We only have one car. For the most part, this isn't really a problem. But now that we have Pepper, things are a bit more complicated. In order to get Husband to work and still arrange it so that I have the car all day, we all get up early and take him to work.
The first day we did this I decided to make the most of being out of the house by going to my favorite neighborhood cafe for some espresso and to read the paper. It felt so good to be out on the town with my baby. I was still significantly worried, however, about exposing my newborn to the public's germs. And, I think a substantial part of me was also worried that other people thought I was a bad mom for exposing my newborn to the outside world.
Nevertheless, I was thoroughly enjoying the experience of sitting in the cafe, reading my newspaper, drinking my latte, and rocking my baby. This lasted right up until I heard a woman ask another woman, "Is that a real skunk?" At that point, I looked up just in time to see a real live baby skunk peering out of the woman's handbag, about 4 feet away from me and my vulnerable baby.
What was I thinking? How could I take my baby out on the town without considering the possibility that people would bring their newly rescued baby skunks into the cafe with them. Just when I thought I had considered all the dangers the world presented, a woman takes her skunk out for coffee.
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After over five years of being heavily medicated for my bipolar illness, I am just crazy enough to go off the meds and try to conceive. With a whole team of professionals monitoring my progress and an amazingly compassionate husband to catch me when I fall, I am ready to start trying to get pregnant. This is my journey through the insane process...
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19 comments:
Man, you live in an interesting place.
LOL. Skunks actually make nice pets. I almost bought one once, but I don't think I'd care for the attention it would draw. I think taking Pepper out and about will help her build resistance to bad things, yes?
Jesus H Fucking Christ...And people say we're crazy?
Anyway, kudos to you for getting out and enjoying yourself. A little sunshine and cafe sound like something I could use.
Sounded completely normal until the skunk part. What the heck are people thinking? Bringing a skunk to coffee... do you think they take Splenda, or Sweet & Low? lol
You shouldn't worry too much about taking Pepper out, kids can't live ina bubble... no matter how much we would like them to.
That's crazy!!!
No worries about taking your baby out in public--if she's healthy, it's perfectly fine. I was hesitant with my first; my second was up and out all over town within 2 weeks of delivery. Every other mom of two or more does the same--the laterborn kids get carted all over for errands and their older siblings' playdates!
I'm glad you got out with Pepper. People might stare a little, but they are not judging... they are admiring your beautiful baby. The thing about the skunk is pretty funny, actually. I would find a purse dog out of place in a coffee shop, let alone a purse skunk.
hi. great post. i have extremely strong feelings about this. first off, bravo for you taking the baby outside. this is good to get used to and continue doing for your health and that of the baby's. fuck what anyone thinks or tells you. the baby is out of the womb and ready for life. whatever makes you feel good helps her. we took the baby out pretty quickly also and often. i remember taking her out with the dog at a young age and some bitch heard her crying and said, your baby is hungry. i had a million great replies later but at the time it was very bad for me as i was extremely sensitive about her weight and the breastfeeding and trying to be a "good cow" and feeling like i wasn't producing enough to fatten her up. the hormones and breastfeeding and postpartum make you very more sensitive than even when pregnant. also angrier and more protective of the baby.
but anyway, one sure way to protect against postpartum depression or at least lessen it, is make sure to get out everyday with the baby. get out of the house! it is so important. i remember early on sitting on the couch breastfeeding for hours and realizing i had not gotten up to pee or eat. it really is true what they say, take care of your needs and you will be better able to care for the baby!
ps. it is really true that guiness beer helps milk production and relaxes the mom! i had it almost every day with lunch while breastfeeding and it helped enormously. the weird thing was as soon as i had to stop breastfeeding i took a dislike to the taste of guiness...
That's hilarious. Did you tell her she was being a bad skunk mom for exposing her baby to the outside world?
I am a strong believer that you need to expose your kids to germs so they can built up resistance. i think your are doing just fine
I can't BELIEVE someone had a skunk in a cafe! You said it best--just when you think you've considered all of the dangers...
On the outings thing, though, early on I loved outings like that--and my theory on the germs is that, as long as their in their stroller/carseats/whatever and nobody is touching them and passing them around, you're good to go. :-)
OMG, you are not a bad mother to take your baby outside the house, this person is crazy to bring a baby skunk to a coffee shop
I agree with the bean-mom. If and when you have another baby you have to get out and about with your newborn in order to get stuff for your other child done. W and I were at the park for a playdate for A two weeks after she was born. This time of year really isn't bad for RSV or any other scary illnesses anyway.
A skunk? Weird.
Thanks for the update...I am glad to hear that all is well.
(Cracking up.)
In my part of the world, shotguns are the usual response to skunks. Because they're VARMINTS.
Too funny!
That's definitely an unusual problem.
I share a car with my brother, but our work schedules have mostly worked out to where we very rarely have to manage our time with it.
i do sometimes get the odd look for taking my baby everywhere (well not so much now that she's bigger), but i bet the skunk mom gets some serious stares!
I'm sorry. That sounds hilarious.
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