It's been a big day and it's not even 2:30 yet. This morning Bennett had his first appointment with a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. We've had the appointment for a while and I've been anxious about it. Well, we were in and out in less than 25 minutes and that includes the time it took for Bennett to make friends with the receptionist, help her with her computer and then throw in a few snuggles just for fun.
The doctor checked range of motion and how he stands and his hips. Everything looks good! The doctor was impressed with Bennett's full range of motion and has no concerns about anything else at this time - he'll see him again in a year. In the meantime, Bennett will have his leg casted for an ankle brace. He probably won't have it until mid to late summer but at least it's a step in the right direction. While we were there we also ran into our OT and had a brief conversation about the botox clinic. She's very happy with how his hand is open most of the time and said the botox people will probably wonder what the heck we're doing there. So, good news this morning. Yay Bennett!
And now to the story that inspired the title of this post. After we dropped Jim off at work, I decided to venture out again to my favourite store - Costco. One of the things I like about going there are the free samples. Bennett likes them too. Today they were giving out Oreo cakesters. I don't know what I was thinking when I grabbed one for Bennett. I've come to the conclusion that I couldn't have been thinking at all. Within seconds he had it mushed and melted all over his hand and face - what a mess!! Complicating this situation is the fact that I left the diaper bag in the van. What to do? I didn't want to go and ask for a napkin - I was embarrased enough already. So, once again I hobbled off to a quiet corner and then did something I swore that I would never do. Something BEYOND what I thought I would never do - WAY, WAY, WAY beyond. Warning: The following is rather disgusting and is not suitable for sensitive readers. So, what did I do you wonder? Well, I grabbed his hand and I licked it - I licked his palm, his fingers, and the top of his hand until they were somewhat clean. And then what did I do? I licked his face - his cheeks, chin, his mouth. I licked it all until it was clean. Although I was mortified with every lick, Bennett was delighted. He laughed - not just giggles - but BIG belly laughs. He squealed - and not just a little squeal - it was deafening. So much for my attempt to appear inconspicuous. A few people noticed and just laughed but who knows what they were thinking or what they said when they were out of earshot.
So, no more can I make fun of or shake my head at the mother who gently spits on a napkin and dabs her child's face clean. I have moved so far beyond that. All I can do is hang my head and tongue in shame. Licking my child clean, what a mother! I should've asked for a napkin.
When we got home, we played for a while and then Bennett went to sleep. I've added pictures above of his sleeping position - how is that even comfortable? Anyway, I wonder what he's going to dream about this afternoon?
16 comments:
Bennett, you cute charmer you, teaching and flirting with the receptionist - what a guy!
With all that 'good news' no wonder you wanted to venture forth and enjoy the rest of your day.
What better place then Costco - and yes the samples are really delicious - just ask Bennett and Mommy (who had seconds). Ha! Ha!
Barbara, you are my hero and you have once again 'made my day'!
Never mind Bennett's belly laughs - what about your 'loyal-fans-of-the-Blog'! I am still laughing as I am typing. Dad read the Blog first and would not tell me about it. He said it had to read 'first hand' and he was right (again)!
Please keep on motoring with your baby boy and thanks a bunch for the mind boggling pictures you created of 'Mother and Son dining out'! Fun! Fun! and more Fun!
These adventures are the things that you will look back on in the years to come and still be 'belly laughing'!
I am still laughing!
See you tomorrow.
Love and Prayers
Mummu and Poppa
xxx ooo xxx ooo xxx ooo
Hi Bennett,
I just read your blog and I have tears in my eyes, sore tummy, sides, belly, and jaws from laughing so hard. I'm thinking that she might have viewed too many animal birthing films when she was the NHE leader at the Provincial Parks.
Animal mommies lick their babies clean usually right after birth, not a year and a half later.
This is the first time that I have ever heard of a human mommy licking her offspring clean.
I would have loved to be there to see your mommy "cleaning" you up and hearing you belly laughing.
I know that I won't get much sleep tonight because a vision of you and your mommy will pop into my head and I'll start to laugh again.
Oh, by the way, how the heck can you sleep in that position? It is sooooooo CUTE.
Lots of love, hugs and kisses
Grandma and Grandpa
Suzie called and told me to check the blog right away.
So I did.
Barbara, you are such a treat!! Austin and I were also in tears, laughing.
To me what you did is not abnormal. It was a little unexpected however and your sharing it with everyone was a special treat.
Working with wild animals most every day has required that I cross a few boundaries myself. I bottle feed baby raccoons - lots of them. We have to stimulate them to urinate and defacate (as mom would do in the wild). I take a tissue (with a gloved hand of course) and wipe their little buts and other parts and when I do they purr and make the most wonderful sounds and look at you with such love and gratefulness in their eyes, it just makes you melt. I find myself feeling very proud and joyful when the desired results are obtained.
All mom's do what they need to do, two legged or four or a combination of both. What the heck, hey!!!
What you didn't say Barb is that you enjoyed it too! Fess up girl!
A beautiful, primal and special thing to do. Thank you so much for sharing it.
Auntie Gates
I used to HATE when my mom licked her hand and washed my face. Just like I hated when she told me "OUT or IN!" I of course do both of these now.
OH and what type of brace is Bennett going to get? We meet next week to discuss this with our doctor.
Count me among the LOL crowd tonight. Thank you soooo much for sharing that story! Barbara
Hahaha! I am soooo glad I'm not the only mom that licks her kid clean. Kinda gross, yep- but ya know- when ya run out of wipes, ya gotta do what ya gotta do!
I love the butt in the air pictures! Oh so cute!
Barbara - SO FUNNY!!! I had to read it out loud to Drew because I was laughing so hard! I bet that every person who saw you thought it was the cutest thing ever. There is nothing better than a little one with a belly laugh!! This is a story that Bennett will someday roll his eyes at, but secretly love!!
Thanks for sharing! You are a wonderful writer and you draw such vivid images!!
Hilarious. I think the older we yet the less we care what anyone else is thinking. I'll be quite a handful when I'm eighty.
I think all the time about what you said about shoes. I actually bought a pair of shoes for Charlie, so he'll look like a typical one-year-old, but I never put them on him. Then, the other day, I saw a kid that had to be eleven in a wheelchair and he didn't have on any shoes. Looked funny. I guess I'm just gonna have to start putting those dang shoes on him.
We have been casted for AFO's and I am ready for them to get here. We've been working on standing a little, but the therapists will let us do so much more once he gets his AFOs.
Mummu - You made the point the other day that I could've gone to the washroom and clean him up. I thought of that too - when I got home. From my actions it's pretty obvious that I wasn't thinking clearly! But it makes for fun reading!
Grandma - I'm glad that I've provided you with so much amusement. I hope you haven't injured yourself too seriously!
Auntie Gates - It's amazing what we'll do for those that need help. I have no doubt that your experiences have been very rewarding. I must say though, that although I always enjoy Bennett's laugh, I was grossed out! We're talking about someone who can't even share a spoon with her husband!
North Dakota - I can't believe that I don't know your name! Bennett's brace will have a hinge that will allow movement but prevent him from getting up on his toes on his affected foot. Good luck with your appt.!
therextras - I can't believe that I actually hit the publish button! The things you share when you're blogging!
Jessica - Thank You! I'm so glad to know that I'm not the only one that has licked her kid clean!
Keira - I hope people thought it was funny. I keep reminding myself that they were probably too distracted with Bennett's crazy belly laughs to notice what I was doing!
Bird - I think you're right about the shoes. Even though Bennett is a long way from walking I find it almost impossible to leave the house now without his shoes. I just have to make sure I have them on the right feet! Your point about the boy in the wheelchair is right on. I spent 4.5 months in my wheelchair and still have to use one sometimes and I would never consider not wearing my shoes.
Soon you'll be a pro at the "spit wash." What's really sad is I didn't find it disgusting one iota. Totally normal and a near daily occurrence here. Well maybe not the licking part but definitely spit washing. ;)
You're so right Barbara!
... remember the sign outside the ladies washroom at COSTCO - no merchandise beyond this point - and we know that you would not think of 'crossing the line' and bringing Bennett in to wash-up.
Anyway, it was far more fun your way!
You did the right thing and by the responses on the Blog you are not alone.
Mothers just do what they have to do and everything worked out fine for you and Bennett. If you had not 'licked-him-clean' you would have missed (and all your loyal readers would have missed) all the belly laughs!
... here I go laughing again!
... until the next time.
Love and prayers
Mummu and Poppa
xxx ooo xxx ooo xxx ooo
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for writing on my blog. I hope you will check back now and again. I don't contribute much to the hemi kids list either but do try to scan it every couple of days. We are fortunate in that a lot of it doesn't apply to Anna's condition.
I read a bit of your blog and couldn't stop laughing about your 'snack' at Costco. I too have found myself doing things I vowed before she was born never to do! Ah, motherhood. And as for the sleeping position - adorable! My cousin used to sleep that way and I always thought it looked so uncomfortable but, hey, whatever works, right?! Have a great weekend!
Vicki
www.babystrokes-lifeofanna.blogspot.com
In those type of moments I always remind myself that my children and I shared the same body for a while. So, my spit and there spit can be interchange-able. LOL
You showed great Motherhood ingenuity there. Or what I call a great Matlock Motherhood moment!
I laughed out loud. Good for you! Hope you both enjoyed the cookie! Love, Auntie Bonnie
Hi Bennett,
I just realized that your mommy gave you a good lickin!
grandma
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