All Alone in a Crowded Room...

This past Memorial Day weekend, I told my mother that I'm taking a hiatus from family functions. I told her this while I was wiping pureed carrots from my leg...the floor...the highchair...the china cabinet...I told her this while 10 other people blissfully covered in barbeque sauce enjoyed their ribs (hot), corn on the cob (hot) and beer (cold). Eventually I was able to return to my plate, and finished my ribs (cold), corn (cold) and beer (warm).

I used to think that I was unable to enjoy the gatherings of friends and families if they were either at a home that was not quite ready for a destructive toddler, or perhaps it was if I was single-mom-ing it that day. But no. My mom has toys, a high chair, and most valuables out of reach. No, Jeff was there (among the blissful). No, I think it's just these wonderful toddler years that make it impossible for me to relax and enjoy myself when we gather together.

I don't want to make it seem like Will is naughty. He's not naughty to be naughty (well, not all the time). But he is at that horribly curious, energetic, on-the-go-wanna-touch it-eat it-climb on it-stage. He's too stranger-shy to be wrangled--I mean, entertained--by anyone but Jeff and I right now. He still can't walk, so he's frustrated all the time, and generally gets that frustration out by climbing on things he shouldn't or grabbing for things he can't have or eating things that just may kill him.

When Jeff joins me, I do get the occasional break--he's great at chasing him around for awhile, but when I'm flying solo, there's just no way I can do it anymore. Unless I'm in a padded room.