Monday, January 21, 2013

Oh, what a day.


Since I've had a child, I've realized something of the utmost importance:
What used to take me 15 minutes, now takes an hour and a half.

Allow me to elaborate. This morning my husband called. He's on a business trip in Las Vegas and needs me to overnight him a few things that he left behind. No big deal, normally. I decide to make an event out of it. Pack the baby up; head to the grocery store; grab a card and some valentine's candy to include in the package; oh, and walk to the store and the post office in an effort to increase my cardio. Clearly, I've thought of everything and am the world's greatest, most thoughtful partner. Check.

We arrive at the Post Office, proud and smiling.

Except, today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The Post Office is, in fact, closed. Excellent.

Trying to make the best of it, Kate and I head home for a quick lunch--and to investigate UPS and Fed Ex locations that are open nearby. We gobble up our food, gather up our gear, shlep our stuff to the Fed Ex place, and bring along a stuffed animal for Kate. As now it's 12:45 pm (15 minutes away from Kate's nap).

Against all odds, we get to the Fed Ex store and the child has not fallen asleep in the car. A victory! We pack up our supplies for Daddy. We make friends with the store clerk. I'm about to pat myself on the back for being the best mother (and wife) on the planet and I realize I've forgotten my phone... which has Chris' address at the hotel, among other important information that's necessary for mailing the package. Sigh.

We settle down, hold back tears, and manage to get back to the car to begin our journey home--knowing that we'll immediately turn around to go back to the store. This wouldn't be so annoying, except for the fact that we live in a condo complex with underground parking... meaning I cannot just leave Kate in the carseat while I run in and grab the phone. I have to unbuckle her, put her on my hip, run up two flights of stairs, unlock the door, find the phone, fill out the Fed Ex label, run down two flights of stairs, buckle Kate back up, and drive back to the Fed Ex store... only to unbuckle her and start the process over again.

But, long story short, we did it. My child was exhausted, shoeless, and meowing at the other customers in the store. And yet, the package got mailed (even though the clerk forgot to put the card in the box... but that was the least of our concerns).

Package mailed. Baby asleep at 2 pm. I've just decided we're eating out tonight.