The Swing-The Baby Whisperer

I hate, hate, hate to admit it by Babbie* was right.  "Make sure you register for a swing that goes side-to-side and front-to-back."  Yep, she was right.  But we didn't listen and we registered for the pretty green and yellow Graco swing that matched the Pack n Play that matches the high chair because it all looked so good together.  And did we check to see that it swung both ways?  Nope.  

The first time we put Elliott in her beautiful Graco swing she screamed bloody murder and proceeded to vomit everything she had just eaten.  Those of you who breast feed and already feel velcroed to your child know that when they vomit everything it is just devastating.  You have just spent 15-30 minutes sitting there feeding your beloved child to watch it all come right back up.  Now your baby is going to be hungry again in 10 minutes and you'll have to repeat the entire process.  And not everyone's milk flows so plentiful as mine.  Needless to say, we put the pretty matching Graco swing away in the basement with a sigh, resolving that we'll have to continue to hold her until she falls asleep, carefully placing her in the bassinette and backing away praying that she sleeps for at least 20 minutes.  That gives time to pee, change the laundry, brush your teeth and maybe read three pages of the newest Southern Living.  

Skip to the OuterBanks, North Carolina this past weekend.  My brother and sister-in-law brought their ocean wonders side to side swing with them for baby Thea.  Seeing an opportunity to test out the side to side rather than front to back I asked to try Elliott out in their fancy swing.  

MIRACLE!  It was like baby crack.  Elliott immediately fell asleep and remained peaceful for 45 minutes until it was Thea's turn.  Spencer and I spent the rest of the weekend with eyes on the swing and whenever Thea wasn't in it, we raced to put Elliott in her happy place.  I shed a tear when Tripp and Jean and the girls left Sunday and we were staying until Tuesday.  Where was I going to put Elliott?  How could I take a shower?  How am I to live?  We called Wal-mart, K-mart, everywhere on the island....no side-to-side swings.  

But never fear, we stopped at Babies R us in Richmond and invested $135 in a piece of pure heaven.  Now as I type this entry I am gazing at my beautiful sleeping baby in her Fisher Price swing.  How did I survive before this?