oh the love
The kids are finally in bed. We collapse on the couch, ready to veg. We are so tired tonight. We vow that nothing short of a life or death situation can call us back up to their rooms. We have Seinfeld on TiVo and ice cream in the freezer. There is nothing more we could ask for in life.
The monitor crackles. We hear Babs’ voice, loud, mostly unintelligible. She is pressing her lips against the monitor on her end. She talks. And talks and talks. Perhaps she is reciting the Gettysburg Address. There is a lot of talking. We’re finally able to pick out a few words:
“MOMMY AND DADDY,” (something muffled) “SCRATCH MY BACK,” (crackle, crackle, something else) “AND I WILL COUNT TO TWENTY…” (long pause) “A-BILLION! TWENTY-A-BILLION!” (muffle, crackle) “…PLEASE.”
We look at each other. She wants us to scratch her back until she counts to twenty-a-billion. She has trumped us with the cute card. Resistance is futile. We go up to her room. We coo, we snuggle, we scratch her back, we count. This child of ours is God-sent, irresistible. There is love all around.
And then she throws up everywhere.
I’m sorry, but I’m laughing. Julia does that too — lures us up to her room with cute bait and we end up falling asleep in bed with her, to her absolute delight. But she’s never barfed on us before. (((you))) I hope she’s okay.
Comment by mama_tulip — June 9, 2006 @ June 9, 2006 at 5:56 am
OH NO! Had one of those evenings one too many!
Comment by Queen Beth — June 9, 2006 @ June 9, 2006 at 6:20 am
NO! You had me at that fuzzy moment and then…. We just did the flu so I think I still have PTSD.
Comment by misha — June 9, 2006 @ June 9, 2006 at 7:16 am
That’s the way it goes…complete joy followed by unbelievable grossness and responsibility.
Comment by Vikki — June 9, 2006 @ June 9, 2006 at 7:19 am
Oh my gosh! That end surprised me into hysterical laughter. It intrigued my son who wants to see a picture.
I hope she feels better soon.
Comment by abc momma — June 9, 2006 @ June 9, 2006 at 8:26 am
Are you kidding? She really barfed?! Oh my dinah. Children.
Comment by Heather — June 9, 2006 @ June 9, 2006 at 8:39 am
Of course she did. It always happens when you are too tired to deal with it and least expecting it. OKay, maybe that’s just me. I hope you got some sleep.
Comment by carrien — June 9, 2006 @ June 9, 2006 at 8:44 am
hilarious!!
Mary
Comment by owlhaven — June 9, 2006 @ June 9, 2006 at 8:57 am
Classic!
Comment by Mary — June 9, 2006 @ June 9, 2006 at 10:54 am
Oh yeah. The phrase, “Hockanakiss?” pretty much gets my daughter a free get out of bed card every night. How do you say no to that?
Bummer about the barf.
Comment by Karen — June 9, 2006 @ June 9, 2006 at 12:01 pm
At least you where there with her for it… My daughters biggest barf was one of those nights when we had vowed not to go in. And she cried, and we didn’t. Then she fell back asleep. Then the next morning we went in and EW! At least you had a nice moment before the big clean-up effort!
Comment by Staci — June 9, 2006 @ June 9, 2006 at 1:49 pm
LOL..no wonder she wanted you in there for some luvin’ She wasn’t feeling well. Remember to disinfect the monitor too.
Comment by oshee — June 9, 2006 @ June 9, 2006 at 8:31 pm
oh man!!! figures!!!
Comment by hester — June 10, 2006 @ June 10, 2006 at 3:21 pm
Aw, it was such a tender moment - the little one knew just what she needed! Mom and dad at her side. No rest for the weary :>)
Comment by the Mater — June 11, 2006 @ June 11, 2006 at 9:03 am
My first visit to your site. What a darling name and banner you have. Very clever and nicely designed.
Cheers… P.S. I remember those days… when they hit the teenage years it is the same tiredness all over again.
Comment by H.A. Page — June 11, 2006 @ June 11, 2006 at 9:09 am
Will you hate me forever if I admit that I laughed…out loud?
Comment by Chris — June 12, 2006 @ June 12, 2006 at 9:40 am
ohhhh, sweet stinkiness…
hoping she and all of you are no longer ill today!
Comment by tam — June 12, 2006 @ June 12, 2006 at 1:51 pm