Marshall Explores the Bookstore

Four months ago, we took Marshall to the bookstore for the first time. He enjoyed taking in the vibrant colours of the children's section. He was patient as Mama perused the aisles to pick out the right titles from the hundreds that lined the shelves. It was a great day.

With a morning to ourselves, I decided to pack up the kid and go back to the bookstore. We were on a mission to pick out a birthday gift for Marshall's friend, Annette. I had a feeling things would be a little different this time around since my guy is now two-footed, but I was so naive about the extent of how different it would be.

"Look where we are, Marshall!" I exclaimed as I pushed open the door to Indigo Books. Gosh, how I missed visiting the bookstore! Some girls like to ogle the counters at the jewellery store, others like to run their fingers across the fabrics at a clothing boutique. I like books. Scratch that. I love books. I love the crispness of rows upon rows of neatly lined books. I love the enticing display tables of deep-discounted titles and overpriced knick-knacks. And since having Marshall, I have fallen even more in love with the children's section of the bookstore.

I plucked off Marshall's winter hat, unzipped his coat and set his booted feet down on the floor. He looked up at me, a little unsure.

"Go on," I urged. "Have a look! We're at the bookstore!"

It didn't take long for Marshall to ditch the shy act. He bolted straight for the display of Hexbugs, grabbing them by the fistful. Oh boy.

"Come with Mama," I pleaded. "Let's go look at the books."

I began to scan the picture book spines, stopping occasionally to leaf through a title that caught my eye. "Check it out, Marshall: Bear in Underwear!" He laughed when I showed him the pretty illustrations. I shrieked when he lunged for a delicate page. Best to put that one back.

As I tucked the book back on the shelf, Marshall caught sight of Are You My Mother?, a favourite bedtime read at our house. He was over the moon. "Daaa!" he yelped, yanking a copy, then another, then another. "Daaaa, daaa, daaaaaaaa!" He couldn't believe it! He was surrounded by multiple copies of his beloved book!

"That's right, Marshall," I smiled, putting the titles back. "Book!" I grabbed a copy of Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb. "Why don't we get you a new one?" A young clerk walked past, smiling nervously at us as if to say, Cute kid... don't make me clean up after him.

I realized that I would spend more time scanning Marshall than the bookcases. I gently put back the occasional title that he grabbed with his nimble little hands. And then, a little boy, maybe three years old, walked over from out of nowhere.

"Boo!" he yelled.

Marshall looked up from his latest book-treasure, unimpressed.

The boy waited a moment and tried it again. "Booooo!" he repeated.

Marshall smiled politely, shyly.

The boy proceeded to pucker his lips and blow a light breeze through Marshall's wispy hair. OK, that was odd. I think Marshall thought so, too. Luckily, the boy's grandmother herded him back to the opposite area. I mimicked Marshall's polite smile, then looked around.

Where'd he go?

Marshall found a bin full of wooden rattles. He was throwing them one by one on the floor. I gathered them up and put them back. He ran over to a row of fabric books, which he removed off the shelf in one quick swoop. Ah, come on! I hurriedly put them back (I could feel the clerk's eyes burning into my back) and looked around.

Where'd he go?

Marshall wandered over to a table surrounded by children. They stopped what they were doing to watch him. He watched them. I gently grabbed his hand and we headed back to where we had come from. I snatched a children's album along the way, as well as a sweet gift for little Annette. The party is in a few days, so I can't say what I got. Although my two-year-old self would be MEGA jealous.

By then, Marshall had found the Hexbugs again. This was going downhill fast! I hoisted him up under one arm, secured my loot in the other, and proceeded to the cash register. The end was in sight! I set Marshall down to fish my wallet from out of my purse... and he made a run for it. Again.

Where'd he go?

"Excuse me," I said apologetically, handing over my debit card and jogging over to the front door. Baby was once again secure in my arms. As I was punching in my bank code, Marshall casually knocked over a copy of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo on display at the counter. I sighed and bent down to snatch it up.

"I guess he isn't a fan of the book," the cashier joked.

"Thank you," I replied, accepting my bag full of purchases. "I didn't think a trip to the bookstore would be this complicated."

I shuffled through the chilly parking lot and fastened the boy in his car seat. I popped in his new Raffi CD and groaned with exhaustion. I peered through my rear-view mirror. It looked as though I wasn't the only tired one. Marshall was gaping-mouthed passed out.

I sang along to "Banana Phone" on my own while looking back at my snoring little man. I had to admit that while it wasn't the smoothest outing, it definitely had its moments.

Regardless, next time, we're bringing Daddy, too. :)

Home Is Calling

Well, it didn’t last long. After close to three years of working from home (and delivering and raising a little boy), I returned to an office setting. Four months later, I quit!

I quit! I quit! I quit!

Both Jon and I work in the city. Marshall goes to day care down the street from our house. Our days consisted of flipping a coin to see who would rush out last-minute in the morning to drop off the baby at day care, fight hours of traffic, then work-work-work. Since I was only at the office three days a week, Jon would drop everything at 2:30 pm to beat traffic back to our neck of the woods and pick up the boy. I’d hurry in anytime between 6 and 7 pm, scarf down a meal, then get ready for Marshall’s bedtime routine.

What a life (or lack thereof)!

So, my man and I discussed things. It was time to come up with a scenario that worked better for our family. The solution: Mama’s taking another stab at freelance editing from the comfort of home. Time to snag a contract!

Things I can’t wait to do once I am working from home again:

• Taking Marshall to day care on foot. Heck, we’ll even bring the dog along!
• Being productive when there is a lull in the work day. Stir up some spaghetti sauce! Throw on a load of laundry! Catch an episode of Steven and Chris! Wait, what was that?
• Grocery shopping outside of peak hours.
• Bringing my little business back to life, like a tired plant.
• Remembering to water the plants.

I genuinely tip my hat to all working moms out there. Juggling a career and motherhood is one hell of a challenge. My hope is that I can make the experience a little more manageable by doing it all from one main headquarters.

Wish me luck.