As a teenager I was sometimes called upon to babysit. In fact there was one family in our church who hired me to babysit every Sunday afternoon. I can’t remember now how old their baby was but always when I would arrive she would be sleeping contentedly.  All was well.

When I heard her making noise, I would to get her out of bed. But when I opened the door I was met with an awful stench. A smell no one should ever have to smell. I would still get her out of bed because I was the grown up. I would put off changing her diaper because it was so rank. I knew as soon as I opened the tabs the stench would be unbearable.

And it was. I would literally gag my way through. And she would lay there and look at me funny. I’m sure her parent’s never did that. Ever.

I vowed never to have children because I can’t change a stinkin’ diaper.

When I had my first child, I didn’t have a problem changing her diapers. I didn’t have a problem until I was potty training. Every accident she had was murder on me.  When I was pregnant with child #2, I was working in our church nursery and had to get someone else to change a diaper. Because I couldn’t. They all understood, pregnancy hormones and all.  At least I had a good excuse…or one better than “I’m just weird.”

Which fits too.

I am sad to say I have not outgrown it. I had no trouble changing child #2 diapers at all but I had problems when she was potty training.

My children are now 10 and 8 and I have no worries. Until I babysit.

A friend has a 6 month old baby. Baby J came over a few weeks ago and as soon as my friend left, I noticed J smelled quite ripe. I started gagging before I even undid the tabs on the diaper. I sent Elizabeth for the air freshener spray. I was careful not to spray it directly over the baby because that would be bad.

I briefly contemplated using a blindfold, because I’m positive it’s not just the smell. I quickly vetoed that idea. I muddled…gagged my way through.

Baby J is here today and I’m not ashamed to say, I call Mr. FullCup home from work to change the diaper.  I did. And while he changed, I sprayed copious amounts of air freshener.

He told me his secret is to not breathe too much. Hmm. I don’t have to breathe at all. I just have to think.

Maybe I’ll try not thinking..it’s worked well for me in many situations so far in my life. Although I’ve never planned on not thinking.