Stop Crying...It's Just a French Fry

Picture from Dude Knows Best

It's truly official everyone...Micah is a toddler.  He's been showing some minor signs along the way that showed me that it was coming, but today really marked the transition from infant to toddler.  Micah is 17 months old and has long gone past the infant stage, but I guess I was sitting in limbo somewhere hoping that he wouldn't turn into the average toddler -- you know, the toddler that is completely inconsolable for the simplest of things like dropping a French fry in his car seat, having temper tantrums, that kind of stuff.  I guess I was hoping that it would be somewhat easier for me, but there's no such thing when you have a toddler, especially one like Micah.


I picked up Micah from Daddy's house last night, since I wanted to stop by the model homes once more but this time with Titi and Momo. 

As soon as Micah got in the car, his tunnel vision went straight to the McDonald's bag that was sitting on the front passenger seat.  He must've smelt it as soon as Daddy opened the car door and he just knew (without a doubt) that he was getting some French fries. 

As soon as Daddy got him into the car seat,   Micah started whining. 

Disclaimer: Two things that REALLY irritate me - whining and temper tantrums with the kid falling out on the floor.  That does not do well with Mommy's patience or tolerance.

Immediately, I tell Micah to calm down or he wasn't getting any French fries.  He immediately calmed down, looked at me (batting those incredibly long eyelashes), and said "Mama...nana!"  Now, that I can deal with...a rational request.

We started the drive over to the model homes, with me handing French fries to Micah in the back seat.  He didn't whine or anything.  He just continued to say "Mama...nana!"  I was glad that Micah was doing so well with the French fries because that meant he would be really good when we did the tour.

I should have known that things were going too well...it's like the calm before the storm.

We were sitting in the parking lot, waiting for Titi and Momo, when I handed Micah a French fry and it accidentally dropped somewhere in his car seat.

The screams and yelps he let out could have waken the dead, broken glass, and curdled milk. 

I tried to give him another fry, but he wasn't having it...he wanted THAT french fry.  No matter what I did to find it, it just seemed to have disappeared.  Admitting that to Micah only caused more yelps and screams. 

At first, I continued looking for the French fry when it hit me how ridiculous the situation was. 

Why was I outside of my car in 20 degree blistering cold and windy weather looking for a single French fry in his car seat when there's a bag of hot steaming French fries in the front seat?

I took another second thinking through this...then I realized that I had enough.

Mommy: Micah! Stop crying...it's just a French fry! If you don't calm down, you'll get no more French fries!

Micah: (stops crying) No more...noooooo!!!!

Mommy: You want more French fries?

Micah: Yes!

Mommy: Ok, let Mommy get in the car and I'll get you more French fries, ok?

Micah: Mama...nana!


Just then, I realize there's a note on the door of the office saying that the office is closed for a meeting at the corporate office.  What? Do you mean I just sat out here all this time when I could have been nice and warm in my apartment? Ugh! Time to call Titi and let her know plans have changed...

As I'm talking to Titi, I hand Micah another French fry...which once again falls in his car seat.  He screams and yelps again.  It's really a piercing sound.  I turn around and look at him with a glare that could have done equal damage as his screams and yelps.  He quietly calmed down, putting his head down and looked as sad and demure as he possibly can.  After a moment or two went by, he looks up and says, "Mama...nana!"

Maybe this whole toddler thing won't be as bad as I thought...