Friday, January 10, 2014

worst. day. ever.

Yesterday was by far the worst day of motherhood to date! And it's not even Mia's fault. Our day started out so good! Mia woke up after a good, long night of sleep, we played and laughed, ate breakfast then went to the gym. After my workout, we were walking out to the jeep (my new mom car that I haven't even showed off yet, except I kind of hate it right now so I'll show it off when it redeems itself) I started it (from my keys) to get it warming up while I buckled Mia into her car seat. I let Mia play with the keys while I buckled her in, took them back and dropped them in the diaper bag (like I always do) and closed her door. I tried to open my door... but I couldn't! I ran around the jeep trying every door and they were LOCKED! I almost died right then and there. I didn't know it was possible to lock the keys inside the jeep!

You see, we don't use the keys to lock, unlock or start the car. We lock the jeep from the door handle, it senses the key and unlocks itself, and we have push to start... so my keys always stay in the diaper bag so I don't forget them somewhere. When we first bought the jeep I tried locking the door but it just. wouldn't. lock. I realized I left the keys in the cup holder and as soon as I had in my hand, the jeep locked! So like I said, I didn't know it was possible to lock the keys inside! I guess Mia pushed the lock button (the buttons are h a r d to push, she's never actually pushed down on them before) without my knowledge.

I kept looking at my hands praying that my keys would magically appear. But nope, only my phone (don't know why that wasn't in the diaper bag with the keys because that's where I always put it) and a credit card (I just renewed my gym membership). I tried to call Eric but my phone wouldn't work.... OH MY GOSH! I forgot to pay the phone bill (first time this has ever happened, of course)! I ran inside the gym and used their phone to call Eric. He told me he would leave right then to get our spare keys and bring them over. I felt zero relief. It takes Eric about 45 minutes to get home from work. And did I mention that Mia started crying the instant I shut her door?! I was in major panic mode! I ran back out to try and open the doors again (just in case, right?) and Mia was screaming bloody murder. Poor baby! She was probably mad, annoyed and scared as to why she was in the car by herself watching mom run away! At least I knew she wasn't cold because the car warmed up when I started it from the key (thank heavens).

I suddenly remembered that I was supposed to be able to unlock my car from my phone... except it still wasn't working! So I ran back inside the gym and they let me use their computer to pay my freaking phone bill to access my app (credit card came in handy!). Well, I couldn't figure out how to use the app so I called customer service and was on the phone for 20 MINUTES trying to figure out why it wasn't working. It took so dang long because my mind was so far gone and I couldn't calm myself down. I would tell them info between hysterical cries which means I would have to repeat everything 5 times (I feel so bad for them) as they tried to trouble shoot. I had to stand in front of my car because each time I checked on Mia she would cry the saddest cry and wave at me through the window (I cried just typing that. It was heart breaking!) and when I walked off? She would scream bloody murder. The man finally set everything correctly (I set up the app wrong) and sent a signal to my jeep to unlock. He seriously was so nice and patient with me through the whole process even though he admitted that I was stressing him out (ha) and I am so thankful for him! My door finally unlocked the same moment Eric pulled up (of course). I checked on Mia and realized that she had finally cried herself to sleep.... and that's when I totally fell apart in Eric's arms (as if I wasn't already a mess before)!

Don't ask me why I didn't call the police department or roadside service. I literally could not make myself think straight! (Customer service suggested calling r.r.s. but then they figured we'd be able to fix the problem long before r.r.s. reached me. Unfortunately I'm an idiot and made it harder for everything to work out). Mia was safe, warm and locked in her car seat. I knew she would cry herself to sleep. But the only thing I could process was that my baby wanted and needed me, and I couldn't get to her. And she just didn't understand. Worst. Feeling. EVER!! I was literally frozen from the wind chill but I didn't feel the pain until I had access to Mia again. I mean, my brain shut everything down except the panic that I couldn't get to Mia!

Thinking back on it, I roll my eyes over my stupid phone being shut off (maybe someday I'll laugh about it?) when I needed it most! I die a little inside wondering what the gym employees must be saying about me (most incompetent, idiotic mother EVER). I am sure I might get a comment or twenty about how I shouldn't be a mom (no one can bring me down more than I already did to myself). But mostly I've learned to stop procrastinating. I knew I didn't understand the app, but if I had simply called and asked a question to make sure I had it set up correctly, I would have been able to unlock my car (once I paid my freaking bill) and hold my baby 30 minutes sooner! I mean, UGH!! I'm so mad at myself. And mad because I wasn't aware this could happen in the first place... otherwise my keys never would have been placed in the diaper bag. I'll be mad about that for a long time. But mostly I've never been so thankful for a husband who loved me and comforted me (and broke the law driving to town to save his girls) when I needed it most. Seriously, not one word of chastisement! And I've never been so thankful to hold my sweet, sleeping baby who instantly forgave and forgot the moment she woke up!

Yesterday was just pretty sucky. But I learned a lot of lessons! And Mia got to enjoy the rest of the day of having whatever she wanted ;) Including a family date night for ice cream!

43 comments:

Megan said...

You poor Mama!!! Glad to hear everything was ok...one day you both will look back and laugh at this, even though it's not funny at the moment! :)

xo
Megan
Hello Newlywed Life Blog

Evelien said...

That must have been soooo scary!! Oh my... I'm so happy everything turned out just fine :-)
And you're not a bad mom at all, I think this could happen to anyone!

Kaitlin said...

Aww don't beat yourself up! It could have happened to anyone & she was warm and comfy.

Kaitlin
http://cheese-loueeze.blogspot.com

Pamela said...

Awww bless your heart!!! Things happen!! It's ok!! Glad everyone was ok!

P!nky said...

Oh you sweet sweet friend, I am so so sorry. I can't imagine the feeling. I'm so glad everything is well though! So so glad!

xoxo

Unknown said...

You are absolutely not an idiot. Not at all. Things happen...it is what it is. :) I'm so glad everyone was okay, and that Eric gave you ladies the love, and support that you needed. And hey? Ice cream! ;)

The Stylers said...

I lost Koleman once if that makes ya feel any better! Haha my car key is the same way I had no clue I could lock it in the car, good to know!!

Jess Beer said...

This is one of my BIGGEST fears. Glad everything's ok!!!

Printed Bonnet by AyoBE said...

Awww...don't beat yourself up. It can happen to even the most seasoned parent. Its called being human!!! Repeat that!!! You are human!!!

I am glad Mia is OK. Your hubby sounds like a pretty awesome guy.

Sorry you even had to go through this.

You have taught me a lesson though. I never bothered to download the app to my phone. I just got a new car last November. Doing that right now so...Thank you!

LILIXOANA said...

Oh wow that's scary but at least she is safe in your arms right now, don't beat yourself up these things happen to every mother. If not like this then something similar. We are all human.

Jessie said...

Oh, Courtney! This could happen to anyone. My "super smart" car did that to me a few months ago when we were roasting marshmallows in the hills with friends. I left the keys in my unlocked car, opened and closed the door several times to grab things, and one time it just locked. Nobody touched anything thing. Weird!!! I was just lucky nobody was in it. My hubby was out of town, so our neighbors went up that night and had to break the windshield (my car is a tank) to get in! So I had to buy a new windshield the next day. Ugh. Then I made 2 copies of our one key.

I'm sorry u had had to feel so helpless. Any good mom would freak out like that. But the car was on and Miami was safe. And she won't even remember the incident! So forgive yourself. It really can happen to anyone.

Tammy Jo said...

What an awful experience. I'm so glad you finally got in and had all the support you did! PS I think you are a wonderful mom :)

Julie said...

I'm so glad things got settled. I think my new car does the same as yours and I'm afraid to find out now. Hopefully Mia is doing just find today :)

hello erin said...

i feel really bad. . but i'm totally chuckling right now. It sounds awful, horrible, and something id be totally hysterical about- yet it also sounds like something you'll laugh about in like 5 years "remember that time i locked mia in the car with the keys?". . . i'm SO sorry sweetie. what a mess!

Jaclyn said...

I am so sorry!!!! I know that must have been so scary. Remember it was much more traumatic for you than baby Mia. You are such a loving mommmy!! xoxoxo

Ashley @ ThisUnscriptedLife said...

=( I would have panicked too! When my son was a baby I went grocery shopping and brought him inside our apartment. I put him in the playpen and went back out to get the groceries like I always did. Except I forgot to bring my keys. We lived on an Army post at the time and our apartment doors locked automatically when they shut. I just locked my baby in the house alone! As soon as the door shut I freaked. The only thing that made me feel the tiniest bit okay was that he was in the play pen. Of course as I stood outside the door trying to contact the maintenance people to let me back in he started crying. LONGEST 20 minutes of my life!
Everyone makes mistakes. I'm glad she was okay =)

Hannah said...

I would have been freaking out too! So scary! Glad everything worked out and was better in the end, and it is true, Mia won't remember this little story. What a blessing the car was turned in so she could stay warm in the midst of this!

Cara said...

Total freak accident! Don't beat yourself up about it, sometimes things like this just happen and you know she was safe and warm in the car but I can't even imagine that feeling of not being able to get to her when she wanted you. I'm so sorry this happened to you but I'm sure it will make you better equipped for a scary situation if it were ever (Lord forbid) to happen again.

Amber said...

You are NOT the worst mama ever! Life happens!! Look on the bright side, the car was being warmed up & you knew she was in the car safe. This probably hurt you emotionally more than it hurt her! XO

the girl in the red shoes said...

You are totally not the worst mama ever...You LOVE that girl! It's SO hard to see your baby upset and to not be able to hold them. I would have lost my mind too! So glad she was safe and warm...and probably totally forgot about everything by the time she woke up!

Tara said...

Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry you had to go through all that! Locking Kaya in the car is one of my worst fears (especially since she loves playing with the remote and I am usually frazzled and scatterbrained)! No one can judge you or make comments- we all have stuff like this happen but it's so obvious you love Mia!

Kirsty and Seth said...

Poor you, what a nightmare! I think I would have had a heart attack. And you are an amazing mother, sometimes things just happen!

kirstyandseth.blogspot.com

Kimberly said...

My brother and his wife just did this at 2am on their way from CA back to Utah!! I asked my SIL if she was sobbing and she was like "no, I knew he was safe" Yeah, I would be sobbing. FREAKING OUT. I'm so sorry this happened to you!!

Anonymous said...

omg I bet your heart was racing the whole time. At least she was safe and warm inside the car. You were both just scared that you couldn't get to each other. Things happen!
That was extremely sweet of Eric to come save his girls and only console you. :) That's a good guy!!

17 Perth said...

You poor thing!! Oh my gosh!! I cannot even imagine and I hate hate hate that all that happened to you!! Augh. What a day. So glad it all ended up okay..but no doubt I would have been freaking out too!

Lauren said...

how awful! Elyse always wants to play with my keys as well and she's locked the car on me...but thankfully another door was still standing open! I about had a heart attack that time...I can't even imagine how you were feeling as she was inside so upset!

Linzi Scarsella said...

We all still love you! We all make mistakes, and then we learn!
So glad baby Mia is ok and happy!
xoxo

#mommylife said...

did you find out why it locked?! my car is the same way and lol now i'm afraid i'll do it too!

Cece @Mahogany Drive said...

That does sound awful! Of all the times...that one time you forget to pay your cell phone bill. The universe was conspiring against you! Don't feel too bad. It happens. Even to the best of moms. My sister once locked herself out of the house with my baby nephew in the house alone. She had to call the fire dept!

Unknown said...

You poor thing!! Oh my gosh!! I cannot even imagine and I hate hate hate that all that happened to you!! Augh. I bet your heart was racing the whole time. At least she was safe and warm inside the car. You were both just scared that you couldn't get to each other.

Regards,
Diaper Bags

Courtney [Sweet Turtle Soup] said...

That is awful! Downright miserable, and so scary. Sh*t happens but it turned out just fine, but I would have been a chicken with my head cut off too if the same had happened. Don't be too hard on yourself.

Ashley Brickner said...

Total freak accident, keep your head up!!!! To make you feel better, I'll admit I locked waverly in the car when she was one month!!!!!!! Only worse, it was hot as hell out!! It was awful so I feel your pain!!!! To this day, I'm petrified to close the doors even when the keys are in my hand. ;)

Lauren {at} Life.Love.Lauren said...

Ice cream usually does clear most things up! :-)

Tiffany said...

Oh my gosh honey!! I seriously want to come and hug you right now. I can only imagine how you felt. But it was just an accident and Mia is fine. I hope you aren't being too hard on yourself.

Amanda - Voyage of the MeeMee said...

Shit happens, sweetie! You're a PHENOMENAL mother!!!!!!!!!!

Vicki said...

You are a great Mommy!! No matter what. Bad things happen and we just have to deal with it and learn from it. Believe me, I've had my fair share of things happen to me that made me feel like a failure of a parent. I can't imagine how scared you must have been!! I would have been panicking just as bad!!

Vicki said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mrs. Miller said...

I'm so glad everything worked out... we're expecting our first baby any day (due in 3 weeks), and my hubby and I laughed about your story... I have no doubt similar stories are in our future.

Jess @Adventures in Ginger Mommyhood said...

Oh no! Don't feel bad, this happened to us this summer. Luckily it was a cold evening and Mike had started the car from his fob for the ac before Clay got locked in. We called AAA and they were there in TWENTY minutes! I was thoroughly impressed with them! Clay of course thought it was a game so he was laughing hysterically while Mike and I acted like crazy people!

Kayla Dolen said...

Omg I'm sorry mama!! We all have our different moments!! Baby girl loves you just the same;)

Boy, oh {mamas} boys

Janna Renee said...

Don't judge yourself!! Almost every parent I know, INCLUDING my own grandmother has locked a kid in the car! You are an amazing mom, and you got it all figured out. Mia wasn't in danger, and now you have it all figured out to avoid problems in the future. This will be a GREAT story once you can begin to laugh about it ;)

Nicole @ Haute Runner said...

How stressful!! Don't be so hard on yourself- Mia was safe and warm.

This is good to know though. My SUV has the same key system and I always leave my keys in my purse/diaper bag since I don't need them to open the doors or start the car. I'm pretty sure I've tried locking it before with the keys in it, and it just beeps at me because it senses them inside the car. Glad it all worked out in the end.

Court said...

So I am finally catching up on blogs. First of all. Love all the new years updates. Those fam pics of you in the red shoes? Holy smokes hottness!!! Anyways. I am SO SORRY this happened. No way I would have been able to be rational. Sounds like you handled things pretty perfectly given the circumstances. You are the best mom ever and the good news is... Mia wont remember what happened! :) Hopefully you can look back and laugh a little... and be proud of how you handled it without throwing a rock through the window. :) Love you mama!!!

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