Nap Time and Lunch Dates with a 9 Month Old

So the old adage about "once you get used to something, it changes" should be what they teach you about babies in the infant care classes! Diapering is a cinch, bathing no problem, infants are easy (minus the 2 hours of sleep at a time thing)...9 month olds...where is that class?

Nap Time.....

This is a picture of my adorable daughter during NAP TIME. Yes, this is what happens when they learn to pull themselves up on things. And this was the THIRD time I had gone in to put her back down in about 5 minutes. Note the "I am SO proud of myself" grin on her little face. So there I was holding and rocking my 20 lb baby back to sleep. We will be putting the crib all the way down to the bottom tonight! Oh and just so you know..just because they can get themselves up, doesn't mean they know how to get themselves down.

Lunch Date 

Recently I went out with a friend for lunch. Sounds nice. If you don't have a baby you are thinking...meet up whenever, where ever, hang out, shoot the breeze, maybe have a cocktail, take your time, the norm.
If you have a baby or kids...you know differently. So in order to "do lunch" here is what it's like for me and Sophia. Pick a place that is easy to get in and out (just in case), must be baby friendly so no place too fancy. Then get "the stuff" which includes the diaper bag stuffed with diapers, wipes, toys, wipes for the toys that will definitely end up on the ground repeatedly, bottles, bibs, baby food, spoon, finger foods, hand wipes for you and the baby. Then your stuff which is now a wallet, cell phone (for calls and baby amusement...there are apps for that!) and your keys (also a great baby entertainer). Shove that stuff where ever because you don't want to have to lug around your purse and the diaper bag.
Ok, now find a good parking spot. This used to be right up front...not any more. I mean its a plus if that happens but mostly you need a spot where you can open your back door up as wide as possible so that you can get the baby and the stuff in and out without be wedged in or dinging someones door. Ok, now get the stuff and the baby who is currently bundled up like "The Christmas Story" and get into the restaurant.
Once you're in.... pray there is no wait. Waiting with wiggly baby that wants to grab everything and also crawl on the gross floor is not fun. If there is no wait, you go the table and situate the baby which now involves a high chair. Get the baby in, wipe down all accessible surfaces with a disinfecting wipe... because effectively whatever baby touches goes in their mouth (gag). Next get out a variety of baby toys and watch them all go onto the floor within a minute. Pick up, wipe them down and repeat about 50 times (no I'm not kidding). In this time figure out what you're going to eat and order. The menu btw is a great baby entertainer, just make sure that they don't clear the table with it.
Now get some food in you and food in the baby in the quickest, quietest and neatest way humanly possible. Be sure not to leave your soda/drink too close (Val;) or it will end up all over the table!
All in all, if you get out full and not covered in food, soda or anything else, your baby didn't cry and no one around you shot you more than 3 "Can't you keep that baby under control" looks, it was a good meal!