Monday 6 April 2009

Using the Sofa

It started out like a normal Saturday.

Bimbo and I decided to do some window shopping. Bimbo loves taking Baby Girl out shopping, she can hook all of her shopping bags on the handles of the pram.

We've changed our usual routine. Bimbo and I used to spend hours trying on clothes in TopShop but now we stop, look and grab. Having a baby around expands the shopping world even further. We now spend time in every department at John Lewis, Women's Clothes and Shoes (for obvious reasons), Men's Clothes (gifts for Solicitor and Pierce), Home and Furniture (you never know what you'll find! It's like disneyland!), and the Children Section (for darling Baby Girl).

So, Bimbo and I were trying out Furniture at John Lewis (Bimbo was feeding Baby Girl her milk on one of the large sofas), when a sales guy decides to offer his advice.

Blah blah blah Money Back Guarantee blah blah blah Three Years Interest Free blah blah blah If you purchase today you'll receive Free Insurance

Bimbo stared up at him, her large blue eyes filling up with tears.

"I'm sorry, there's just nowhere to feed her!"

The sales guy stopped and stared.

"I can't buy the sofa!" Bimbo cried "That's what you want, don't you? You think I've used it don't you?"

I open my mouth.

And then shut it again.

The sales guy did the same.

"I'm sorry, I thought you needed help with buying." He stammered. He shot me a quick look of apology before practically running away.

I put a gentle arm around Bimbo and asked her what was wrong.

I'm used to Bimbo crying. She does it quite often when she's facing huge issues. Like the time that she had a sip of wine when she was pregnant and she thought she was a bad mother. And the time that she accidentally posted a letter without checking to see if she had the right amount of stamps on it.

"So... um... are you okay?"

"No I'm not!" She cried. The couple checking out the big red sofa looked up at us in surprise. They looked away swiftly and gave each other a look.

Bimbo carried on, oblivious to the attention that she's caught.

"I can't handle it. I've only shaved one leg and I can't sleep!"

Baby Girl choked on her milk and started wailing. A high pitched baby scream.

"Okay." I said quietly, taking Baby Girl into my arms. "It's okay. Let's go and... and... get out of here. Let's go get some coffee."

"I can't!" Bimbo whispered, tears running down her cheek. "I'm breast feeding. I'm not allowed coffee."

"Okay you can have hot chocolate." I said desperately. "You like hot chocolate."

Bimbo gulped. "Okay."

"Okay, good, lets go."


She can't sleep because she only shaved one leg??

We settled down in Costa with a Hot Chocolate and a Cappuccino. Bimbo's eyes had dried and she looked at me sheepishly.

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't handle it." She took a small sip of her drink and wiped the milk off of her lips with a napkin. "Baby Girl keeps me up all night. I can't even have a shower with the door closed anymore. I have to shave my legs in shifts. Every time she drifts off to sleep I can't sleep in case she stops breathing. I just can't, I just can't!"

Bimbo pulled the napkin to her eyes and began breathing jerkily. I reached out and gripped her hand.

"It's okay." I soothed. "It happens to all new parents. I'm sure Pierce's life has changed too."

"Yes but he goes to work. He only has a few hours of it." Bimbo's voice lowered dramatically. "I have to be awake all the time!"

"I'm home all the time. Just call me and I'll come over and help you." I smiled at her. "I'm here."

"I know." She blew her nose. "I was okay. Honestly I was fine. But now... What am I going to do with two?!"

I stared at her stunned.

"Oh my God! You're pregnant?"

Bimbo started crying... again.

"Yes. Pierce can't wait. He told me that the news has made him the happiest person."

I started laughing.

"Congratulations!"

Bimbo hiccuped.

"Th..thank you."

Solicitor was busy watching football on Sky Sports when I got home. I flopped down on the sofa with armfuls of shopping bags.

"Anything nice?" he asked absently.

"What's the score?" I asked in response.

He smiled and kissed my forehead.

"Bimbo's having another baby." I told him.

Solicitor paused. "That's good news." He said finally.

I nodded. "Yeah."

We watched the television for a few minutes.

"We should get our skates on if you want our kids to play with theirs." He said finally.

I laughed as he pulled me into his arms.

9 comments:

presious said...

Poor baby! I do remember those sensitive days! I am a grandmother now for the first time. My baby boy will be 6 months on the 10th of April. My daughter is still going to school and working at night. So, I am the one who pretty much has him most of the time.

Granted, I raised four of my own, and ran a daycare for 18 years, but that routine ain't no joke! LOL! I feel her pain. It has been a long, long time since I've been up all day and all night with a baby. I am older and it takes its toll.

She will definitely, absolutely be ok as time goes on and she adjusts to being a parent. There is no right or wrong to the children's schedule. She will learn to work with the baby's schedule.

When the baby sleeps, if she can, she should sleep as well. She can put the baby close by or in the bed with her so that if anything happens, she will be right there.

You are great to be there for her. It is a very trying time for a new mommie.

I will get better :)

Malach the Merciless said...

Poor Bimbo, not uncommon though. Tell her to stick with it, it get more fun.

linda said...

And that is why I have only one child.

Cocaine Princess said...

I haven't heard the word 'pram' in so long. Many English terms were still on my mom's tongue because she was educated in England in her late teens and for some reason she never got rid of them. When speaking English she spoke with a slight Spanish accent and used British terms.

Chocolates: Sweets,
Bag of Chips: Bag of Crisps
Sofa: Setee
Trunk Of A Car: Boot
Trash Can: Bin

Kitty said...

Awwww, congratulations to Bimbo and Pierce. Those early months (years) are tough - much tougher than you think they'll be ahead of it, but there are also happinesses; and it does get MUCH easier. When she's got two, they'll keep each other amused, and she won't have to do so much. Some of the time, anyway! x

Slyde said...

i can relate from experience that it certainly can put you gals thru the wringer...

Elise said...

Precious - I think Bimbo could really do with your advice!

Malach - She's hanging in there. Fun isn't her choice of word at the moment though...

Linda - Smart move. I don't think Bimbo planned the second though

Princess - We call chocolate chocolate here in England. We call candy sweets. But you're better than most with the English dictionary xx

Kitty - I do hope the two beautiful darlings keep each other amused.

Slyde - If the guys helped it would make things easier....

Tacha said...

Congrats to Bimbo. It is tough but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The first year with 2 so close together is the worst. You feel like jumping out the window every other minute. But now my two are "playing" together, itdoes get easier.

Bruce Johnson said...

That was pretty cute......and another reason why I don't really regret not having children.