Fireworks and Thunder

Babies make a lot of noise. Most of it is made up of crying but there are other noises that emanate from babies that are far more perplexing at times. 

There have been the shrieking sounds before the crying, which my husband says sound like pterodactyl cries. There are whimpers when they are about to cry. The ‘ooooh’ sounds when the baby witnesses something great or interesting or is probably doing something in their diaper. My little girl makes some ‘who’ sounds like an owl that are just delightful. 

The list could not be complete without the frightening explosive sounds that come from her diaper area though -- Frightening in that they are so loud for such a small little body.  They often sound like the climactic exchange between fireworks and thunder. They always signify a diaper change. And an occasional disbelief that what is in the diaper has a hue that cannot be found in nature.

The first time I heard this noise, I was preparing to take my baby out on a walk in her stroller. She was preparing for a nap and then I heard the horrible noise. I began to worry that I should probably stay far away from her in case there was some projectile object about to come my way. Despite the noise, she did not wake up. In fact she seemed calmer than I had ever seen her up to that point. I wondered if I should bring her out. 

I called my husband and told him the situation. I asked if it would be a good idea to bring her out and he said ‘You know how she is when she poops, it doesn’t seem to bother her.” I didn’t know for sure if she had pooped at that point because it was only the second time I heard the opera of explosions. I decided to take my chances and go on our walk.

When I returned from the walk, I did change her diaper and there wasn’t any surprise inside the package. My baby just had some gas. However it was a sound that would historically make people hide in underground bunkers. It was noise that produced fear. A noise that was not run of the mill for any child around whom I’ve been.  I am sure there are more surprises in store as I continue on my parental journey.