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Baby's Day Out

By Belinda Clarke

The first obstacle was getting the massive stroller down the front steps, not an easy task since the front screen doorstop doesn't work. As I battled with holding the door and easing my deluxe "does-everything-but-make-coffee" stroller down the steps, I had second thoughts. Maybe we could just sit in the back yard, I second-guessed myself. But I resisted the temptation to give up.

Baby now securely in the stroller and strapped down tight, we headed out. Fighting good sense, I proceeded to execute an aggressive three-stop plan that would take us on a two-and-a-half mile journey around town. First, I would treat myself to a magazine from the local newsstand. Then, I would stop and pick up a salad at one of my favorite restaurants. Lastly, we would scope out a nice shady spot at one of the beaches on lake Michigan and have a nice little picnic.

As we walked east toward the newsstand, I felt pretty good. I was a mom! And I was out and about on a nice day with my new baby. I was getting some exercise, and my son was getting to see something other than one of the rooms in our house -- and the ceiling.

We strolled along at a brisk clip, and soon were breezing past storefronts to the newsstand. Upon arriving, I deftly maneuvered through the door unassisted and feeling pretty proud of myself. As a small reward, I purchased Oprah's magazine, "O" and the latest issue of "Us" because it boasted "Celebrities in Love!" and I thought it would provide a brief and entertaining escape from breastfeeding, dirty diapers, spit up and no sleep.

Next stop was the restaurant, where my take out salad and Diet Coke were quick to arrive. Two steps down, and I was getting cocky. My son was sleeping peacefully and we were headed for our picnic spot. I wondered what I had been so nervous about, and told myself that we should do this every nice day.