chew toys and demerol
We’re driving back to the Lewis’ house from Reno after seeing Neko Case at 11:30pm and the kid is OVER it. We drove up to Truckee around 4pm got to their house, fed and changed him and hit the road again to get to the show. Tari brought an awesome picnic, only half of which Marc spilled all over Abby’s blanket, and the other half of which I consumed in a ravenously-unladylike manner. The show was great - she played a bunch of new songs and we all sat on the grass sipping our smuggled in wine and beer. On the way home, after exhausting all alternatives of pacification (pacifier, mom’s hand, dad’s hand, shoving his own hands in his mouth, damp wash cloth, chew-toys (yes, I’m aware that for children they are called “teething” accessories - but, he’s not teething, he just likes to chew - some primal instinct - like a dog… so, for me - it’s a chew-toy) Marc introduced the kid to the crack-like kids’ show Pancake Mountain. A uTube-only, indie-rock, low-tech-animation extravaganza that apparently works like a heavy dose of demerol.
How can something so bad as TV make the kid so damn happy? Or am I mistaking the pacified-coma of an over-tired baby staring at the flashing lights as happiness? Either way, we are going to try to not give the kid a daily dose of TV, but, will do what’s neccessary to keep the peace - especially when other people are in the car.
Listening: Neko Case
It’s so great to see you guys living your life and integrating the kid into it instead of vice-versa. I think as long as you know you may pay for dragging your kid around the next day and are prepared for it and realize it is your fault, you can deal with it. Like you said, it’s worth it to feel like you are still you. Love it.