Like Mother, Like Daughter
Yesterday we took the kids to Az the Husband’s company picnic. It was a relaxed gathering, folks milling around with hamburgers, children playing in the sand of the volleyball court or soaking themselves with waterballoons filled in a nearby pump.
I had been a bit nervous about going. I have never been to any company event before, even though Az has worked there eleven years, and meeting people for the first time in any condition is a little disheartening. It only gets worse when I am the size of the Titanic. But everyone was quite nice, and our girls took the spotlight, so it hardly mattered.
Baby PoppySeed is 16-months old now, and she finally started to walk on her own this week. Barefooted, in a pink gingham dress and plaid pink hat, she wowed the crowd with her careful, both-hands-free toddle back and forth between the picnic tables. She grinned at herself. She gabbled. She scammed watermelon off of kindhearted women. Her confidence increased and she walked faster and ranged further.
She was a party success and she knew it.
Then, just as every adult eye was on her and she cockily stepped toward me for a bashful-for-show snuggle, her little bare foot tripped, and she crashed head first into the bench of the picnic table.
Her head CLONKED hard and she began to scream.
Then we really were the focus of the picnic. Adults groaned, then stared, then tried NOT to stare as a purplish lump grew on PoppySeed’s forehead. I rocked and patted and soothed and (it’s who I am) chuckled. Babies in great dramatic distress from troubles of their own making always strike me as kinda funny. I can’t help it.
She was fine, of course. She calmed down eventually and clung to me until she felt secure again. I enjoyed the extra cuddling. I and the mother next to me exchanged stories of Childhood Head Injuries We Have Known. PoppySeed began walking again and all was right with the world.
But as a thirty-six-year-old woman with questionable social skills, I recalled all the times I have felt successful at social gatherings only to have it come crashing down around me, dramatically and publicly, and I wanted to whisper to my sweet baby, “Get used to it, kid.”
She does have my genes, after all.
Beck
You and me both, baby.
As someone who is a complete and utter goof, socially, I was fully prepared to have three socially ackward children. Nothing quite prepared me for having two (so far) who are quite popular and comfortable socially. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?
Kelly @ Love Well
I was chuckling — out loud — by the end of this post. You painted the picture perfectly, Veronica.
Sue
YES. I wish I would just learn to stop talking when things are going well. You know - I’m having a good time, people are laughing, we’re bonding - THAT IS WHEN I SHOULD LEAVE. But no, I always wait till later, until I’ve gotten overconfident and silly and said something both inappropriate and embarrassing. I like to leave on THAT note.
Veronica Mitchell
But Sue, your social catastrophes - or at least the way you write about them - are so hilarious to the rest of us that I can’t help hoping they continue.
Mrs Lemon
poor thing! Yeah, I need to warn my baby boy about that two left feet thing he is certain to inherit from me and Mr Lemon.
Razzler
Ooh, so true. The picture is spot on. As well as wincing for your little girl I was also wincing a little bit for myself and all my social falling-over events.
Alison
I’ve learned to overcome any social anxiety by reminding myself that people won’t be noticing me; they’ll be focusing on my children. Miss P has no problem making and keeping friends; I hope she keeps that gift.
Julie
Oh ha ha, me too! Me most definitely too. And I would have been chuckling also.
Octamom
Poor thing! And, yeah, got some social event stories to match!
7 & 8 of 8 are taking their sweet time walking as well–15 months old and just kinda letting go–they may be waiting for some business event!
Blessings!
crazymumma
Those screaming head injuries? ONLY happen in public.
Tonggu Momma
They DO only happen in public!
Well… except for that time I accidentally dropped the Tongginator on her head. She was about 13 months old and I was a brand-new momma. I wish I could say I never did that again, but, alas, no. Fortunately children don’t remember that far back.
I felt sure God would gift me with a socially inept child so that we could live life together, bonding through our awkwardness. Again I say alas. The Tongginator is a complete social butterfly.
jennifer tillman
very funny!
I feel for you…being preggo in the summer is so hard! I’m pregnant with my second too. I’m looking forward to reading about how your oldest adjusts to her new life as a big sister. Keep us updated!
Courageous Grace
I haven’t yet had the chance to experience the public screaming head injury with my son…but he was trying to stand this morning and got a bit overbalanced. Fell down and instead of sitting when he fell like he normally does, he goes sideways and smacks his head on one of his blocks.
This is about five minutes after the “trauma” of watching Daddy leave for work. Lots of cuddles and pats followed. Ah, life at the curious age of seven months.
chaotic joy
Hee hee. I regularly rely on my children’s adorableness to save me in social gatherings. This has really been hurt by my youngest’s inclinations towards shrieking at people rather than flirting with them. GLad the baby is OK. I hope the next baby (Cordelia? Bianca?) arrives in time to save you from any more summer heat and Az from Pauly Shore.