See this seemingly harmless face? How can something so cute cause so much trouble?
Right after I took this photo - and I do mean immediately - Baby Bug started coughing . . . and coughing . . . and coughing. I’ve seen this many times before so I knew what was about to happen. I threw the camera in the direction of the diaper bag, sprinted over to her, grab her around the waist with one arm, and placed my other hand over her mouth.
I was too late.
All of a sudden, kids who were happily playing were now screaming and running in the opposite direction. Parents were either restraining their children or packing them up to leave. Girlie Girl had picked up the camera and was now taking photos of our embarrassing situation. I was trying to get Baby Bug to sit still so I could clean everything up while trying not to act like I was dying of embarrassment.
But what do I clean up first? Do I try to erase all signs of contamination on the playground while Baby Bug runs around in her soaked clothes? Do I try to wipe up Baby Bug first before she starts rolling around on the vinyl benches? Or do I yell at Girlie Girl to STOP.TAKING.PICTURES!
I decided to clean up the mess first in hopes of salvaging some of my pride. However, once I used my Huggies Wipes, I now had to find something to dry the area. I was afraid that someone would slip and fall. Unfortunately, the only thing I had was Baby’s Bug’s extra clothes which I stowed in the diaper bag before we left home. I had no choice.
I used her clean clothes to wipe up the area, took off her dirty ones, wrapped her in a blanket, informed Security what had happened, then headed for the nearest exit.
Our day of shopping was over.
Spotlight Comment from Lucy of Free From:
Ha - happens to us all! Mothers have to abandon all pride.
My daughter once threw up in a double-buggy we were testing at a fancy department store. The staff didn’t help at all, but the other parents around did. I owe them - I’ll always offer to help if I see someone in dire straits like that, because I know just what it is like!
48 Comments on “From Smiles to Utter Chaos”
7:45 am
Wow the perils of being a mom. I totally salute you! *bows*
yoshi’s last blog post..Don’t drink the water
9:00 am
Oh no!! Hope all is well now!
Steph
Adventures In Babywearing’s last blog post..I Want My Hour Back
11:38 am
My daughter in law had a similar “event” a few months ago with my 2 year old grand daughter except for one thing, it was the other end. You, I promise, will look back one day and laugh.
Cathi’s last blog post..Photo Hunt - Different
11:50 am
What a difficult situation! Shame on the other moms for not offering to help by bringing you napkins or some such!
Melissa Markham’s last blog post..Window Coverings
12:12 pm
Oh no!! Why didn’t anyone offer to help you? I sure would have!
I remember a few years ago when we were out of town for a funeral, my son (then 3) became ill in the hotel lobby. The manager helped us right away, told us not to worry about anything. She even washed my son’s blankie and brought ginger ale and crackers to our room.
Oh, your poor little one. I do hope she is okay.
Lis Garrett’s last blog post..The Mind of An Eight Year Old
12:18 pm
How did you not end up puking yourself? I know I would have!!! The funny thing is that we all go through this with our children. I’ve had to clean up explosive poops in public and that is just not fun.
Jacki’s last blog post..Happy Birthday to Lea
1:09 pm
Oh no! I hate it when that happens!! Hope she is ok poor little thing.
Rosie’s last blog post..Make Me Laugh Monday!
2:04 pm
I am soo sorry! That sounds like my weekend with Turkey Butt and potty training but it was the other end. Let me just tell you that I would rather celan from the mouth any day!
kellys’s last blog post..Why spend or save money for the long haul
2:14 pm
That’s so funny! But not! I can only say this because I was your little girl many, many times as a child! I threw up everywhere! I am just waiting for one of my kids to do the same thing (karma)!!
Kristen’s last blog post..Inquiring minds want to know…
2:22 pm
You are the exception to the rule.
So many parents would just grab kids - and leave.
I was shopping in a book store at christmas and noticed a woman and toddler close by.
She made some kind of a gasp - grabbed the kid - and ran.
When I got closer to where they were recently shopping I realized there was poop all over the books.
The child had filled diaper, reached in and painted.
She didn’t even tell the clerks. I had to go get the clerks.
2:27 pm
So. Sorry.
That is why Mom’s should get a medal.
(And maybe complimentary gift cards to Old Navy to buy some new clothes when stunts like this are pulled.)
Kelly @ Love Well’s last blog post..Mom Against the World
2:39 pm
I guess you can see you are not alone! I bet you see a lot of that on the airlines, too. I’m sure plenty of kids get airsick. Adults, too, and that would be more embarassing, lol.
Qtpies7~’s last blog post..Speech Meet
2:40 pm
I am waiting for my own kids to do this! I threw up at the drop of a hat when I was little!
Kristen’s last blog post..Inquiring minds want to know…
3:10 pm
I’m so sorry!!! I had one of my boys throw up in a grocery store one time… we didn’t have our diaper bag or anything… just had to wait for someone to come clean it up :S I feel for ya!!
3:13 pm
Oh no! It reminds me of Becca’s birthday dinner, when Hannah suddenly, messily and extremely obviously came down with the stomach flu… I hope that Baby Bug is feeling better!
Deb - Mom of 3 Girls’s last blog post..Monday Morning Meme #7
3:14 pm
Oh man! So sorry
But don’t be embarrassed . . . everyone at the playground has kids and totally understands. My son went for a play date on Sunday . . . an hour after he got home the other kid’s mom calls and says he is throwing up and running a fever and she hopes I’m not upset. Ummmm . . . no, not upset! It happens . . . not like they contaminated my kid on purpose. And thanks for calling!
And thanks to you for cleaning up . . . I’ve seen moms just run the other way . . . nice! Hope your little one is feeling better!
4:07 pm
yeah, most folks would not have cleaned up the mess. I think it might be a good idea for the folks who make air sick bags to sell them at WalMart for moms to keep in the car or diaper bag…maybe make it a kit with wipes to clean up the mess too.
and I know of a mom who not only didn’t clean it up, she didn’t tell anyone either. another friend went and told someone so it could get cleaned up. :p
Renee’s last blog post..They just don’t care!
4:08 pm
Oh my, what an awful situation to be in. Sounds like you handled it well, though.
Jessica K’s last blog post..Chocolate Gravy
4:11 pm
Awww, poor girl AND poor mama!
Jen’s last blog post..We are still alive (though maybe not yet kicking)?
4:25 pm
I’m sorry!! I feel for you on this one…I think most moms have been there at one point or another.
So how did the pictures Girlie Girl took turn out?
Cecily’s last blog post..Randoms ARound The AcRE and Bobbing for Toys
5:02 pm
Oh no!!! Hope she’s feeling better…. Love those mommy moments…
tracey’s last blog post..Still breathing…
5:17 pm
I so feel for you…my DD (age 2) has major reflux issues…and does this at least 2-3 times a week. Usually it happens at home, and I just want to die when it happens in public. I keep reminding myself that this too wll pass…
5:37 pm
Awww. Poor thing. It sounds like you handled it with more grace than I would have. I always panic in situations like that.
I remember one time when my oldest was a toddler, we were in a mall about two hours from home. I was carrying Audrey over my shoulder, when she got sick down my back and all over my (long) hair.
The joys of motherhood. LOL!
Janne’s last blog post..The Show Must Go On!
6:31 pm
i think that eventually happens to everyone!
Natalie’s last blog post..Date with Kirstyn
6:54 pm
Carmen has a new blog http://community.verizon.net/thread.jspa?threadID=1700005914 and you have to sign up with them to comment, but they don’t hassel you.
Renee’s last blog post..They just don’t care!
6:58 pm
Awww! Poor thing! My girls have done that too.
Never a good situation, whether you are the barf’er or the barf’ee.
Mary mert’s last blog post..You can’t please everyone
7:43 pm
Oooh, poor little bug. MK did that a lot when he was a child. In fact, he still throws up occasionally, especially when I MAKE him eat vegetables. He gets so worked up about it that he makes himself sick.
I can so relate to your mall trip. I hope the little bug is feeling better.
7:44 pm
Wow, sounds like you handled it like a pro! I just had a similar situation, I feel your pain!
P.S. I tagged you!
7:46 pm
I hope she’s okay, not getting sick before the big trip…
Naomi’s last blog post..Are You Money Savvy?
7:50 pm
OH - I feel for ya. I’ve been there . . mess, public place, informing security - or some other staffer and leaving.
It’s so crazy!
Michelle in Mx’s last blog post..Welcome to the party!
9:02 pm
I know what you mean. It’s hard knowing what to do first. I hope she’s feeling better:)
Jennifer’s last blog post..It’s Party Time!
9:47 pm
Girly Girl is a true photojournalist in the making.
Jennifer in OR’s last blog post..Sneaking permission to get on the blanket
9:58 pm
oh, i totally feel for you! something similar happened to us at a restaurant… needless to say dinner was OVER! so sorry - hope she’s better now!
Jessica’s last blog post..fondant, anyone?
10:30 pm
Oh no! I hope she gets better soon.
Summer’s last blog post..Adorable
12:13 am
I’m so sorry. I KNOW that’s the worst.
Angela’s last blog post..You Can Stand Under My Um-ber-ella
12:32 am
Oh NO!! I have yet to have this happen, I don’t know what I would have done either. I hope the sickies were short lived and you held yourself together while cleaning it up. So far Hubby has had to help me here when J has been sick, I hate to think of me being alone with the kids in public.
BeachMama’s last blog post..I Got a Haircut
1:07 am
OHHHHH my goodness. Isn’ t that the way? You did exactly what I would do…heck, Kailani, I believe I’d probably wipe it up with my own sleeves to avoid anyone else having to deal with it. That’s so funny!
But not funny at the time, I know. (((hugs)))
Oh….and happy blog party!
Stacey’s last blog post..Ultimate Blog Party Stop
2:04 am
Bless her little heart! And yours!
That Girlie Girl, she’s a blogger-in-training, huh?!
Lulu’s last blog post..Fandango Can Kiss It
2:39 am
Oh no….I’m so sorry. What a horrible way to end the fun. I hope she feels better!
Kim’s last blog post..Menu Plan Monday
2:52 am
I guess days with small kids can be full of surprises, even unpleasant ones. I hope she is feeling better now.
Grace’s last blog post..Horse racing at Nad Al Sheba
3:04 am
Oh boy…I know what that’s like!
Pickel’s last blog post..I’m Just Like You
4:40 am
Poor baby girl… I hope she is feeling better now. (((HUGS))) to you both!
Jen @ One Moms World’s last blog post..Jen Is Joining the Ultimate Blog Party
11:13 am
Ha - happens to us all! Mothers have to abandon all pride.
My daughter once threw up in a double-buggy we were testing at a fancy department store. The staff didn’t help at all, but the other parents around did. I owe them - I’ll always offer to help if I see someone in dire straits like that, because I know just what it is like!
12:40 pm
Oh, this situation is all too familiar! One time, when my now four year old was potty training, she had diarreah in the dentist’s office bathroom - ALL OVER THE PLACE! Since I was in the chair, my sweet husband had to clean it up. We threw away her clothes, and since we were stuck in town, we had to go to Walmart to buy some new ones! Ah the joys!
PS So, can we see girly girl’s pictures? JUST KIDDING!
Sarah (Real Life)’s last blog post..The “One Thing” About Jesus
5:47 am
All mothers can relate.
Want me to tell you about the time my oldest son’s diaper exploded while he was sitting in a highchair at a restaurant?
Nope, I didn’t think so.
Thank God my parents were with me and helped me quietly get him to the bathroom, changed, and the highchair wiped down with the baby wipes I had with me in my bag. As for the carpet under the highchair, the manager thanked me for telling him when I apologized profusely about a zillion times.
It was so sudden, there was nothing I could have done to prevent it.
It was a long time before we went back to that restaurant.
JHS’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
2:04 pm
Oh, that’s too bad Kailani! But I’m sure other parents feel bad for you!
waya’s last blog post..3 going on 40
12:02 am
They are trouble. Trust me. I know. Evil cute trouble
MAGGIE AT COFFEESHOPMAFIA’s last blog post..Ellen
7:15 am
[...] educational system - but I don’t. Instead, I talk about flushing toilets, rude passengers and public humiliation. I come up with silly ideas like Bloggy Hoss Elections, Commentor of the Month Award, Goody Swaps, [...]
(I'll take good care of it.)