You know you're a parent when...

You know you're a parent when your Valentine celebrations go something like this...

Saturday afternoon Jeff and I decided it may be a good idea to do our Valentine dinner before Tuesday to avoid bigger crowds. We decided we would just take Mason with us, after all, he is much more behaved than most kids at a restaurant. We got to one of our favorite places, Goodwood, (Yum!) and were met with the usual 30 minute wait... which for the Saturday before Valentine's was pretty great. Things were going pretty well. We got seated, ordered and kept Mason entertained with crayons and a cute little cowboy kids menu to color.
The food came out and looked delicious. For some reason Mason was being somewhat sluggish with his food though. He usually loves cheese quesadillas. We tried to get him to eat french fries, potato salad, small pieces of rib meat, diced tomatoes and bread but he just didn't seem to want much. Usually if he doesn't want something he just puts it back on his plate but not this time. He decided it would be better to just throw it on the floor or partially chew it and spit it in my hand. This was turning into quite a romantic dinner, I must say. Out of desperation I finally grabbed the dessert menu and asked the waitress to bring a slice of Texas Sheet cake. He would certainly eat this... what baby wouldn't?
After a few bites, he began taking ice cream out of his mouth and playing with it. We officially made the call that he just simply wasn't going to eat. He was acting out of sorts though too. Our well-behaved boy was doing opposite of his "norm". We just don't know how to react with a toddler who isn't being mellow. Jeff and I hurried to finish our food since Mason was now climbing out of his highchair yelling "Goodbye... See you soon" to everyone around us. I got on my knees to clean up what I could under his chair. We had certainly hoped for a more peaceful dining experience but I guess with kids you can't guarantee anything.
We decided to go for a short drive before heading home. We got on the freeway and headed north.  Mason began trying to fill his diaper. Then we came to the sudden realization that he had tried this earlier but had no luck. I started feeling bad that I hadn't gotten him some juice earlier to help out his poor tummy. I also felt bad that we kept trying to force food down him when he most likely didn't feel like eating with a plugged up system. I had been sitting there thinking how sorry I felt for myself not getting to enjoy our Valentine dinner and now was overcome by guilt that I had forgotten his little problem. It's funny how guilt can be so powerful.
Mason kept working on his diaper while we tried to decide where to stop. We had taken the Foothill exit with poor little Mason was almost in tears. Jeff remembered there was a Dan's market so we thought maybe getting out of the car and moving around a little would jump start his little system. We also planned on getting some prune juice which we knew would help. Just as we pulled in the parking lot we heard a noise. A noise that any parent would recognize without even having to look. Mason had been pushing so hard that it made him vomit. Luckily we were at a place where we could stop.... I was glad it wasn't on the freeway somewhere. I started to open my door to get out and was hit with the smell. I started gagging. Oh no, I thought, I have a full stomach and with this pregnancy smells are the worst. I was trying so hard to not have an issue myself so I could help our little guy. 'Okay, Megan, breathe through your mouth, breathe through your mouth' I had to get my breathing down before I could help him. Meanwhile, Mason is crying in the backseat and Jeff is making a mental list of things to grab in the store. I finally got myself under control and opened the back door. Wow, it didn't look as bad as I had thought. I began wiping his coat and car seat straps off with baby wipes. I took his coat off and there it was. It didn't look bad from the outside of the coat because it had all gone inside. His shirt was completely soaked. I stripped him down and tried to wipe things up as best as I could but Mason didn't want to sit there any longer so I had no choice but to pick him up and move him away from the mess. I carried him to the back of the Jeep and tried to keep him still. It was cold outside and his body was in a little bit of shock so he was shaking. I held him up against me, rubbing his back and arms until Jeff returned to help. He had gotten paper towels, water, more baby wipes and prune juice.
We had a blanket that we wrapped Mason in, and luckily, there was an outfit in the diaper bag that I hadn't taken out from the night before so we were able to get him cleaned up and at least dressed again. Jeff had him sit in the front seat to try to warm up (and give him a chance to finish his diaper problem) while I finished cleaning things up. Jeff had given Mason a few sips of prune juice but before it even had a chance to kick in, he was finally able to fill the diaper. Thank heavens. I have never been so grateful for a messy diaper. I took the garbage from the first issue to throw it away while Jeff dealt with the second issue. Finally, our little boy had some relief. It wasn't the way I saw our Valentine date going but I guess when you are a parent, that's just how it goes sometimes. We could finally head home. We decided to stop near our house to get some apple juice for Mason. As we pulled out of the gas station parking lot we could hear a high pitched squeaking sound. We realized it was definitely coming from our vehicle. Great! Just what we need. We got home and tried to see what was causing the noise which was coming from the front, right wheel area. It was too dark and we were too frazzled to deal with it. We went inside. I took a shower first then Mason took his second bath of the day. I realized that my feet and ankles were now the size of my calves. It felt like they would pop with a single step. Apparently I have reached the point in my pregnancy where water retention is inevitable. Jeff mentioned a smell coming from the kitchen sink and I remembered I had been soaking a bowl that I had apparently left sitting too long. I went to clean up that and bumped the bowl, spilling the contents all over the counter, under the toaster and microwave and onto the floor. Wow, could this night get any better!!! Jeff helped me clean up and we were finally able to sit on the couch to relax. Jeff, the incredible man that he is, massaged my legs, ankles and feet to relieve some of the swelling.
Well, it may not have been the most romantic Valentine's celebration but I certainly was reminded of why I love my husband so much. I don't know of many guys who would help out with things like he does. Even when I know he doesn't necessarily WANT to do things... he does and that shows me how much he loves me too. I am grateful that Mason is feeling better and back to normal. I am grateful for a wonderfully amazing husband who lives and breathes for his family. Thanks honey, Happy Valentine's Day.