Anne TootillTo Be or Not to Be a Mother -Part Two
October 24th 2006 14:53
Josh just had his six week birthday and 20/20 was setting up shop in my house. Abby and her crew were touring the house and taping up camera equipment. In the living room. In the kitchen. In the dining room. In my bedroom. In Josh’s bedroom.
My husband was still at work. Then again he was always at work. He was excited. Me, on the other hand, I was uncomfortable. All these people trapsing through my house. All these strangers touching and moving my stuff.
And I was anxious. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be on T.V. After all I hadn’t lost all the baby weight yet. And since I hadn’t had much sleep in the past four weeks I didn’t exactly think I looked my best.
But being on ABC’s 20/20 colicky baby special was an offer I couldn’t refuse. At least not any more. Too late to turn back now. Cameras were already attached to my walls. The production crew was getting the lay of the land (my land). And sleeping arrangements were being discussed.
Yup, me my husband and Josh were having overnight guests. Abby and some of her staff were planning on sleeping with us so they could tape Josh in action. All night long. That’s when it hit me. Omigod! I was going to be seen wearing my flannel nightgown by lots of people. Possibly millions.
Why hadn’t I thought about this sooner? Why hadn’t I gone shopping for some sexy flattering nightwear instead the ugly granny nightgown I wore every day. A nightgown that looked like something worn by Mother Goose in her retirement years. But it was too late now. Josh was crying. My husband was at work. No babysitter meant I’d have to take Josh to the store. All those people staring at me. I couldn’t do it. I had no choice but to go with what I had.
By the time Abby and her merry band of workers had finished setting up and were ready to roll it was dinner time. My husband wouldn’t be home from work for another 2 ½ hours (neither rain nor snow nor 20/20’s taping shall bring him home earlier than his appointed time; 8:30 P.M.). So Abby and crew left for a bite.
For a second I remembered the good old days when I too could make a spur of the moment decision to leave the house…and then just do it. But those days were gone. As was my freedom. For Josh and me there was nothing left to do but wait. Wait for them immortalize me in my flannel pajamas wearing glasses (as opposed to contact lenses) with coke bottle thick lenses. Wait and hope that if the show didn’t get canceled before the segment aired at least aliens attacked the planet so viewers would be too busy fighting off a global takeover, to watch.
My husband was still at work. Then again he was always at work. He was excited. Me, on the other hand, I was uncomfortable. All these people trapsing through my house. All these strangers touching and moving my stuff.
And I was anxious. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be on T.V. After all I hadn’t lost all the baby weight yet. And since I hadn’t had much sleep in the past four weeks I didn’t exactly think I looked my best.
But being on ABC’s 20/20 colicky baby special was an offer I couldn’t refuse. At least not any more. Too late to turn back now. Cameras were already attached to my walls. The production crew was getting the lay of the land (my land). And sleeping arrangements were being discussed.
Yup, me my husband and Josh were having overnight guests. Abby and some of her staff were planning on sleeping with us so they could tape Josh in action. All night long. That’s when it hit me. Omigod! I was going to be seen wearing my flannel nightgown by lots of people. Possibly millions.
Why hadn’t I thought about this sooner? Why hadn’t I gone shopping for some sexy flattering nightwear instead the ugly granny nightgown I wore every day. A nightgown that looked like something worn by Mother Goose in her retirement years. But it was too late now. Josh was crying. My husband was at work. No babysitter meant I’d have to take Josh to the store. All those people staring at me. I couldn’t do it. I had no choice but to go with what I had.
By the time Abby and her merry band of workers had finished setting up and were ready to roll it was dinner time. My husband wouldn’t be home from work for another 2 ½ hours (neither rain nor snow nor 20/20’s taping shall bring him home earlier than his appointed time; 8:30 P.M.). So Abby and crew left for a bite.
For a second I remembered the good old days when I too could make a spur of the moment decision to leave the house…and then just do it. But those days were gone. As was my freedom. For Josh and me there was nothing left to do but wait. Wait for them immortalize me in my flannel pajamas wearing glasses (as opposed to contact lenses) with coke bottle thick lenses. Wait and hope that if the show didn’t get canceled before the segment aired at least aliens attacked the planet so viewers would be too busy fighting off a global takeover, to watch.
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