Just two tired boys getting their weekend fill

Karen and I wanted to take Rich someplace where he could run around this morning. We picked the mall, which is huge, and we strolled around to a few shops briefly before heading to the mall's play area. ON OUR WAY TO THE PLAY AREA, Rich fell asleep. We were seriously 100 feet away (maybe yards, because it really is a massive mall) when we noticed his head was leaning to the side and his eyes were closed. Defeated in our attempts to let him have some play time, we went shopping instead. For him. Because that’s what good parents do when they take their son to the mall too close to nap time. We ended up finding some great shirts and shorts for him at Crazy 8, so it worked out for the best.

The goal was for me to study for FM the whole afternoon while Karen watched Rich. Karen got a grocery list ready after we got back from the mall while I let Rich sit in my lap and watch some Baby Einstein videos. And I fell asleep! For maybe 10 minutes, so it wasn’t a big deal, but when I woke up he was lounging against me, head resting on my chest, as he watched his show. I only really woke up because the episode ended and he said “uh-oh, uh-oh” over and over again. It was really nice having him lie there on me in the office chair in our bedroom. He was very quiet and he let me sleep (for the most part).

Richie's accidental gift

Rich and I have spent a lot of time together these past several days. This evening, we played a game we haven’t in a while. Rich sat atop my bed as I crawled all around it very quickly and had him chase me and try to find me. He loves this game, and he laughs a lot whenever we play it.

But I suddenly remembered why we don’t play it very often when Rich accidentally crawled too fast and too far and went over the bed and landed on his head. He was probably more startled than anything, but he quickly began to wail. Can you imagine that? You’re having the time of your life, not a care in the world, when very suddenly you’re terrified and hurt.

Rich wanted to be held, of course. Karen arrived on the scene quickly, but I picked him up and held him right away. When Karen offered to take him, he just stayed with me and rested his head. The wailing calmed to a cry and the crying stopped a little later when Karen turned on an episode of Baby Einstein on my desk. I sat down in my office chair and held him, his head still resting on my chest. I sat there with him lying on me for twenty or thirty minutes. I think the last time he was that still and let me hold him for that long was probably before he could crawl. It was absolutely the greatest gift this Thanksgiving break.

Thanks, Karen, for sharing this picture.