Who is Andy?

Family and friends have asked me this question on numerous occasions?  Well, Andy is a multi-talented little being.  He is kryptonite when I desperately need my son, Carson, to release something from his superhuman grasp.  He is also a healer.  When Carson is suddenly stricken with the limp-legged affliction that causes the bones and muscles in a toddler's legs to turn to mush and inevitably, him to fall in a heap on the floor, Andy is the antidote.  When my hands are full and Carson decides to dart towards the street, the mere mention of the name "Andy", will make him stop on a dime and return to my side.  Basically Andy is my Ace-in-the- hole.  When warnings of "time outs" or other toddler torture don't suffice or when I have exhausted all of the tools in my parenting bag of tricks, Andy is who I call on.

When I offer the explanation of Andy, it is usually met with laughter, pats on the back, a few "whatever works!", and general praises for my unique parenting weapon.  On a few occasions I have received an "Aaaaawww", as in "poor Carson", or a lengthy silence that I can only assume is the person mentally adding my son to his/her prayer list or them making a note to email Andy's story to Dr. Phil.  I was also told "He is just showing his emotion".  Great!.....I'm all for that.  I want him to let it out.  There are just times when I would rather him wait a minute until we got in our truck to let it rip.

I realize I won't be receiving any "Mother of the Year" awards for Andy, but sometimes he is just necessary.  Honestly, have you ever tried reasoning with a headstrong 2 year old boy?  And have you actually heard the nonsense that flows from your mouth when you do?........."Yes, I see it has wheels on it, but that doesn't mean you need to push it.  I think the sweet little lady that is trembling would like you to leave her wheelchair alone"....."Yes, it looks like a sword, but you need to stop swinging it and hand it back to her husband.  He needs it to walk with.  Besides he looks like he might bruise easily."....."Oh, WOW!  that is a beautiful $250 hand blown Italian glass platter!!!  I need us to stop playing tug of war with it, so I can sit it down.  Gently down."  In every instance, Andy came to the rescue without any elderly people being harmed and without me purchasing Italian glass and carrying it home in a ziploc bag.  Andy has saved the day quite a few times, all without a hint of a temper tantrum, which can be catastrophic.  Carson has had a strong set of pipes on him since the day he was born.  This became evident to John and I when the nurses burst through our hospital door, like a SWAT team in baby blue and pink scrubs, as John was changing Carson's diaper for the first time. They must have thought that we had dropped him or something.  He is just THAT loud!  So, in an effort to protect the public's hearing, I will simply say "Andy"...Peace is restored.   I don't call upon Andy's powers on a daily basis, only when he is truly needed.   

I am including a photo of Andy.  The horrid, wretched Andy that can make a shiny little halo magically appear above my son's head in a split second.  WARNING- it is not for the faint of heart.  Scroll down to see my friend and Carson's adversary.

.

.

.

.

CUE SCARY MUSIC!

.

.

.

.

Scary, huh?  He sings and dances, too.  Love will keep us together is his song.