date night and o’s

This weekend, despite the fact that we HAD NOT budgeted for such an event to occur (and now that we have a fancy Financial Counselor whom we have to report to every two weeks, this is no small thing) — we went on a date.

A real date, to a movie, with dinner beforehand. And a babysitter.

The night went well. Jonah fell asleep by 7:15. We were out the door right after. Called to check in at 8:15, before the movie started. Everything was fine.

Called after the movie to say we were on our way home. Cell phone rang but no answer. I tried to remain calm as we paid for parking, got into the car, headed home. A 10-15 minute drive.

Called again. No answer. Waited. Called again. Tried calling the neighbor — just to ask if maybe the lights were in fact on at our house and could she perhaps go knock on the door. Red lights seemed inumerable and interminable.

Tried calling the land line. Not that she would answer our phone. Called her cell again.

Part of me knew it was probably nothing. That she was probably asleep on the couch. Part of me was trying to imagine scenarios. She’s with him while he’s crying right now? She’s on the front steps with a boyfriend and left her phone inside? The ringer’s turned off? They’re at the hospital?

Part of me was thinking of the list of people I would kill, starting with the babysitter, her parents, if ANYTHING happened to my baby.

I flipped the smooth silvery cell phone over and over in my hand as Scott drove. Took deep breaths, made slightly pinched humming sounds, meant to release the tension in my chest, my head.

Of course the lights were on. Of course she was asleep on the couch. The TV was on, rather loud. The baby monitor, on top of the TV was flashing red and beeping because the battery had run down. The cell phone was next to her, on the floor. It took a verrry vigorous shake to wake the sleeping teen.

I’m. Not. Pleased. Is it normal for a babysitter to fall asleep? Isn’t it HER JOB to stay awake while the baby sleeps, in case HE wakes up and needs her?

Humph.

* * *

O’s:

The boy is now eating the organic health-food equivalent of Cheerios. Go pincer grasp! Of course, he’d already been using the grasp on pieces of cheese. He has an inordinate love for cheese. Wonder where he got that from? (Glances at ceiling, twiddles thumbs, whistling…)