Is that a BABY crying?!

OMG.

We attempted to run out for a quick burger Tuesday night at a neighborhood bar around the corner. My hope was that, mid-week, it would be less crowded and less conspicious to bring a baby in (it is kind of a scene on the weekends - Fifty/50 for the locals).

As it turns out, Tuesday is trivia night and the place was packed. We decided to roll the dice. We had driven around for about a half hour to quiet the little noise machine, and he was actually asleep. And the burgers are really good...

We snuck in and headed to a dark corner upstairs. One drink and app into things, Ben melted down. Like, I've been STABBED and need immediate medical attention, melt down.

Conveniently he belted out his first blood curdling scream just as the trivia MC had turned down the music to ask participants a question.

People literally turned their heads in our direction saying, "is that a baby crying?," as if they'd have been less surprised to look up and see an alien. I immediately started sweating. We ate our burgers in a flurry while taking turns trying to silence the little guy. Nothing worked.

We ultimately ran out, heads down, knowing that is the last time we'll ever have the 50 burger...and I may be too scarred to dine out again before Ben is of legal drinking age.

In short, the crying has not subsided...

Forget everything I said.

He has been crying inconsolably since I posted that last entry, with no clear reason as to why - outside of his mother's cocky assertion that she has this all figured out.

Touche.

Consuming a record number of resources on soothing.

Be back when the crying has ceased.

We are settling into a bit of a groove and it feels so good.

Everyone is a little more familiar with each other, which means better understanding what the different cries mean, and in turn handling each accordingly.

For example, this photo features the "I hate being naked" cry (or it could be "I don't want my new belly button photographed" but pretty sure it is the former). There is the "I'm hungry cry" which is unmistakably loud, overly dramatic, and usually involves a lip quiver - all in the span of about 15 seconds, it's not like I'm starving the little guy.

In total there are about five cries, which actually makes it relatively easy to get to the bottom of things. Unless of course it is the fussy cry, which has no root and usually requires a lot of walking, bouncing, and gliding to get through.

But ironically there is serenity in knowing why the crying is happening, even though it is still as loud and persistent and sometimes unstoppable.

You have to celebrate these milestones too, especially on the days when you're unbelievably tired. These victories give me the confidence to make it another day.

And of course his little face helps tremendously. Even the crying face makes me smile :)