Humility
On Mondays and Fridays I’ve been watching Tuula for the morning while her papa goes to class. It’s been fine so far- occasionally I’ve got two babies that need something simultaneously, and that can be hard. Otherwise we play, they somehow both get fed- although I usually forget to- and all is well, if not a little messier than when I started. No big deal!
Today Tuula had more needs than I was accustomed to. It was a juggling act at times, but nothing I couldn’t handle. Then, right before her dad comes to get her, Vera started crying from her crib. She does this from time to time while she naps, she just needs the pacifier stuck back in her mouth and all is well. So I left Tuula in the kitchen with the toys and went and stuck it back in Vera’s mouth. When I came out there was water on the floor and toilet paper. WET toilet paper. Tuula had explored the toilet in the mere 20 seconds I was out of the room. This would’ve been gross regardless- but in our house we like to conserve water and so we let it “mellow”. GROSS. So I’m frantically cleaning all this up and taking off Tuula’s shirt when her dad walks in early. I have to sheepishly explain that I was only gone for a second and I’m so so sorry etc. I took off the rest of her clothes, cleaned her up in the sink and gave her back to her father in only a diaper. I COULD DIE. I called Gretchen and explained the situation right away, just so she could hear it from me first. She was great about it, but nothing can make the massive lump in my throat go away right now. I just keep thinking “If only I had shut the bathroom door!” OH SHOOT ME NOW.
I really think that, after I am done being mortified, I will be a better person. If there’s anything in this world meant to be a lesson in humility then this is it. Everything in my being wanted to place blame elsewhere, but it’s absolutely and completely my fault. I will never let her close to the toilet again. EVER. Until she’s actually using it for it’s intended purpose. This has to have happened to other people, right?
I’m just going to crawl into a hole now.
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i dont know if it is acceptable for me to be laughing at your humility…LOL I know with obeth how you must have felt because of his cleanliness. don’t worry we let it mellow too and have had a similar situation.
i used to get on isiah about shutting the lid now that eli is mobile (when our bathroom door handle was broken and we couldnt shut the door) so anyways i woudl always tell him he needed to put it down yadda yadda. then the ONE time i forget to put it down, eli found his way in there and he ate the toilet paper from the mellowing toilet bowl. YUCK YUCK!
be sure to forget this one so tuula doesnt have to be told when she is older.
Haha, ok, I’m glad I share this experience with someone. You’re lucky it was your own kid!
Forgetting…
I really do forgive you, and so does Obeth.
And you’re right, it’ll never happen again 🙂 and I feel better knowing that.
This is something we’re going to laugh hard about when Tuula is older…
Vera: “You’re groooossss Tuula.”
Tuula: “Am not. YOU’RE gross.”
Vera: “Oh yeah? Well at least I didn’t eat poop when I was a baby.”
Tuula: “Oh yeah? Well at least I didn’t (insert something Vera is sure to do sooner or later…)
I mean really, it could play out any number of ways.
Brilliant! There’s always a reason for these kinds of things. Thanks. 🙂
Don’t worry Grace. Shaun does this every time I turn away from him. (Kidding, but really, you’re too hard on yourself!)
Hahahahaha! You make me feel better.
When you’re watching someone else’s child, you should really try to pay attention. You can’t just half-ass things when it comes to a human life. Next time, try to be more careful. Hire someone to help YOU help THEM if needed.
You’re sweet.
Ohhh two kids is fun huh? This has definitely happened to me before and they sure weren’t my bebe’s! since i don’t have any. 🙂 Kids love to get into the toilet, don’t beat yourself up too much! its just all the more mortifying to have the parent walk in while you are still dealing with it huh? heh, jeez, kiddos sure are fun sometimes! and good thing urine is pretty dang harmless. 😉
I’m feeling better and better realizing that this happens to the best of us! Thanks.
You come outa that hole RIGHT NOW, ya hear me?
Yes Ma’am!!!!
tehehe ;-p
sorry but, LOL!
I won’t even go into all of Jonah’s mishaps, suffice it to say he has a goose egg on his forehead and will probably have a black eye tomorrow. Watching 2 is a big change, especially a newborn and a 1 yr old. You will look back at this and laugh VERY hard in a few months.
Oh and as far as the toilet – he’s gotten into that before too. i was in my bedroom and he wondered into the bathroom (that’s connected to the bedroom). I hear quiet… he’s dropping things in the toilet and he’s covered with water.