Over the past 11 months, I've had to learn how to multitask. I've always been a pretty good multitask'er, but I've really had to kick it up a notch since Growly Bear came along. Most days I do pretty well, and the majority of the daily necessary tasks are completed.
If anything ever is not completed at the end of the day, it's something for ME. And, that's what's happened over the past week or two.
I've needed to wax my upper lip ('stash) for well over a week, and I just haven't been able to find the 5 minutes that it takes. Seriously, it was getting scary! Sorta looked like I was going in to competition with my hubby over who could grow a thicker one!
So, last night, while Growly Bear was in the tub, after I'd washed her and she was just having fun sitting (yes, that's her new thing. She INSISTS on sitting, and occasionally trying to stand in the tub) in there playing with all her toys, I decided I'd attack my 'stash.
I positioned the bathroom mirrors so that I could see Growly Bear in them, and got out all my little strips. After cutting them to size, and warming them up, I got to work. This self waxing thing is all new to me. Getting up the courage to rip that little strip off my delicate skin is by far the worst part. Well, that and the 10 seconds of searing pain the directly follow that moment. But, I'm getting the hang of things, and so far it's been going OK. I haven't taken any skin off, or got them stuck up into my nose hair or anything like that. So I'm going to go ahead and call the experience somewhat successful so far. At least up until last night.
The first strip went well! No issue whatsoever, and half of my 'stash was gone! During this time, I had to tell Growly Bear to sit back down on her bum, and not try to crawl in the tub about 4 times. She'd flash me her cheesiest grin, and sit back down again until she thought I wasn't watching anymore.
I got up the nerve to apply strip number 2, and was doing a little deep breathing before ripping it off, and just as I was about to, I heard slip, sploosh, bonk, "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!" and as I whipped around, there was Growly Brear all crumpled in the corner of the tub sobbing her little eyes out. She'd tried to get up, slipped, and bonked her head, or face, or elbow or knee... I really don't know what. There was no red mark, and no bruise today, so I think she just scared herself more then anything.
Seeing as I hadn't been prepared to get her out of the tub quite yet, I didn't have a towel or anything ready. But, there wasn't time to grab one then! She was going into full meltdown mode. So, I did what any good mommy would do, and I scooped her dripping wet little crying body up, and have her great big wet hugs. I was drenched within seconds, but she didn't seem to care, and just cuddled in and had her little cry while I hugged her.
It wasn't until I spun around and faced the mirror a few moments later, that I noticed I still had the stupid wax strip hanging off my face! I knew that my husband would have heard her cry, and wold be coming around the corner at any second to check on us, and I REALLY didn't want him to see me like that! I'm pretty open about everything with him, but there's just some things you don't want your husband to witness!
So now I've got to try to find a towel, and get Growly Bear dry and warm, and get this stupid thing off my face in a matter of seconds. I went to rest Growly Bears bum on the counter while I hung on to her with one arm, and reached down to grab a towel from under the sink with the other, and as I went to set her down, I noticed the stupid uncovered wax strips are laying there sticky side up! I can't set her down on a wax strip!
So, I'm juggling her in one arm, and trying to move the wax strips with the other. Now they are sticking to my fingers and back of my hand, and I'm really making a mess! By this point, she's calmed down and has noticed this funny thing that's stuck to mommy's lip, and she wants to play with it. In frustration (and in terror that my hubby would be in any second) I grabbed the strip and ripped it off with one hand! Freaking OW! When you don't have the other hand to hold your skin taunt as you rip, it's pretty brutal!
Growly Bear thought it was funny as I gritted my teeth and mumbled bad words under my breath. Oh well! At least she'd forgotten about bumping her head (or whatever it had been...).
Eventually I was able to move the wax strips, and get a towel around her without something getting stuck to any of her delicate little areas. Everything worked out OK. The only casualty was the left side of my upper lip, which is nicely raised and red from the brutality it went through last night.
So, lesson learned. From now on, I will be attacking the 'stash AFTER Growly Bear goes to bed!
My world traveling parents should be getting home right about now, so we're off to see them and to show off Growly Bears cool new crawling moves.
Love and Hugs