I tell ya, parenting is not for wimps. Have I mentioned that before? Well, if so, it's more fitting now that Peter and I are in the throes (check out the definition as linked...perhaps a bit strong but relevant nonetheless) of the terrible twos, no doubt. First, let me say that Meghan's wedding yesterday was lovely. The bride, the bridesmaids, the church, the reception, the flowers, the food, the band...really, just lovely.
I had had serious doubts for weeks as to whether attempting to take Pierce to the wedding (during high naptime) would even work. He is not known to sit still for extended periods of time - much less in an unfamiliar setting. But I had a gameplan...and stuck to it. I successfully wore him out at the Zoo yesterday morning in order to provoke an early nap. All was working according to plan until the doorbell rang at 1:15 pm - a man selling security systems no less. I made sure he knew my son was asleep and said no thanks. Gah! I am wondering how I survived Pierce's infanthood without some sort of "do not disturb" sign on the front door for naptimes. Do normal people use those? Eh, who cares...maybe I need one. Anyway, we got dressed, grabbed the bag of "goodies" I had assembled in hopes of keeping him busy during the ceremony, and headed out to the church.
Peter and Pops were standing at the entrance to the church and witnessed Pierce's first act of protest, i.e. not willingly walking into the church, falling down on the floor and squirming around in opposition, etc. Peter wrestled him to the pew and then informed me of my two strategic get-away routes if necessary. We had a feeling I would need one of them. Sure enough, we didn't last more than 10 minutes (maybe 8) in the sanctuary, and I hightailed it outta there before the ceremony even started. I guess better then than during the vows. I was mad. Embarrassed. On the verge of tears. Knowing that everyone surely thought my child was just a monster incapable of being controlled by his own mother. Pretty humiliating.
Pierce and I had a nice "chat" in the car, and I called my Mom for moral support and texted sweet and always supportive friends Erin and Angela to vent while we waited for the ceremony to wrap up. I was worried I hadn't done enough to control him - and replayed the moments to myself wondering if a timeout outside would have worked with a subsequent re-entry into the church. Probably not. Wondering if I had upset my mother in law for being upset myself (on a special day no less). Probably so. Hoping I could gather myself and not mess up my makeup. Praying Peter wasn't mad at me for not seeming to do enough to calm Pierce down and keep him settled. Sad I had missed seeing Meghan walk down the aisle. After all, she and Marilyn are really my only "siblings" so to speak...and for that matter, two "siblings" I really don't spend enough time with and wish I knew better.
Fortunately, Peter wasn't angry and even thanked me for my efforts (words that really meant a lot at the time, as he is a man of few words unless you get him going about the oil and gas industry, the stock market, economics, golf, U of M sports, Greyhounds, politics, just to name a few.). When we arrived at the Dixon, Peter and Pops were waiting for us. I was glad to see them. Pierce grabbed Pops' finger and the two of them walked hand-in-hand to the reception site. A sweet moment...and one of the few pictures I happened to snap. Sadly, I didn't get any of the bride and groom, much less a decent one of Peter, Pierce, and me. But because we have nary a family photo in our collection I'm posting this one below for the record.
We had a wonderful, even if tiring, time watching Pierce explore the grounds, eat cake, blow bubbles, dance (he has a few sweet moves that I'm convinced he got from Peter), and clap and excitedly announce "yeah" at the end of songs. One of those moments meant for the video camera, which I didn't have. I'm quite sure the band appreciated it. And I'm even more certain that we worked off most of the yummy calories we ingested running around after Pierce for three hours. All in all, it was really lovely.
CONGRATULATIONS MEGHAN AND STEVE!
And my sincerest apologies for missing out on the ceremony. If there's anything I've learned (and still struggle with...a lot) in this world of parenting, it's that children come first, then self...and in this regard, parenting really and truly is not for wimps. I pray a lot for patience and humility and wisdom in raising our son and must continue to do so!
P.S. If any of you local parents out there are willing to share your babysitter with us, I will forever thank you. Pierce's Friday night gig while we were at the rehearsal dinner did not go well. (Sigh.)
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