Where is the diaper? - A toddler's report

One Saturday afternoon my day was like any other Saturday. I woke up, I chatted with my stuffed toys and eventually my dad came to get my out of the crib. Next, as always, I get a diaper change…

-So, not too much to clean little guy - said papa - now breakfast.

I just giggled. I love breakfast with my papa, he tells me everything. He told me all about the hockey game last night. His team won!

But, wait! I forgot to introduce myself. Hey, I am Benedict, I am one year and three months old. I don’t talk yet but I can see everything, so... from my tinny head here goes this report to you, broadcasting… well, my life! Anyway, let’s continue talking about today, it was a very surprising day!

As I was saying, I was finishing my oatmeal when mama comes hurrying carrying all sort of things, and bags, my mom loves bags.

- Let’s hurry up loves!,-said mama trying to get everything ready- Benedict you have swimming today, it’s the first class!.

- Relax, honey - said papa - it’s all good, right little guy? He meant me, of course.

Mama is always rushing, papa often says she is like a chicken running without head around the house .... Honestly, I have never seen a chicken running, nevertheless without a head, grownups can talk nonsense.

They buckled me in the car seat at the back and as we go, (vroom said the car) they kept saying things that were going to happen today, like going to the store, my dad will see a friend while mama and I are in swimming class, mama is negotiating a ride back home, usual stuff.

I was excited about going to the store, I love taking tomatoes from the shelves! But I was a bit scared about swimming, but it was all good! My mom often says it’s ok to be scared about the things we don’t know or control, like…how cold is going to be the water in the pool or when I will poop or where papa put his glasses (you have no idea how many times he misplace them…more than I could count if I knew how!), "But we need to be brave", says mama. So, yeah, I was scared going to the pool but mama was with me; and just in case she wanted to leave I made sure she was close, oh yes, I kept her close to me by pulling her hair although I am not sure she liked that. After all, swimming was good and fun, I even made new friends, we all liked splashing the water!

So my day continued, lunch time, yummy yogurt and banana, and some cheese too; then finally, a trip to the store! Tomatoes, here I come! Full cart! Then home. And yes. Diaper change! I saved this one for my papa. .. yes, a full diaper! Full and stinky. It’s funny to see my parents’ expressions when I poop, they are happy but disgusted and they always make funny noises too.

- Yack! Ough... A lot of poop! You need a bath now! Honey! (My dad called my mom)

- Yeah? - my mom answered from the loud kitchen.

- Can you start the bath? Benedict is full of poop and my hand too!

- Ok!

Papa’s baths are always fun, lots of bubbles and splashing but he just doesn’t know how to dry me well, that’s my mom’s department. She is the expert at drying and getting me ready for whatever is next, usually food but sometimes is play or going out. This particular change, I noticed, my mama was rushing more, probably because the stove was on.

- There you go, all dressed and ready, let’s eat- said mama and brought me quickly to my high chair.

However…something was different. My bum and skin felt my pants more, that soft fabric, it was strange . I don’t talk yet so…I just look at my parents who didn’t seem to notice anything unusual. Maybe today is a different day, and different days bring different feelings or sensations, I thought. It was after supper that papa finally said

- Honey, Benedict has wet pants…hey little guy what happened?

- Oh... well… maybe he got wet with the spilled milk - answered my mama, she kept doing things.

After supper we all played, we read stories and sang silly songs then when my mom was going to place me in the high chair again for my bedtime snack she finally noticed something was weird!

- Oh… indeed he has wet pants! This is strange - said mama - the diaper usually holds all… did we get the right size? Hmmm

- A mystery! I tried to say clapping my hands.

Now, this is it. the moment I was waiting for hours, the moment of solving the mystery... a new change of diaper… I was so excited! More than every night! I always love going to my crib and playing with my stuffed toys and pillows so going to bed is great but…oh no, oh boy…this time was different! It felt like a big discovery! The kind of moments that stay in your head. My heart was beating fast, my eyes were wide open looking up to my mama’s face, she was nervous, she was wondering…then…

- What? - screamed my mom - What happened? Where is the diaper?

My mom was in shock! She was speechless! My dad and I were surprised too. The big discovery was unbelievable! Something that never ever happens! She forgot to put on my diaper after bath! What a surprising event for our family!

- Well - said papa breaking the tense silence- mystery solved!

- I can’t believe it! - my mom kept saying, still not believing what happened- No diaper! No diaper at all! All this time…

My mom didn’t know if she should hide her embarrassment or laugh…

She picked to laugh! We all did! I am certain today was a life lesson for my parents and a great story for me to tell one day! Yup. Life is full or surprises whether you are a little one like me or a grownup. So… to finish today’s story, I want to give you a little piece of advice:

If you are a parent or grandparent watching a baby or little guy like me and are reading this…. Make sure the diaper of your baby doesn’t disappear or …

You will get a mystery to solve…and clean!

This is Benedict, reporting