Changing Station?

Today I was at the library with Baby J when I caught that familiar, foul odor of a poopie diaper. I scooped her up into my arms and made my way to the men's room. To my befuddlement, there was no changing table there. Next, I went and found the family bathroom in the children's section but there wasn't a changing table their either.

I happened to see the custodian walking by so asked him if there was a changing table somewhere in the building. He told me it was in the ladies' room. He even offered to wait outside so no one would go in.

For me, the ladies' room might as well be another dimension, a parallel universe where the rules I've always understood no longer apply. And I don't think I'm the only guy who feels this way. When men go to the bathroom, we keep eyes forward, we don't talk to anyone, and we get out as soon as possible. But in the ladies' room, as far as I can tell, it's a social experience. They go in together. They linger. They talk to each other. I've even heard reports that some ladies' rooms have decorative little sitting areas.

Like I said, another dimension.

So it was with a mix of trepidation and wonder that I entered the ladies' room at the library in search of the fabled changing table. Luckily, I had the whole place to myself which excused my from embarassing interactions with startled ladies. I tried to be quick and keep my eyes forward like I would in the men's room so I didn't get a good look around. I can tell you, at the very least, that I did not see a sitting area. And I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little disappointed by this.

Anyway, when I finally got Baby J on the table and in position, I removed her diaper to see that she was totally clean. It had all been a false alarm. A deceptive baby fart masquerading as the real deal!

So, what can we learn from today's experience? Babies sometimes have nasty farts. There is no sitting area in the ladies' room at my local library. Also, childrearing is typically associated with women and thus public buildings do not always provide changing stations in both bathrooms. It's a woman's world - I'm just changing diapers in it.

Listening To: Be a Bright Blue by Saxon Shore