The First Time I Took My Son Out Alone
the first day i took my son out
November 4, 2024
It was November 4, 2024 — Sarah's first day back at work after four months of bliss with our baby boy. It also happened to be our seven-year wedding anniversary. But there would be no celebration. We'd been celebrating for four months straight. Those four months were the happiest we've ever been. They were also the hardest. We overcame an early health scare. Turns out, his heart was perfect — full of love. The day we once looked forward to, became a day we didn't. I was doing it solo for the first time. This is what I meant when I said it gets easier and harder at the same time. I thought I had it figured out. After his first nap, we hit the streets — me and Malik. Two dudes, one stroller, and zero experience. Every sound felt louder. Every face looked suspicious. I was on high alert, or so I thought. On the way back, Malik started getting fussy. The pacifier wasn't helping. He cried louder, and all I could think was, please don't call the cops. I swear he's mine! I tried shushing him while pushing the stroller with one hand and holding the pacifier with the other. It was going okay until I realized that I forgot to bring milk. He was hungry. We were at least ten minutes from home. I picked him up, hoping my arms could do what his bottle couldn't. Then I smelled something. That's when I realized the smell I noticed earlier — the one I blamed on the elevator at CVS — wasn't from CVS at all. It was Malik. Malik had pooped himself. And I, proud first-time dad, had remembered zero of the things I actually needed. So I cradled him close, nesting his poop-stained pants in the fold of my arm, and kept walking. He calmed almost instantly. Fell asleep a few minutes later. One hand pushed the stroller. The other held Malik. I tried to look like a dad who had it all under control. Fifteen minutes later, we made it home. I changed him. And I changed how I prepare for our future walks. Safe to say, I got my 💩 together.
