Jim was back at work today after his rather extended paternity leave, so Theo and I were left to take on life's big challenges as a duo... challenges like a trip to Tesco!
You may recall my post in May where I explained the lengthy process by which my husband chose our pushchair? As it was very much his gadget, he has been in charge of it since, doing the complicated stuff like taking the wheels off (don't ask) and folding the hydraulic frame, while I loaded an unloaded the baby. So as today was our first trip out alone I left nothing to chance, performing an early morning familiarisation exercise with the Quinny on our driveway to ensure I knew how to fold and unfold the frame before we got to Tesco car park... There was no way I was going to be that sucker struggling with a pram in public!
Feeling suitably prepared we set off with a shopping list of 5 items - What could possibly go wrong! Theo was suitably bedazzled by Tesco and stayed quiet around the store, even sitting patiently through "an unexpected item in the bagging area" and something I was buying that required a member of staff to verify I was over 25!? Slightly mistifying as the sum total of my basket was...
(a) live yeast
(b) sunflowers
(c) a baby sleeping bag
(d) series 7 of House on DVD
(e) a jam doughnut
We paid, we left, Theo was still quiet, we had achieved! We got back to the car and I realised I hadn't practiced everything... I had absolutely no idea how to remove the carseat from the Quinny frame once it was attached. I pressed every button I could find, at one point nearly triggering the hydraulic collapsing mechanism with the carseat and the baby still attached. At this point, Theo quite rightly decided to protest (or perhaps call for help?!) ensuring not only was I performing a public display of I'm-a-new-mum-who-can't-fold-the-pushchair, but that everyone in earshot was now watching.
After 10 minutes of faffing, and just as I was seriously considering leaving the car at Tesco and pushing the steadfastly linked trio of carseat, Quinny and Theo home, I somehow pressed the right combination of buttons and released the seat.
Thank heavens I had the doughnut to calm my nerves when we made it home!
awww poor you! Soon you will be doing it one handed with your eyes closed x
ReplyDeleteOh Clare, I'm still wiping tears from my eyes! Laughter tears of course - though, not laughing at you, but in the absolute vividness of your writing and the memories it summoned of my own new-mum mishaps! Thank goodness for donuts - and that Theo will not remember the story to tell to his mates :) Happy days, I feel so priveledged that you are sharing your journey with us.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Oh my word! I know that feeling, though it's 15 years behind me now. I think I just woke up my "baby" laughing so loudly at this. All's well that ends well! Wonder if she went back to sleep so I can tiptoe to the kitchen to see if I have anything to satisfy my sudden donut craving...
ReplyDeleteWe've all been there one way or another.
ReplyDeleteIn my day the most tricky contraption was a basic McLaren buggy. I had to wait until I was a grandmother of 60 before I found myself in the same position as you. It's no less embarrassing but just as funny in retrospect. No 2 is due shortly so at least I'll know how to do it properly this time.
Helen in France
Very brave Clare. Probably the DVD that needed ID. We bought the borrowers the other day and they had to confirm our age on the till before they could continue lol x
ReplyDeleteoooh my. that is a face to launch a thousand ovaries...
ReplyDeleteHiya 'nother Scottish mama. Not sure how I missed your blog before but I will be back-reading at once lol. Many congratulation on the birth of little Theo.
ReplyDeleteV
xxx
I can assure you that grandmothers have the same problem with these new fangled contraptions!
ReplyDeleteI have been MIA for quite a while and just now getting around to reading my favorite blogs. Your pictures of angel boy are absolutely beautiful. I've decided I need to have a frank talk with either my son or my daughter about making me another grandbaby pronto! I feel the desperate urge to kiss little cheeks, sniff baby powder, and pat a little one to sleep. :)
Show me a Mum that hasn't had this little scenario while out in public - I even had it while trying to erect the stroller to put our second newborn in.....with absolutely no excuse as it was the very same stroller that I had only just stopped using for our 3 year old firstborn!!!
ReplyDeleteThis brings back memories, and given that baby equipment is even more complex now than when my 20 and 18 year old were small I do sympathise.
ReplyDeleteI know the Elgin Tesco car park well, so could picture the scene! (Went to school in Elgin, and hope to move up from the south of Scotland to nearby before too long!)