The Ordeal

This is my first blog, ever. I've called it Life in the Slow Lane because that where I'm supposed to be right now - taking a break from the world of IT to stay home - but life is anything but slow with 3 kids!

Take last week for example.
I like to get out of the house at least once per day. Whether it's to a playgroup, a park or just a walk around the block. On this particular day, a walk seemed like a good idea. I decided to go to the corner store to pick up milk, etc. My 3 year-old wanted to take his motorized truck, which was great because it meant I wouldn't have to "drag" him - the store is a 15 minute walk. However, we made it to the end of the street when the batteries seemed to be dying. So we decided to go back home to get the wagon. Meanwhile, my 6 month-old baby was quite content in the stroller.
Once home, I noticed the bike trailer and thought that I could strap both kids into it and be on my way. All I had to do was remove it from my bike and attach the stroller handle. I didn't want to ride my bike because I don't have a helmet for the baby and the bike hasn't been tuned up this year. After a fight, I got the handle attached then pick up the bike, which had been knocked over some previous month and left on the floor. Darn! The trailer hitch is lodged between the bike wheel and the kick stand. Without another pair of hands, I can't get it out.
Ok. Well... we'll try the wagon. Maybe I can prop up the baby on my son's lap. Looks too precarious - she can sit up on her own, but could easily fall forward when we go over a bump.
The last straw - I'll try the stroller.
Now I wasn't timing myself, but it sure seemed like getting out of the driveway was taking forever! Of course, the car was sitting in the driveway, but I was determined to walk.
I squeezed my little boy into the back of the stroller. He was now getting tired and didn't want to walk, but was willing to have his sister in his lap. The baby was getting fussy, too. And we were on our way...
At the first hill, I was pushing the stroller and carrying the baby. By the time we were at the store, the baby was crying and I was realizing (finally) that I should've stayed closer to home.
We got through the store without incident and then I faced getting us back home. By now I was tempted to call my husband and ask him to pick us up, but I'm really stubborn... so I found a step and nursed the baby while trying to remain calm. My son was happy with his bubblegum so we took a time-out until everyone seemed happy again.
The walk back home was hurried as I verbally soothed the crying baby and the little boy sitting with the crying baby.
When we finally arrived and got in the door. I explained to my son that this was an "ordeal" so that if he ever heard that word again, he'd know what it meant. The rest of the day was spent taking deep breaths.

That afternoon made my days as a project manager seem like an afternoon nap. This is Life in the Slow Lane.