Ms. Chatty’s first Tuesday at home.
"People who say they
sleep like a baby usually don't have one."
~ Leo J. Burke
My mom had been coming over every morning when Himself left for
work around 5 am to help me with the 3 kids for a week. She gave me extra time
to sleep in the morning and to take a shower. New mothers will understand that
last statement. Ms. Chatty had her days and nights mixed up. It had not been a
pleasant week. One day I told mom that she could sleep in and I would take care
of my brood until she arrived. Words I did not know I would live to regret so
soon.
I awakened at 5:15 am to Mr. Rational calling for me. I went into
his room and he was not in his crib. I quickly searched all over the duplex. I
could not find him. I could still hear him. I slowly followed his easy,
non-panicked calls of my name, ‘Mommy.’ The trail led back to his room. He had
hung from the back of his crib and dropped himself into his football shaped toy
box. He had landed buttocks first and was in a pike position. I rescued him
from his toy box and he was very thankful and then bounced away to the living
room without a care in the world. After about 5 minutes my heart rate returned
to normal. We were both now too awake to go back to bed.
At 7 am, Ms. Bunny skipped into the living room. She helped me make
breakfast by putting out the bowls and spoons and napkins. The three of us
dined on some variation of apple flavored circles and yogurt. Such a happy lot
we three were. At 8 am Ms. Chatty wanted up, and wanted up NOW! I went to her
and nursed her and then got her ready for a bath.
I had Ms. Chatty in the baby rocker-roo carrier on the floor.
Ms. Bunny was in the kitchen assisting me by telling me how to put the
water into the yellow baby bathtub and the correct temperature that the water
should be, and how high to fill it. Ms. Bunny had the definite markings
of the gift of an administrator at a very early age. She loved directing
people. And I must say, most of the time she really did have good ideas. Today
however, I was functioning on little sleep.
Mr. Rational was on the floor entertaining Ms. Chatty by rocking
her in the carrier. He gave her one powerful rock that set the carrier on end
with her dangling (not in danger at any time) with the seat belts holding her in
tightly. As I saw this I inadvertently tipped the baby bathtub and doused all
three children and the kitchen floor with every drop of the bathwater. I
quickly freed Ms. Chatty who was dripping wet, grabbed up Mr. Rational, who was
clearly in shock, with the other arm and Ms. Bunny proceeded to pretend to swim
on the kitchen floor.
At that very moment my mother walked in. She quickly
surveyed the situation and said, “Wow, Ms. Chatty’s hair really is curly when
wet!” She took the baby from my clutches and wrapped her in a fluffy towel,
gave Mr. Rational one towel of his own and told Ms. Bunny how proud she was of
her swim strokes. I literally broke down in tears. I had not slept in 24+
hours. She shooed me to my room to sleep and took care of my babies. I awoke 5
hours later feeling like a new person.
I thanked my mom once again and she told me that Ms. Chatty
probably thinks that is just what we do on Tuesday mornings at our house.
Romans 14:17-19
Common English
Bible (CEB)
17 God’s kingdom isn’t about eating food and drinking but about
righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever serves Christ this way pleases God and
gets human approval. 19 So let’s strive for the things that bring peace and the
things that build each other up.
Prayer Time
Peace, unto this house, I pray Hold
us together, gentle Lord,
Keep terror and despair away; Who sit about this humble board;
Shield it from the evil and let sin May we be spared the cruel fate
Never find lodging room within. Of
those whom hatreds separate;
May never in these walls be heard Here
let love bind us fast, that we
The hateful or accusing word. May know the joys of unity
Grant that its warm and mellow light Lord, this humble house we’d keep
May be to all a beacon bright, Sweet
with play and calm with sleep.
A flaming symbol that shall stir Help
us so that we may give
The beating pulse of him or her Beauty
to the lives we live.
Who finds this door and seems to say, Let Thy love and let Thy grace
“Here end the trials of the day.” Shine
upon our dwelling place.
From Collected Verse of
Edgar Guest
NY Buccaneer Books, 1976,
pg. 569
Copyright © 2015 Christine Osberghaus
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