“Vee cole, vee cole,” Claire said repeatedly.
Translation: "Feet cold".
My poor little baby had cold feet for the first time in her life. Actually, I think it was her first experience with cold, in general. It isn't hyperbole to say that it took me an hour to warm up those little piggies. I rubbed and rubbed each tiny, icy foot over and over again -- like I thought a genie would come out of one of them, if I kept at it long enough.
I don't know who was more traumatized, her or me. Actually, I take that back. It was me. You see my husband, George, had taken her for an impromptu THREE hour trip to the zoo in FORTY degree weather wearing ONLY canvas sneakers!
Really, I was mortified.
I considered being mad along with mortified. But I’m trying to be more philosophical since having a kid. I can definitely cut him some slack this time too. First of all, how great is it that Claire and her papa went to the zoo together? Second, George doesn't mean to be reckless. He’s barely used to being married, let alone having a child. There's a learning curve to fatherhood, just like anything else.
Same goes for motherhood. While I'm a stickler for schedules and routines, George would probably say I'm an old stick in the mud. He puts up with my neurotic need to make sure she eats on time, always has a nap at the appointed hour and that she's never, ever cold.
In other words, that Claire has a boring mommy, who doesn't know the meaning of the word "spontaneous" and never does anything fun with her daughter.
I'm the yin to George's yang, the traditional to his non-traditional. We compliment each other nicely. So Claire can go on adventures and explore with her papa, and, then, come home to the warmth and security of her mama.
(In the future, I will just have to be more careful that I supervise my husband's sartorial choices for our daughter more closely. In truth, I could learn to lighten up a bit too. But don't let my husband in on this confession, please.)
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Reblog from Claire's baby days for Finish The Sentence Friday, "We can either be traditional or non-traditional..."
My husband fight battles like these ALL. THE. TIME. In the moment i will wig out and even if I ask myself "Is this really a big deal" I think "YES IT IS" while the next day I think "I shouldn't have given him such a hassle." It's hard to let go of control. And no, I won't tell your husband what I said:)
ReplyDeleteThis was beautiful as always. I noticed this time that I sort of hold my breath as I read your posts, it's a good thing. :)
ReplyDeleteOMG I love this so much. I feel the same way about being contradictory parents, although I wonder at times whether I am the one who is the spontaneous one. I mean, I am because my husband is SUCH a rule follower that he annoys me with his lack of spontaneity. Still, I remain the foot warming one...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story! And I think it's all part of the plan to have parents who are opposites, so kids get to experience everything and then choose who THEY want to be.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain. My husband likes to dress my child in shorts and t-shirts when it's 40 degrees out. However, my child also discovered that when daddy dresses her, she suffers. She has yet to complain about any outfit choices I pick out now. Win for mommy! Great post, loved it.
ReplyDeleteAw to the cold feet. My husband let our youngest run through a water fountain at the end of summer while my daughter and I waited for a roller coaster. He was soaked and FREEZING by the time we got back (and very happy)! I had a change of clothes, I could have let it go, but I didn't, I snapped at him (my husband). I usually don't. I wish I hadn't, it sapped the fun right out of there outing. :( Ah well, it happens, We can't be nice all of the time. Your George is a lucky husband. :)
ReplyDeleteI mean, 'their' outing. *sigh* I hate when I correct my typos, but I cannot help myself, Rachel. ;)
DeleteOh, Rachel, this is both amusing and painfully relatable to me. I wish I could just reign myself in more (sometimes I succeed) but it physically pains me when I feel our plans and styles are so out of sync. We too complement one another, and I try to remember the beauty and value of that. :)
ReplyDeleteI can totally relate to this… I'm trying to change a bit, though. The best I've gotten is to be obsessively planned and prepped before we leave, and then throwing it out the window once we're on the road, to follow our whims. =)
ReplyDeleteopposites attract so am glad you found your yin :)
ReplyDeleteMoms and Dads can be so different when it comes to "care." My husband is amazing with our kids. I mean knock-your-socks-off amazing. But he has brought one or all of his children home at one time or another with purple lips, almost frost-bitten skin and a whole host of other physical discomforts that I could NEVER have tolerated under my watch. Did I mention that he is a Pediatric ER doc? But he's a dad. He is WAY more fun and has a lot more patience than me, but the little physical comforts are lost on him. Dads...
ReplyDeleteLove this story! My husband is much more relaxed and extroverted than I. I guess we balance each other out pretty well!
ReplyDeleteLOL! That is so funny! I am so the same way, I know I shouldn't discourage Kim and Isaiah having outings, but I always have to say, does he have a hat? Do you have the epi-pens? Your Wallet? Your Cell phone?? I know they have fun, but when it's 20 degrees and they're in the snow for hours... I prefer cuddling with a book and some cocoa!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I are a lot alike, but we're different, too. Usually what we get from people is "How the hell does he put UP with you??" I kind of think your scenario sounds sweeter. Haha
ReplyDeleteseems so true .. !
ReplyDeleteYup, my husband is also more relaxed about things. In fact, he's dressed my kids in PJs before thinking they were real clothes because they "looked like real clothes."
ReplyDeleteHa! My husband has done the same thing!:D LOL
Deletei think it's perfect when parents balance each other out. it'll add to clare's character. wouldn't be the same if she were raised by a mom and dad who were totally on the same page about parenting and thought similarly.
ReplyDeleteHah, a good balance for a well-rounded daughter :)
ReplyDelete