What a Surprise

Kids are just little surprises all the time. Like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're going to get.

Last Friday I had an appointment to take Grace in for a hearing test. Since she seems to be a little delayed with her language skills, our pediatrician recommended the test just as a precaution. I could have told her as Dr. Mom that Grace's hearing is just fine. She can instantly recognize the theme to her favorite cartoons from the other room. But then again, there are times when she just doesn't seem to hear me tell her to pick up her toys. And I'll be standing right next to her. Funny how that works.

Anyhow, back to my Friday. Grace woke up at the crack of dawn, okay, 6:20, but way too early. She was cranky, and wanted to eat right away, so we did breakfast and then we had to start getting ready to go. However, her crankiness wasn't soothed by yogurt and peanut butter toast. She didn't want to go upstairs, she didn't want to go potty, she didn't want to get dressed. It's taking all my self-control to remain calm with her.... through gritted teeth.

Finally she gets onboard with the fact that we ARE getting ready, and we ARE going to get dressed, and we ARE going bye-bye. Fortunately, Paul took a nice long morning nap while we got ready.

So we're ready. Finally. And running late. What else is new?

We get to the medical offices. I'm not sure where the Audiology department is located. I'm maneuvering the beast of a double stroller through hallways and on elevators. I find the office. And the doctor has been waiting for me. Yes, cause I'm late.

I apologize. Tell her I was lost... blah,blah,blah. She doesn't look too amused as I squish my beastie stroller into her office.

She hesitates.
"Did you get the letter," she asks me.

What letter?

"The letter that recommends you leave small children at home or bring a companion because you are going to have to be in the test room with Grace. Will your baby be quiet?"

I hesitate.

Who knows? I look at Paul, wide-eyed from his morning nap, and think, "Lady, your guess is as good as mine."

"Let's try it," I tell her. Oh, and I didn't get any letter. I promise.

So we go through all the tests. Grace gets prodded and poked. She takes it all in stride. She even smiles and interacts with the doctor. We leave Paul as we go into a sound booth to listen to noises. He waits patiently, playing with his little chew toy. Never making a peep.

The doctor tells me repeatedly how great my kids are behaving. She says most 2-year-olds don't like to sit still and have things stuck in their ears. And the baby is so good too she mentions.

I don't know what to say. Should I tell her that I suspect that these are some sort of pod children that resemble my own in a freakish way.

But then like I said, kids are just a surprise everyday. I never know what to expect... and sometimes, it can be a pleasant surprise.