A few days ago the Boo and I made a (long overdue) visit to a friend with a new baby. I had primed him for the trip, saying we were going to Auntie Suzanne’s house to meet Baby Henry, who was brand new and tiny and cute, all concepts he understands. I asked what we would say to the baby; since “congratulations” was a bit of a mouthful we settled on “welcome” even though the kid was lobbying hard for “good morning.”
We arrived and visited for a bit, patting the two sweet house dogs and chatting before the baby woke up. When we went into the nursery, all attempts to get the Boo to look at the sweet sleeping child were met with requests to flip light switches or attempts take me out of the room by my finger.
I alternated between saying deep things about how tiny and cute the baby was and either deferring or granting my kid’s requests. When I was walking around with Henry in my arms, the Boo actually pulled (gently) on my outer wrist and said “down.” Using my Mama interpretive powers, I understood him to mean, “Put that kid down, there are more light switches I need to check out and I need your help to do it, lady.”
Even with the toddler juggling act, it was a sweet visit, bringing back memories of those love-struck early days when the simple enormity of the new baby routine made me feel both powerful and utterly stoned. I had wanted to go on my own, but having my kid with me felt good, too, even as I sheepishly plied him with chocolate chips to extend our time there.
Back at home, we settled into the late afternoon routine of play and mealtime. I was rinsing something at the sink when Boo piped up from his chair.
“Auntie Suzanne!”
“Yes, we went to Auntie’s house, that’s right. Who did we meet there?”
“Puppies!”
“That’s true, there were puppies. Who else did we see there?”
“Foxy!”
After a bit more prompting, he did acknowledge the existence of Baby Henry and noted that he had been sleeping. I hope they’ll be pals somewhere down the road, but right now, he only has eyes for Foxy.
Mama-Come-Lately 
Leave a Reply