Have you ever panicked? I mean really, truly panicked? I'm talking about the kind of fear that clenches your gut, spins you around and makes you wonder how you were suddenly dropped in the middle of a horror movie? That's how I felt today...
Being as it was the last weekend of spring break, I really wanted to get the girls out of the house for one more special outing before we head back to the daily grind on Monday. It just so happened that Brian was out of town with his baseball team, and we woke up this morning to
pouring rain, so I knew we'd have to visit some sort of indoor venue for the girls to expel some energy.
I decided to take them to OMSI. Not for the DaVinci exhibit, but to run around in the Science Playground upstairs. Every time we've been, Camryn has had a blast. They have water play, sand, dress up, an art station, computers, magnifying glasses, and lots of science pretend play (chipmunk costume, anyone?) The only difference this time around was that Aubrey was actually big enough to join in (some of) the fun, and it was a Saturday. Mid-morning on a rainy Saturday, to be exact.
I realized when we got there that this of course translated into massive crowds. There were toddlers everywhere, an insane amount of noise (not helped by the newly added make-your-own-music station), dozens of strollers, and for some reason, an inordinate number of pregnant women in the room. Space was tight and the volume was at an alltime high.
I had a serious talk with Camryn before we entered. She seemed to understand that I was outnumbered, and that she MUST stay with me, within my sight. She's usually pretty good about following directions when we're out in public, so I didn't worry too much. About 20 minutes into our visit, I decided to let Aubrey loose in the baby climbing area. Camryn was too old to enter, but could play right next door in the 'grocery store.' My attention flickered back and forth between the girls, but when Aubrey's fingers got crushed by a wobbler about her age, my gaze fell on her for a moment too long. When I looked up, Camryn wasn't there.
At first, I didn't panic. I grabbed my tennies and Aubrey's shoes and quickly put them on. "She's crouching down in the puppet theater." I told myself. "I just can't spot her in the sea of little heads." I headed over, baby slung on one hip, and diaper bag over my shoulder. When I reached the play area though, she most certainly wasn't there. My eyes darted immediately the the art area I'd been promising her we'd visit. No luck. It was at the point that the fear began to creep up my throat.
I started circling the large room, my eyes jumping from station to station, searching for her brightly patterned sweatshirt and light brown bob. I didn't see her anywhere. I revisited her favorite spots, hit up that art room a few times, hoping that she just hadn't been able to wait, and went in there ahead of me. Still no luck. A few parents and grandparents saw the hysteria on my face. They offered to help, and one went looking for an OMSI staff member. I continued to circle, my eye on the only exit door, and called out her name.
Now I was the crazy lady. The mom who didn't watch her kid closely enough. I was the lady yelling out in the crowd as I dragged my other child and a 20 pound diaper bag along with me. I was frantic. I may have knocked down a toddler or two, or shoved a pregnant belly out of the way, I'm not sure. Two OMSI staffers approached me, walkie talkies in hand, and got a description of her and what she was wearing. One followed me, and the other went searching. They explained that if we didn't find her quickly, they'd walkie talkie an all building alert. Well that just sent me into a tizzy. I screamed her name, but all I could hear were the xylophones and maracas from that blasted music station. Surely she couldn't hear me if I couldn't.
The entire time, my imagination was running wild. What if she was circling the room too, and we were just missing each other? What if she had slipped out the door to try and get to our stroller? What if someone had taken her? What if she had gotten locked in the bathroom?
On about my 15th trip around the room, and about 10 minutes after I'd realized she was gone, the second OMSI staffer flagged me down. She had found Camryn playing in an obscure corner, near the computers and butterflies, on the OPPOSITE SIDE of the entire room from where she was supposed to be. I was SO relieved and SO angry at the same time. I scooped her up with my other arm (now I was toting 75 extra pounds) and hauled her to the nearest quiet corner. I managed to mumble a "Thank you" to the two staff members, but now as I sit and reflect, I'm not sure I ever looked either of them in the eye. I was too petrified to take my eyes off of the sea of kids, for fear I'd miss her.
Camryn's eyes were wide as she got a tearful and stern reprimand. She wasn't afraid at all, until she saw my face, that is. I explained to her how scared I was, how upset I was that she had walked away. She nodded a wide-eyed understanding, and then quietly asked, "Can we visit the art area now?"
After abandoning the Science Playground (after all, I was just going attract stares now), and taking a moment to catch my breath while the girls ate lunch, I started to feel the post-adrenaline let down. The kind that gives you a bit of the shakes as you realize all of the other possible endings to your nightmare. It was at that moment that Brian called to say he had left Seattle. I told him we were at OMSI. "I'll wait until you get home to give you the details," I said.
A few family pics...
Don't they look sweet???? (Don't let them fool you...it's really just all the candy they've eaten!) ;)
Happy Easter, everyone!
Walking everywhere!!!! Aubrey is becoming a more independent walker every day, but she still loves to walk around gripping her big sister's hands. :) Her newest skill is standing up unassisted from a sitting position. She gets into what looks like a football 3-point stance, and then pushes herself up and toddles off... 
Celebrating Daddy's birthday. He turned 32! Camryn insisted we wrap his gift in Cinderella paper! 
Dyeing Easter eggs
Making and delivering Easter egg nest cookies to our neighbors
Enjoying snack outside on this spring's first sunny day!
Watching Dad mow the lawn. It's been awhile, so it's almost like a new form of entertainment! Aubrey watches him from the windows and doors, beats on the glass and yells, "Dada!" 
This weekend we had the opportunity to join our good friend Sandy, along with many of her friends and family for the MS walk downtown. She was diagnosed just over a year ago, and has since then amassed quite a following, raising money and awareness about the disease. In fact, this spring, in only her second year participating, her team raised almost $5,000. Very impressive!
The morning started out cold (like 36 degrees cold), so we bundled the girls up like it was December again. Poor Aubrey couldn't sit up in the stroller for all the layers she had on, and Camryn sipped on hot cocoa while we waited for the race to begin.
By the time we made our way from Pioneer Courthouse Square to the Eastbank Esplanade, the sun had come out. Camryn walked, galloped, and ran most of the way from the Steel Bridge to the Hawthorne, and then hitched a ride on Daddy's shoulders for a bit. Aubrey ended up sleeping for most of the walk, which ended up being a good thing for everyone involved. :)
I love that we were able to show our girls that there are many ways to help people, support our friends, and show teamwork. We are very proud of our friend Sandy, and her ability to make lemonade out of the lemons that life has tossed her way. Clearly, many others feel the same way.
Having a "3-way birthday" celebration for Camryn, Aubrey, and their Mimi.
Making chocolate covered strawberries with Mimi. Camryn was a big help! Can you tell?
Visiting Bend's Working Wonders children's museum. Here, Camryn played "weather girl" at the news desk. :)
Playing "vet" at Working Wonders. Love the name plate!
There were fun spaces for wee ones too, though Aubrey generally preferred to be underfoot in the areas meant for bigger kids. :)
Sacked out on the way home from 3 days with Mimi and Papa!
LOVING some play time at Pump It Up Jr. with Mommy, Daddy, and sister. We all enjoyed the family playtime, but Aubrey LOVED it. She squealed with delight every time we went down the slide, then reached her arms out and lunged towards the steps as if to say,
Trying out our new double jogger with a trip to the park (and the camera on Mom's phone.)
Picking daisies at the park.
Pretending to be a baby eagle at OMSI's Science Playground. This was pre-loss-of-child (see related post), as demonstrated by the two children in my care.
Baby Eagle Aubrey
Yesterday, we took the girls in for their "birthday pictures." Though Aubrey was a little hesitant at first, she really opened up once her sister joined her on the photo platform. In fact, by the end of the session, we couldn't get any pictures of her, because she kept crawling away and squealing as she climbed all over the studio. Silly girl!
This one says, "Hey, check me out! I'm one!" (FYI-The photographer did NOT put her hand there. We thought it was hilarious that her best photo was an all-natural, hand-on-hip pose!)
Camryn was awesome during the session! She waited patiently, in pose, with her smile pasted on, while three adults tried to wrestle Aubrey into position. What a good helper! 
