"good enough" parent confession #2

This is a story about poop.

I suspect you might find it a little bit gross and a little bit funny.
I should probably triple-think about whether to post or not.

But, in the day of a life of {being human} - you know what they say:

Shit happens.

It was a beautiful day to take a walk into town.

Our infant was settled comfortably in the stroller as we bumped along the river

and then took in the storefronts along main street.

We were out quite a while, taking in the crisp warmth of the day, 

before I realized I hadn't stopped for coffee as I'd originally intended.

I quickly detoured into a local shop before returning home to catch nap time.

As I reached into the basket of the stroller for my coffee mug, I noticed a familiar scent.

We abandoned the line and strolled into the bathroom.

I pulled our infant from the seat to find his diaper had been no match for his business.

I immediately got to work: I stripped him down, cleaned him up, wiped down the stroller, and reached for a clean diaper and clothes.

 -

Nothing

-

Think fast. 

Shake out excess poop from pants. Create makeshift diaper from paper towel. Place baby back in stroller. Cover baby with poop-smeared blanket. Hope no one notices. Return to line. Order coffee.

Heart beating, ears burning, and completely self-conscious, I hand my travel mug to the barista.

As the mug exchanges hands, I notice the non-industrial, disgustingly biological smudge along the silicone sleeve.  I remain silent.  My palms start to sweat.  I avoid eye-contact.

The barista rinses it out and hands it back to me, filled with liquid comfort.

I say thank you and leave a tip in the jar 

{it is the least I can do}

She wipes her hands on her apron and helps the next person in line.

Exit stage left.

confession #two

Most days you are not as prepared as you would like to be {or envision in your head}.

Sometimes improvisational reactions go without a hitch

{and}

Sometimes, you have poop on your coffee mug and request a refill anyway.