Grace’s Hospital Gown

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October 8, 2009

On the morning of Joe’s medical incident, Grace had a diaper mishap. More accurately, I had a diaper mishap and Grace had a mishap involving a puddle of pee.

About the same time that the doctor suggested that Joe could be having a stroke, Grace pooped in her diaper.

This did not strike me as a problem, aside from the timing. I debated about whether to change the diaper where we were or to drive to the hospital and do it there.

It didn’t really matter because there were no diapers in the car.

Let me pause to say that I always have 4 extra diapers in the car. There are always 2 diapers in the map pocket of my seat, and there are always 2 diapers in the glove box. Usually, there are also 2 diapers in my purse and 1 or 2 in the cubby hole behind the back seat.

I am slightly neurotic about having diapers because I once got caught with a 3 month old baby and a diaper full of formula-fed poop in my doctor’s office. I opened the exam room door so that the doctor wouldn’t faint when he came in, and I inadvertently stunk up the entire office.

The poor nurses were spraying scented stuff and lighting candles til they were able to whisk me out the door.

I haven’t forgotten.

But I didn’t drive my car last weekend.

My husband, the man to whom I have vowed to be kinder because he deserves it, took Grace to his parents’ house while I was at the Type-A Mom conference. None of them would know that I’m neurotic about having extra diapers. They probably saw clean diapers in the car and used them.

No big deal.

Except that somebody used all of the diapers, and there were none to be had when I needed one.

I cleaned Grace’s hiney and pulled her pants up. I looked her in the eyes, and I explained that she wasn’t wearing a diaper.

“Gracie, you aren’t wearing a diaper. That means if you pee or poop, it’s going to go right into your pants. You don’t want to be wet all day, right?”

No, Mommy. No wet.

“So if you have to pee or poop, you’ll have to tell Mommy BEFORE you do it, okay?”

Okay, Mommy. My tell you if I pee or poop.

We hastily walked up to the ER entrance, made our way inside, and found out what was going on with Joe. I had to register him and take care of the associated paperwork. While I did that, I was thankful that Grace entertained herself quietly on the floor next to my chair.

And then she stood up.

I thought her pants were wet, so I asked if she peed.

No, Mommy. I no pee.

I asked if she was sure.

My sure, Mommy. I no pee.

I touched her pants. They were soaked. I asked how she got all wet if she hadn’t peed.

My peed, Mommy. My all wet.

Progress.

I think.

We went into the bathroom so I could survey the damage. There was plenty.

2 day old shoes, soaked. Socks, soaked. Pants, t-shirt, jacket, all soaked. The only thing that stayed dry was her hair. I’m not kidding.

My husband was in the ER with a possible stroke. And my child was soaked to the skin with pee. And I had no diapers. And my mom and sister were both four hours away. And I was close to hyperventilating.

I called my dad, who offered to drive to my house, pick up some diapers, and come to the hospital. I asked him if he’d also buy her a dress some place, and he declined.

I came close to hyperventilating again, but I scooped up my soggy kid and headed for the back of the ER to find Joe.

When we found him, Grace said, Daddy! My wet! My shoes wet! My clothes wet! My wet! with hands waving in the air like I had doused her with pee.

The nurse who was taking his vital signs looked up and asked what had happened. I explained.

“Shit happens, honey,” she said. “Do you need me to get you a diaper?”

I practically leapt into the air. In less than five minutes, she returned with a diaper and hospital gowns in a variety of sizes.

Grace thought it was great. Look my dress! she commanded everyone who came by.

I’m pretty sure she was the cutest non-patient in the ER. Everyone thought so.

We spent three hours in the ER, until the cardiologist came in and made the official decision to admit Joe to the cardiac wing of the hospital. Grace, my Dad, and I sang songs, we talked, and we played games like Hide & Seek.

My Dad would say, “Where’s Gracie?”

Grace would jump out and say Here my am!, all the while giggling in a way only a 2-year-old can.

Dare I say it?

We had fun. We made do, and we’re all okay.

Happily shared at Tell Me Thursday, Things I Love Thursday, A Thousand Words Thursday, Show and Tell Friday, Hosted by Cecily, Friday’s Foto Finish Fiesta, Finer Things Friday and Hooked on Fridays

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Mr. FeelsLikeHome said:

I glad everyone had a good time as I laid in bed wondering when a doctor would make a decision on how they could fix me up.

# 8 October 2009 at 9:57 pm

Corey~livingandloving said:

how adorable is she? glad it worked out in the end.

have a great Friday!
Corey~livingandloving´s last blog ..Tell Me Thursday~ Kitty Project Notes

# 8 October 2009 at 11:16 pm

Amber @ Classic Housewife said:

OH MY I can just imagine!! I have been caught in some really nasty situations without a diaper and clean clothes- but that takes the cake. That has to be the worst possible scenario ever. I am so glad for you that the nurse was there to help out. And yes, she IS absolutely adorable hiding in the curtain. =)
Amber @ Classic Housewife´s last blog ..The Body, The Whole Body and Nothing But The Body

# 8 October 2009 at 11:21 pm

debi b said:

OMGOSH! I am neurotic like that about diapers too and had an awful flashback while reading this of the last time I was caught without diapers (and twins with poop to the pits! UGH!)

Thanks for the giggles and the adorable pictures

Happy friday!
debi b´s last blog ..Friday Fragments & Fotos

# 9 October 2009 at 12:33 am

Cecily R@ MCMB said:

Was that post supposed to make me cry? Because it did. I’m not sure if it was because I am constantly amazed by the resiliance of children and their amazing ability to make bad situations better because they just are…or if I am just an emotional nerd. Either way, this was a GREAT post.

Love the pictures. She’s completely and totally adorable. I hope, judging by the tone in this post and Joe’s comment that all is well. And I hope it gets better and better.
Cecily R@ MCMB´s last blog ..Photo Story Friday and Main Street

# 9 October 2009 at 12:56 am

Dawn said:

WOW! I can just imagine how that was for all of you. I hope your dh is ok!
Blessings,
Dawn
Dawn´s last blog ..Friday show and tell~Week 2 Construction

# 9 October 2009 at 6:57 am

WackyMummy said:

Cutest story ever! I mean, as stories go that have a big diaper mishap at the beginning. Sure ended well, eh? Yay for you guys. Good thing you had your camera handy too for some awesome photos. (By the way, you had your camera but no DIAPERS???) =)

Just kidding. Come by my post and see some cute boys.
WackyMummy´s last blog ..At the Museum

# 9 October 2009 at 7:22 am

Pat@Back Porch Musings said:

What a doll baby Grace is!

As a mother of three and grandmother of four, I absolutely love and appreciate this cute story! Thank you for sharing it!
Pat@Back Porch Musings´s last blog ..~Table for Two in Yellow & Blue~

# 9 October 2009 at 8:29 am

Allie said:

That picture of just her little feet makes my heart melt. What a cutie, keeing her daddy smiling even in the ER !
Allie´s last blog ..Halloween Sensory Tub

# 9 October 2009 at 10:37 am

kaye said:

I’m glad you are all ok–I read your link. And I love grace’s dress. I’m making children’s books today. If you want to wander down my road I’m home.

# 9 October 2009 at 10:55 am

Heidi said:

LOL! What a great story. I love that someone else has been caught without a diaper at some point. And your story of the doctor’s office cracked me up! What a cutie you have. Oh wouldn’t life be boring without kids!
I hope your husband is doing well. And I am so sorry that he is having to go through such a horrible thing! Thanks for the laughs today!
If you’d like to stop by my blog I’m at Cake Crumbs.
Heidi´s last blog ..Photo Story Friday: Crappy News!

# 9 October 2009 at 12:19 pm

nightfall00 said:

That was quite the story! Leave it to a two-year-old to find fun amongst the problems. Loved the pics!
nightfall00´s last blog ..Photo Story Friday – The disappearing act

# 9 October 2009 at 2:21 pm

Erin said:

Kids make even stressful situations have moments that are just purely fun.
Erin´s last blog ..Sam-I-Am keeps busy…

# 9 October 2009 at 3:21 pm

Kidcraze said:

Yikes!
I am totally going to go re-stock my diaper supply in both vehicles this afternoon after reading your post.

She is awfully cute in her gown. Two year olds are so much fun.
Hope your hubby is okay.
Kidcraze´s last blog ..Show and Tell Friday………Pumpkin Patch

# 9 October 2009 at 4:12 pm

Tara (author) said:

WackyMummy – Actually, the camera is part of my iPhone. I bet my real camera WAS in my purse, though. How ridiculous is that? Camera but not diapers. Priorities!

Heidi – You aren’t kidding. Things would be boring without our babies!

# 9 October 2009 at 4:51 pm

Jennifer Taggart, TheSmartMama said:

Really great post. Kids are so resilent. And I think every parent has been caught w/o a diaper. I suffered a similar fate after my husband borrowed my car. I was out with the kids, and my daughter had one of those blowouts that go up the back. No clean diaper, no clean clothes. Drove by a garage sale and I jumped out, asking if they had any diapers. Met with a quizzical no. Desperate, I asked if they had any small blankets or lovies or anything. The woman held up a couple, I grabbed two for fifty cents, and promptly pseudo-cloth diapered my child. Crisis averted . . .
Jennifer Taggart, TheSmartMama´s last blog ..How To: Homemade Baby or Dusting Powder

# 9 October 2009 at 4:56 pm

Jenn @ FFP said:

I normally just read your blog and quietly enjoy tales about your family but after reading this, I HAD to comment. I’ve got three kids so I know what you mean about having diapers everywhere. I was still finding diapers I had stashed after my middle son was in school! Diaper’s EVERWHERE!!!

I have learned in doctor’s offices and hospitals, they’ll usually get you one if you need one. We had a similar situation earlier this year with my 2 1/2 year old son. Hubby went in to the hospital for back surgery. I was so consumed with preparing him for surgery and packing activities for the kids, I totally forgot about checking my diaper stash. Mistake. Once hubby was in recovery, Daniel decided fill up his diaper. I had diapers in the van but that was WAAAYYY out in the parking lot and I didn’t want to leave my husband’s side moments afer waking from surgery. His recovery nurse was so sweet. She brought me one and I was able to clean him up and stay with hubby till he was released! Thank God for those sweet nurses!!!
Jenn @ FFP´s last blog ..Contest and Giveaway Links

# 9 October 2009 at 8:32 pm

Amy, the Resourceful Mommy said:

I LOVE that your husband commented. And I LOVE that you had your camera. These are some wonderful pictures. As an aside, your site doesn’t load correctly in IE but looks gorgeous in Firefox!

# 9 October 2009 at 9:45 pm

Carrie Keiser said:

Good thing the nurse fixed your problem and you could focus on what was important. Hope your husband is feeling better.
Carrie Keiser´s last blog ..Foto Story Friday #70– Missoula Children’s Theater

# 10 October 2009 at 10:28 am

Robyns Online World said:

I bet you could have just hugged that nurse! How awesome was she!
Robyns Online World´s last blog ..Mammogram Was Normal! – National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

# 10 October 2009 at 1:45 pm

Dawn (Painter Mommy) said:

So glad to hear that all is well with hubby. Your daughter is just too cute. I LOVE her little gown!

DAWN
Dawn (Painter Mommy)´s last blog ..What are YOUR favorite TV Channels?

# 10 October 2009 at 5:51 pm

Sam said:

This post was great! Very honest and how we have all felt at one time or another as a mom! Thanks for sharing.

Stop by my new blog and say hi. I would love some visitors. I am new to this!
Sam´s last blog ..Hooked on Vintage Handkerchiefs

# 11 October 2009 at 2:08 pm

Amy @ Finer Things said:

That would have done me in. Kudos for going with it and making the best of the situation. She is a super-cute “patient.”
Amy @ Finer Things´s last blog ..Menu Plan, Week of October 11

# 11 October 2009 at 8:01 pm

Hooked on Change (or, All Good Things Must End) said:

[...] 25. Joanie @ The Bright Side 26. Katie @ Clean & Classic Interiors (favorite candles) 27. Tara @ Feels like home (hospital gown) 28. Creations From My Heart ( A New Place to Create) 29. BeachBrights (DIY Mag’s Blog) 30. [...]

# 12 October 2009 at 5:48 pm