Floaters

I have learned a lot in the past few weeks. I tend to be a slow learner, but the past few weeks have seemed to teach me a whole lot in a short amount of time. I have not blogged in a while, so be patient with me as I get used to it again.

My lovely wife, Kelly, is quite brilliant. For those of you who do not have the privilege of knowing her very well, let me enlighten you. She is the smartest person I know… and I do not mean just book-smart (although she is that). She is also very instinctual and aware. Because she loves me so much and believes in me, she put aside some of her own pursuits to move to Tallahassee and give birth to Belle and Ashton. Now, I am doing everything I can to give her the room to study and complete her Masters of Divinity, which she is set to do by spring 09! Woo-hoo!

In so doing, she takes a few nights a week after dinner (or earlier) and goes away to study, since there is no way she can do it with two toddlers hanging around. She has also tried to take all day Friday or Saturday (my supposed off days), if my schedule will allow, as well as a few days or weeks here or there to travel to Cleveland. During the longer periods, the kids have gone to stay with my parents in SC.

Last Saturday was the chosen day for her to study since Friday was so rainy and nasty. She left in the morning, met us for haircuts and Sonny’s, then went back and stayed out until about 9pm. I have prided myself in my ability to take care of the kids all day, and have the house clean when Kelly comes home at night on these particular days. I was well on my way.

It was about 7.30pm. The kids were in the bathtub playing. I had finished cleaning everything up from the huge mess we had made playing all day, except for Belle’s room and one load of laundry. I had just gone into Belle’s room to start when I heard the scream.

I ran across the hall to find Belle standing up screaming, “Daddy! Ashton pee-peed in the tub!” Well, being a boy, I did not think much of this. I know it is gross to most girls, but I am a guy. No big deal. Belle would hear none of it.

They had been playing with their crayons which typically turn the water a strange color. As I got closer to Belle, who would not calm down, I noted the crayons had turned the water an orange-ish color. I told Belle to calm down and finish her bath, or I was taking her out. She immediately asked to get out. That was clue #1. My kids LOVE the bath. They hate to get out. That is when I saw it.

A floater.

Obviously, Ashton had had more of an issue than urine. Belle had not given me the full story. Of course, I immediately jerked Belle out of the tub. Then I checked out my son. He looked at me and just started giggling. He thought it was the funniest thing in the world.

I took them to the large tub in the master bathroom and rinsed them off and filled the tub for them to get clean. Then I set out doing one of the most disgusting things I have ever had to do. I will not go into detail, but suffice it to say that it was nauseating.

When I finished and put all laundry associated with this nasty episode in the washing machine, I went into the master bath, washed the kids and took them out. They had been out of the tub for about 5 minutes when Kelly came home. I had not finished cleaning Belle’s room nor the laundry. I was flustered.

I did not get sympathy. I got a little empathy, because it was gross, but I was told that it had happened to her before too and this is the way it goes when your kids are not toilet trained. It was no big deal.

NO BIG DEAL?

To make matters worse… Sunday night Kelly and I allowed the kids to take a “big, big bath” in our tub as a special treat. Another scream from Belle. Another incident from Ashton. This time, he had climbed up on the built-in seat and done his business. Then he slid off the seat and promptly contaminated the water. Much bigger tub… much bigger mess.

As I reflect on these episodes, I am still grossed out. However, I realize how much I love my kids. I love spending time with them… just me and them. I feel closer to both of them now than ever before and I cherish the time I get to spend with them. I wish I had done this sooner.

I can handle a floater from time to time.