What Happened at the Red Light

and how it helps Nora sleep... 

Very Similar to Ben's Reaction

While waiting at a red light on the corner of the Lloyd and Burkhardt, Ben and I couldn't help but notice the driver of the car next to us.    Immediately, I was flooded with emotion. 

I felt awkward - what should I do?  Should I pretend I didn't see this happening?  Should we honk?  Should I laugh?

I felt sick -  almost to the point of vomiting.

I felt embarrassed - for that driver. 

I felt angry.

But, above all, I wanted to know why.

Ben, on the other hand, knew exactly what to do.  His reaction was to stare, with his mouth wide open, until the light turned green.  My panicked response, to both the driver and to Ben's staring, was to repeat "Stop, stop, stop, stop".

Throughout the duration of our stay at the stoplight, this driver chose to use his time to pick booger after booger, and eat them one-by-one.  We watched him take green goodness out of his nostril, place it in his mouth, move his jaw up and down, and then repeat this feat approximately four - six times.    

Now that I've had time to reflect, I believe this guy deserves some credit.  

Ah, refreshing.
Advice that Most Agree On

After Nora was born, I was bombarded with advice.  "Never wake a sleeping baby."  "Wake your baby up during the day."  "Don't use a pacifier."  "Use a pacifier."  "Let your baby nurse as long as she wants."  "Cut your baby off after 40 minutes."  "Never let a baby cry."  "Let her cry-it-out for 10 - 15 minutes."   "Don't rock her to sleep"  "Rock her  as long as it takes."  "Feed her on a schedule." "Feed her when she's hungry." The list goes on and on... .     It's easy to get caught up in what people think you should be doing, instead of following your gut.  I sometimes second guess the fact that I use the "shush, pat" method when Nora stirs during naps.  Should I be letting her fuss?  Should I be picking her up and rocking her to sleep?    I can take a lesson from booger guy.

So, booger guy - I salute you.   You most certainly knew that people around you didn't agree with your methods.  And they'd probably think you're weird.  But, you did what you wanted.  You were hungry.  There were boogers stuck in your nose that you didn't want there.  You did the logical thing as you saw it. And it works for you.   I'm not going to do that when I have similar problems - especially when Panera was right there and I carry tissues in my car.  But, kudos for following your gut and not caring what people think.  

As for us, we're going to stick with the 'shush, pat'.