About Twenty Minutes

After a week of long days and intense business meetings, I was driving towards home this afternoon and had a wonderful idea. I called my daughter in law and asked her if she would like a cheap babysitter. I knew Kathy would be home shortly but I figured I could get some quality Taylor time alone for 20 minutes or so. Since I did not have a baby seat in my car and could not pick her up, Tami brought her over.

The short of the story is the 20 minute babysitting turned into a two hour adventure. I didn’t realize my wife had an appointment this afternoon. Not only did she have an appointment but she had one where she had to turn her cell phone off. I called her several times and texted her a few more times than that. No answer and no response.

I had only one quick question for her.

How long will it be before you get home?

I learned something about myself tonight. This Papa is at his best in the babysitting business for about 20 minutes. After that, my ability begins to go downhill rather quickly.

For the record, Taylor never cried. I changed her diaper only once. She seemed thirsty so I put some apple juice in a bottle I found in the dishwasher but we spilled more on ourselves than we got in her tummy. I tried putting her in her high chair to let her eat a cracker. I tried at least 5 of them. She seemed to really enjoy throwing them on the floor.

I stretched out on the floor and played with her with her toys. But that didn’t last long. She wanted more than toys. She wanted anything and everything she could get her hands on.


I don’t know when babies usually start walking but this one has started. And she never stops. And that means this Papa never stopped trying to keep up with her.

Two hours of non-stop baby chasing.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my little Taylor. But I especially love her those first 20 minutes. After that I need her grandma around to help me love her.