Helping Hands

Several days before William's six month checkup, it snowed a foot and temperatures fell below 0 degrees. Ben was out of town for work. What timing!

On the morning of William's appointment, our friend, Jonathan, stopped by to say hi. Thank goodness he came by because my car wouldn't start. With limited options and time, we loaded William, his car seat, his car seat base, his diaper bag, and myself into Jonathan's sporty, fast car.

I laughed on our way to the appointment. Jonathan, a bachelor with no kids, was already complaining about how exhausted he was from climbing over mountains of snow to install the car base and load William and his car seat into the car.

He had no idea that was only the beginning.

We parked and then Jonathan lugged my 16 pound baby and his equally as heavy car seat across the parking garage and into the office. I loved the extra set of hands!

Jonathan planned to relax in the waiting room, enjoy the latest Highlights, and check out the hot nurses. Next time, buddy! Instead, he carried William down three hallways to the exam room. My back and arms really appreciated it.

Jonathan sat motionless, mute, and stone faced in his chair during the appointment. The nurse left and Jonathan said, "She probably thinks I'm the most disinterested dad ever."

She totally did.

The nurse returned to administer William's shots. Jonathan comforted William while I held his arms and the nurse pinned his legs. I warned Jonathan, but he still teared up when William screamed and cried.

We finished with the appointment, checked out, and schlepped to the car. I could hear Jonathan breathing heavily as he carried William in his car seat. We loaded back into the car and collapsed into silence.

Jonathan said, "I hiked 120 miles once, and this was more exhausting. I'm physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. I need a nap. I barely survived!"

Welcome to parenthood.