Leina is bravely going through another round of teething. Just like last time, she’s getting two right in a row. The top right has broken through but that upper left one is a big nasty white bulge right now. How miserable. Who’s idea was it to make babies teeth? Why couldn’t they have been born with chompers like every other animal? This teething phase means anything that can fit in her cute little mouth gets gnawed on. This includes fingers, noses and even toes. (Learned the last one the hard way.)

But lately, I’ve discovered something very interesting about Leina. With her, I’ve been inducted into a new club…. the Parent Club. Before Leina, I discovered the Dog Club. I’d be out with Artie and find myself chatting away with total strangers about our dogs just as natural as you please. I’d wave and people with a pooch on leash and smile at every person driving a car with a dog hanging out the window.

Now, with Leina, I’ve graduated to the next level. The Parent Club. I can’t set foot out my door with out being stopped. I’ve had people stop their cars in the middle of the street, roll down their window, and start chatting. How old, how big, what’s she up to? When I mention teething, I get sympathetic “ahhhhs” and lots of interesting advice. The most original came from the Safeway fish stocker. (He has a 3 yr old boy and an 18 month old girl.) His recommendation? Beef jerky. Yup, he said for his son’s molars, nothing worked like a stick of beef jerky. Got everywhere but the kid was happy. I shudder to think what Artie would do if he saw Leina with a stick of beef jerky. He already loses control when he sees her eating Cheerios. Of course, I’m even more afraid of what her diaper might look like after a stick or two of jerky. Bleck.

But this Parent Club is so wonderful. Everyone nods and coos condolences when I tell them she isn’t sleeping through the night. They kindly comment on how cute/sweet/chubby she looks. Often, I get offers from complete strangers for outgrown clothing or baby toys. My favorite is the reaction of the older kids when they see Leina. “Baby!” they cry and head straight for us. What is it about babies that makes little kids so excited? Do they remember being that small? Do they sense a fellow munchkin in a world of giants? I don’t know but yesterday, a mom slowed down her car just to let her 2 yr old daughter in the back say hello to Leina as we walked around the block. Yup, I’m digging this parent thing.

I heard someone say it’s ok to not like dogs or cats or children but if you don’t like all three, something is very wrong with you. Being a proud member of the Cat Club, Doggie Club and Parent Club, I can tell you each is well worth the effort but so far the Parent Club blows the other two away!