Mommy gets schooled on naptime

We explored a local park that we thought was stroller-friendly, but it was actually quite bumpy and gravely. Since it was another unusually pleasant day in November, Mommy decided we should take full advantage of it (and still run errands to pick up milk and groceries afterwards). Boy, was that a mistake! First, we got to the farthest point on the trail from the car, watched some birds, and then turned around to come back, at which point the little guy decided he'd had enough of the stroller and would prefer to be carried, thank you very much! And, no, not in the baby carrier, but rather on Mommy's hip. However, when we would pass strangers on the trail (one hand holding the fussy baby, the other pushing the empty stroller over potholes), he would stop screaming and smile and laugh as the strangers talked to him. Yup, another incompetent mommy moment!

Fearing the Huz's reaction when he found out I decided to go for a long walk in the park instead of going to the grocery store, I decided we'd still stop for milk on the way home. Mistake #2. By the time we got home, it was well past his normal naptime and Mr. Fussypants came out in full force. What happened to our newborn who would sleep anywhere, anytime, as long as he was fed, changed, and in our arms? Apparently the other moms who rush out of playgroup when the clock strikes the magic hour are not, in fact, running home to watch Oprah. They just know they'd better make it home before it's too late! Lesson learned, yes. Though, probably not the last time I will learn that lesson.