This weekend, Rich and I proudly brought Declan to Kansas City to meet some of Rich's best college friends. They were at a wedding that we didn't go to, so we only had a few hours to see one another. I was really touched when Rich told me that they were excited to meet Declan and wanted to make sure we could see each other even though Rich and I weren't going to the wedding. So, on Saturday, we put Declan in a great outfit, packed up all the toys and gear necessary for a visit, and took off for the Embassy Suites on the Plaza.
Whenever I go somewhere, I have a mental image in my head of what it might be like. Usually this isn't far off, but sometimes it differs greatly with reality. This was one of those times. As you all know, Declan is a crawling, pulling up, and cruising fanatic who loves to explore. I was thinking that an Embassy Suite would work out great and had envisioned little Declan exploring the room, being held by everyone, and doing all those little funny things babies do. Except I forgot that this was a male-driven outing. I don't know about you, but my husband, for all of his strengths, is not a detailed organizer. He's likely to accept what is put out instead of lobby for his way. Especially with his friends. So I heard and envisioned Embassy Suites while Rich envisioned the lobby bar at Embassy Suites, but no details were discussed, so we were given another reality altogether.
Whenever I go somewhere, I have a mental image in my head of what it might be like. Usually this isn't far off, but sometimes it differs greatly with reality. This was one of those times. As you all know, Declan is a crawling, pulling up, and cruising fanatic who loves to explore. I was thinking that an Embassy Suite would work out great and had envisioned little Declan exploring the room, being held by everyone, and doing all those little funny things babies do. Except I forgot that this was a male-driven outing. I don't know about you, but my husband, for all of his strengths, is not a detailed organizer. He's likely to accept what is put out instead of lobby for his way. Especially with his friends. So I heard and envisioned Embassy Suites while Rich envisioned the lobby bar at Embassy Suites, but no details were discussed, so we were given another reality altogether.
After we arrived at the hotel, the group told us that we were going to Charlie Hooper's. Which is a bar. Without windows. Or high chairs. Or a clean floor. Or ample lighting. Not even the door has a window. This is probably the worst place for a baby in the KC area. The guys were all drinking in between the wedding and the reception, which is what they've always done. And we were just going to go right along. Just with an infant. The line from Sweet Home Alabama just kept going through my mind, on a loop. "You have a baby! In a bar." Right before the girl starts talking about the Jacklyn Smith Collection from Kmart. But this was not my field trip, so I played along. Outside of my inner protests, everything went okay for about five whole minutes. But when Declan, who had about the same opinion of the whole baby in the bar thing as me, started howling, I eagerly threw him into the Baby Bjorn and walked around outside. Except it was 30 degrees. And Declan was throwing a baby fit.
So I went in and out of the three stores on the street. At Tuesday Morning, I created an enemy when I was looking at coffee pots (I needed one, so why not take a shopping opportunity?) while she was looking in the same section. After a few sideways glances at me and my red-faced baby she retreated to the housewares section. Maybe she was just eyeing the same pot, but it also could have been the Mariah Carey-like high notes coming out of Declan's mouth. Who knows? I think she might have complained to the manager. Whatever. I had bigger issues.
So I went in and out of the three stores on the street. At Tuesday Morning, I created an enemy when I was looking at coffee pots (I needed one, so why not take a shopping opportunity?) while she was looking in the same section. After a few sideways glances at me and my red-faced baby she retreated to the housewares section. Maybe she was just eyeing the same pot, but it also could have been the Mariah Carey-like high notes coming out of Declan's mouth. Who knows? I think she might have complained to the manager. Whatever. I had bigger issues.
When it was obvious to me that I could 1. Not rejoin my husband and the merry drinking men and 2. not walk around and shop with my little one. I did the only thing I could do: I put him in the car and spent the next hour driving around Brookside. I sang along to the radio and looked at the beautiful houses, and Declan fell asleep. It was definitely one of those days.
Here's the kicker though. Declan usually eats at 5:00. We were on our way home from Kansas City around that time, so I decided that we should stop for dinner instead of enduring more cries on our long ride home. So we stopped, and the most amazing thing happened when Declan got out of the car. He got into his high chair, and grinned at me. Then he spent dinner alternating between stuffing grilled cheese in his mouth (not whole grain, not organic...don't judge me, we had a hard day) and turning around to the family behind us and grinning at their daughter. It was his first flirt. I think he was so relieved to be back in a familiar setting that he decided to reward us with some sweetness. Kids. Just when you think you've got them figured out...
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