Written by Rowonna McNeely – Kiera, Mom and I love to go to garage sales on Saturday. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to sleep in, but since Kiera does not grasp the “sleeping in” part, we go to garage sales.
Saturday morning, Kiera woke up and after foiling my attempt of getting her to go back to sleep, we got ready to head out and hit the garage sales. I sent a text to my Mom to see if she wanted to tag along. She quickly responded in the affirmative and we made plans to meet up.
As I was getting ready, Kiera came in the bedroom. “Mommy?”
“Yes, baby.” I replied while applying my makeup.
“Can I take a baby?” She asked.
“Sure. That will be fine.” I responded.
“Can I take two babies?” She asked.
I hesitated taking a moment to think about her question. Before I could respond, she continued on, “Well, see, they are twins and they always go everywhere together.”
Inwardly, I sighed knowing I was not going to argue over an extra baby doll.
“I hate to leave one, ‘cause I don’t want to make the other one cry.” She explained wide-eyed.
Did you know it was possible to feel guilt over leaving a baby doll at home? Well, I was getting a strong dose of guilt laid on me.
“So… you want to bring both babies?” I asked knowing it was a rhetorical question.
Kiera smiled at me as she answered, “Yes,” She paused for a moment and her smile was replaced with a concerned look. “But, then I am not sure what to do about Pumpkin.”
For those of you that do not know, Pumpkin is another baby doll. Unlike the twins though, you can give Pumpkin a drink and she wets her diaper.
By this time, I have turned to face Kiera, my makeup completely forgotten as I am drawn into the tale of the baby dolls.
“Pumpkin just cries and cries and cries when I am not around. I just don’t know what to do. I don’t have a sitter that can stay with her either. “ She released a deep sigh and hung her head as if the weight of the world rested on her shoulders.
This child needs to be enrolled in theater.
I looked at my forlorn child as I tried to think of a solution that did not involve carting three baby dolls around in the car while we were out looking for garage sales.
“Wait! I have an idea!” I exclaimed. I purposely added excitement to my voice so that hopefully my idea would seem like a good one to the distraught ‘mother’ of the babies.
Kiera looked at me with hopefulness in her eyes. “What about one of the stuffed animals in your room?” I asked. “They are soft, cuddly and I bet they would love on her while you were gone.”
I held my breath as I waited for her response.
“That is a great idea!” She said with delight. “ I think Pumpkin would like to spend time with them and they can cuddle her so she won’t be sad.”
I nodded my head, pleased with the outcome. She picked up Pumpkin and took her to her bedroom and I went back to finishing my makeup.
Quickly, I grabbed my shoes and headed for the living room. As I reached for the keys, Kiera appeared from her playroom clutching her baby doll’s car seat in hand.
“Is it ok if we take their car seat?” She asked innocently. “We want them to be safe.”
How do you argue that? I refrained from rolling my eyes at how well she played her cards and agreed that we wanted the babies to be safe and in their seat. We will ignore the fact that both babies have to ride in the same car seat.
As we stepped outside and I turned to check that the door was locked, I heard Kiera mumble, “I should have brought a diaper bag with their clothes.”
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Rowonna McNeely
Graphic Designer - Mommy to Kiera
Rowonna McNeely works with her husband, Aaron, at Willie’s T’s in the Art Department, regularly volunteers in the community, and has her hands full with her daughter, Kiera, along with two dogs and one cat.
Rowonna is a graduate of May High School (Go Tigers!) and grew up on a dairy farm. She enjoys reading, creating, swimming, and planning events. She’s also a bit of a klutz.
