Mommy Powers

You know that frazzled looking lady with all the kids at the store who has a purse and diaper bag slung over her shoulder, carrying a small child, kids' jackets and an armful of toys under her one arm while pushing the shopping cart with the other? Well, I never would have imagined it, but I've become her.

Of course, I don't know what possesses me to think that this time might be different because "the baby's had a nap and everybody's in a good mood today." But still, I am slow to learn.

Here is the natural progression of activities:

Drive to Target. Of course, Will is bored in the back so Marian entertains by singing her loudest, most annoying song. What's it called? I have no idea. She made it up as she went along. Something about sneaking out of the house to meet her boyfriend at the lake - I don't know. I'll worry about it when she's a teenager.

Everybody's happy.

Pull into Target. It's raining, so naturally the only parking spot I can find is two light-years from the store. So I cover Will up with his cozy (and wow, he's getting heavy), pull Marian to my side and make a run for it (well, more like a brisk walk - don't want to risk falling with the baby). Will giggles and Marian thinks it's so cool to race Mommy, who has a serious handicap carrying an extra 20 or so pounds.

We get inside, and Marian has to ride in the caddilac-version cart with deluxe seats for older kids in the rear. People really should be required to get a CDL license before being allowed to navigate one of these things.

Marian is actually being very patient, and asks to ride in the cart, or just walk beside it to talk to her brother. She's such a good kid. And being so cooperative!

Everybody's still happy. So far so good.

I get a few good minutes of shopping. Got the baby's diapers, got my cleaning supplies. Okay, we're doing well.

Marian has to pee. So we make it to the bathroom, but Will's getting bored. He starts to complain. I take him out of the cart and carry him. Now Marian needs help wiping (don't know why she still can't do this herself). So I put Will back in the cart and all hell breaks loose. He screams.

I finish helping Marian, wash my hands and help her wash hers. Pick up the baby again and instant relief. He's fine. In fact, he's so happy he laughs at himself in the mirror.
Exit bathroom. Back to shopping. Of course, Marian refuses to put her jacket back on after going to the bathroom, so I've got a baby in one hand,

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