Feb. 14, 2000 - Monday
Harry's exuberance reached new heights this morning and it was memorable, but
not at all cute. His mother now leaves for work in the mornings fairly early
and likes to feed him twice before she goes. This morning, shortly after the
first feeding, it became audibly clear that Harry would need a change before
progressing to the second course. So, while mother was cleaning and getting
herself ready, I undertook the dirty work.
We've been in the nightly habit of moving our changing pad from its daytime
location downstairs to atop an old coffee table that sits beside our bed. We
actually haven't used it there much lately thanks to Harry's wonderful sleep
habits, but it seems prudent to continue the ritual in case of a less perfect
night. I got to bed fairly late last night and I was still resting when Harry's
time of need arrived, so, pleased at that moment with our habit, I took the
hand-off from his mother and placed Harry on the changing pad, positioning myself
on the side of the bed for the work.
Sure enough, Harry needed my attention and was quite obliging and good-natured
as usual for most of our session. In fact, he had a twinkle in his eye and the
grin on his face that he usually gets when I play vocal
games with him. I played along with vowel noises and he cooed back endearingly,
but in hindsight, I wonder if our boy isn't more clever than I've given him
credit. I now wonder whether he wasn't lulling me to distraction, awaiting his
moment. It came just as I was lifting him to position a fresh diaper and his
real fun began as the fountain of youth erupted. Fortunately for me, I always
lift his near leg and that pointed him slightly toward the wall. Unfortunately,
the wall is now a little worse for wear.
With the new diaper nearly in position at that moment of release, I disrupted
Harry in virtually no time. However, now I wonder if that was the right move
on my part. A nearby towel allowed me to minimize the residual effects of Harry's
new thrill and a call to Harry's mother for cleansing reinforcements seemed
to put all things in order. But, Harry still had the twinkle in his eye and
just as I positioned the second fresh diaper, in a near perfect instant replay,
Harry played the impish boy and got me again. This time in addition to the wall,
Harry's enthusiasm left hints of dampness on the changing pad, his own clothes,
and even a couple drops on the right side of Harry's face. Not to worry, Harry
didn't seem to mind, he was still having a grand time.
Luckily for me, I had grabbed generous pile of diapers the night before with
the changing pad, because the third time was no charm. Rather than redirecting
Harry's liquid missive into an absorbent diaper or towel, it seems I just put
a temporary brake on the process by covering him so quickly the first two times.
A second new diaper went the same way as the first and the wall, the changing
pad, and Harry's shirt were the mark once more. Finally, with not a piece of
dry cloth within arms reach I successfully tidied up Harry and the wall and
dressed Harry in a third fresh diaper. His mother was able to proceed with the
second feeding which featured a burp that demanded a fashion change on her part.
Unfortunately, with more feeding comes more diapers and just an hour or so later,
now downstairs with the changing pad, Harry went to work again between diapers.
There's no need to get overly graphic, but this time Harry's relief was of a
different nature and thankfully aimed more directly at the towel underneath
him.
If ever love is blind, this must be it. Harry is adorable. He is our son.
