Don't Touch My Baby

Everyone wants to look at babies. There is something about those new innocent little bundles of joy that just attract people like magnets- ask any new mom and she will confirm this. So of course I didn't expect anything less with Ryder.

We often park and wait outside of Lucas' school to pick him up. It beats sitting in the car for twenty minutes listening to Alex say "I'm bored" and it is actually faster unless you are the first two cars in the pickup line.

While we wait many people comment on how cute and happy Ryder is and one older lady took particular interest. This lady would stand back waving and covering her eyes to play peek-a-boo. As the weeks went on she came a little closer everyday.

Now let me tell you something about this lady, she seems very kind and nice, I am pretty sure she is one of the kindergartners grandmothers, but I have never heard her speak, not once. I suspect she might not speak English but I have never heard her say anything- not one word.

One week she approached me and stuck out her arms indicating she wanted to hold Ryder, still not saying anything. Ryder smiled at her so I allowed it. She pointed up at the flag, at the clouds showing him things but never saying a word. When the kids came to the gate she handed him back.

The next day she again approached me with outstretched arms. This time she walked around a little more with Ryder-never wandering too far but just enough to put me on the edge a bit.

The third day in a row when she approached me, I said "I'll just hold him". I felt kind of bad- but hey this is my child. For about a week after this she stayed further back and just smiled at Ryder. It probably would have been fine for her to hold him but I just felt uncomfortable with the whole thing.

Last Wednesday, Alex borrowed The Snake Book from preschool, this is the third time she borrowed this book-the girl likes snakes. She asked if I would read it to her while we waited for Lucas. Right outside of the kindergarten gate are a couple of large pillars. Alex and I sat leaning against the pillar, she on my left and Ryder on my lap and we read the story.

We were reading about pythons and boas-did you know they birth live baby snakes- and all of the sudden an arm came from behind the pillar, reached across Alex, across my chest coming within inches of a place that only a couple of people are allowed to be near-one being my nursing baby- to tap Ryder on his arm. My whole body tensed up and I literally had to bite my tongue not to say something I might regret. I then stood up, said 'come on Alex' and we walked away.

Needless to say, she won't ever be holding Ryder again.

Has anyone ever invaded your personal space?