by Sandie
This weekend we took Schmoop to meet Santa for the second year in a row. Last year, he was 10 months old, so I figured he would quietly sit on Santa's lap and smile. WRONG. At Macy's, where there are at least a dozen different Santas, we waited in line for 30 minutes to end up with a $70 set of pictures showing the Schmoop in full-sob mode. This year we decided no Macy's, no line, just good ole fashioned Santa in vintage velvet digs at the ABC Carpet & Home. We go in and there are just three people in line, two of whom are grown sisters (they were both calling an onlooker "Mom") sporting three-carat rings and a sense of humor. After the diamond sisters, it was our turn. Schmoop took one look and buried his head in my chest while simultaneously letting out an ear-piercing sob. Santa's helper offered a chocolate cookie to bribe him into getting on Santa's lap, but he wouldn't bite. I took the cookie and gave it to my husband, who suggests we hang back and show the Schmoop how much fun all of the other kids are having on Santa's lap. We wait around and watch about 10 different kids (including one family of five children, which was definitely a first in the high-earning Yuppie mecca of ABC). Finally, we try again, but again he starts sobbing and buries his head in Mama's chest. The husband says he'll get the camera ready for an instant shot once I place the Schmoop on Santa's lap. I place him and the photo's taken, but not before Schmoop starts bawling. We try this one more time before the husband calls it quits. Santa advises us to return when we're ready to be in the picture with the baby. Good idea. Next time we won't dress like we're on our way to a pyjama party. We've begun to show the Schmoop all of the posters and videos and ornaments we can find of happy jolly Santas with the hopes that his Santaphobia will subside some time before next December. Oy vey
We had the same experience with Santa at the mall. We gave up trying to sit Hank on Santa's lap after several failed attempts and hopped in the picture ourselves. So we have TJ on Santa's lap, me on one chair arm holding Hank and Jarrod on the other side. All in all, its a great picture!
Pyjama party.......LOLOLOL! Sandie, you're too funny!
Posted by: Bridget | December 15, 2003 at 03:09 PM
Bridge, If Hans, or more precisely, I, had looked decent that day, we would've tried the same. I was all frizzies in a bun, though.
Posted by: Sandie | December 15, 2003 at 03:48 PM
Hee hee. This is exactly what I am afraid of! We want to take our Schmoop to see Santa this weekend and I can already see the pic of Matthew sitting on his lap with a smush face and tears! oye, maybe we need to find a Hanukkah Harry ;-)
Oh wonderful stroller guru I need your help! Do the Techno's have a bunting thing you can buy? The nanny (Gosh, do I hate having to say that) likes to use the Techno while walking him and it's getting pretty cold so I was thinking how great a bunting would be for it. The Bertini and Peg have buntings but I haven't seen one for the Techno. I knew if *anyone* would know it would be YOU!
Kisses to the Schmoop :-)
Posted by: Lisa | December 16, 2003 at 04:32 PM
I don't think I know how to work this :( I just tried to start a topic about books but I can't find it? I guess it didn't work?
??????
Posted by: Lisa | December 16, 2003 at 04:38 PM
This is exactly what I'm afraid of--Liam having a freakout session on Santa's lap. He's usually pretty laid back, and I can see him just staring at Santa, totally mesmerized.
But I fear Santa's gigantor beard might send him into a tizzy. So, no pic of him with Santa this year.
Of course, there's also the fact that we'd have to brave the mall at this time of year, and I don't think the H or I is up for that.
Posted by: Meribeth | December 16, 2003 at 06:32 PM
Lisa: Buy the Eckert Footmuff from Urban Monster. It's amazing and will last you three years at least! UM is offering free shipping until Friday, to boot! Maclaren doesn't sell a specific bunting for the Techno, but the Eckert is a GREAT after-market bunting.
As a guest author, your posts are "drafts" until I publish them live. So if you start a post and want it to publish, send me an email or else you have to wait until I get around to seeing my TypePad page.
Posted by: Sandie | December 17, 2003 at 10:53 AM
Meribeth: On the one hand, he could surprise you. At the ABC there were several under-one-year-olds who sat happily on Santa's lap. Maybe they have corpulent and hirsute, silver-haired grandfathers. Who knows? Of course, you can save yourself the trouble and just take pics under the tree, like we eventually did.
Posted by: Sandie | December 17, 2003 at 10:55 AM
Sandie--
We don't have a tree this year, since we're moving. =( I did decorate the mantle, but it's not really the same.
Yeah, Liam's pretty chill in public, so I think chances are good he'd be OK. But we'd still have to brave the mall. That is such a frightening thought to me. It would be great to have a pic of Liam with Santa though. I guess I better decide quickly!
Posted by: Meribeth | December 17, 2003 at 01:06 PM