t buy shoes for any child but my own. Shoe shopping kinda freaks me out. (Yeah, I know, I need to relax.) I’m always so worried the shoes will be too small, or give her blisters—because really, shoes are so subjective. Stride Rite also puts the fear into you—like if you dare buy anything but Stride Rites, your child, your own beloved flesh and blood, will be freakishly deformed. OK I’m exaggerating. Also, as a confirmed size 10, which I’ve worn since I was, what, 12 years old, I’ve had my share of shoe trauma—shoes that don’t fit, or stupid unfashionable shoes that do.

So yesterday I’m at the mall, and C’s trying on shoes, and I’m pinching her toes through the shoe, slipping my finger behind her heel, asking her to walk around, and I realize, I look like I know what I’m doing. But I don’t. And I realized how much of adult living is like that. Nobody taught me how to do this, I’m just doing it, and it’s probably going to be OK. And I realized that when my mom would take me shopping and do the toe-pinch and heel-finger thing, that she didn’t know what she was doing either—although she had me convinced. It never occurred to me that my parents were going, “Hell, I’m making this up as I go along.”

Another making it up as we go along thing: C got nursemaid’s elbow again today. She gets it every several months or so. We’re careful not to pick her up by her hands or jerk her around (we wouldn’t do that anyway!), but sometimes something weird happens. Last time we went to the doctor, they showed us how to reset it. And it worked! Of course it took several tries, which C did NOT like. But when it gets reset, it’s miraculous—she stops crying and starts moving the arm within seconds. That’s a nice parental moment. We made it better!

R has also brought her into worship each week since Easter. He takes her to the nursery before the sermon, and she loves it! The singing, the bells, the time with the children. She also liked sitting on Mommy's lap. I like that too.

C’s also extremely excited about the potty. (Toilet-talk follows; feel free to skip) I can’t remember the last time she pooped in her diaper. She’s really into it, so we’re following her lead—but we’re not in any hurry to ramp things up. Diapers are awfully convenient, and what’s the point of pushing? But the nursery worker (wonderful woman who’s raised a large family and has been working at our church for years) says she went twice while she was there, and that we should just go for it. I respect her wisdom; is this a window of opportunity? Ack, I’m not ready! (OK, the truth comes out.)