Shoes

Your eyes were fixed on my pink sandals as I put them on for the first time. When we came back home from our outing, I took them off, and went about barefoot, as I usually do. You brought back my sandals, and in your expressive sign language, asked me to put them on again. I did, and took them off. You asked me to put them on again, and again. Then you made me follow you to a place where I had another pair of shoes, and asked me to put those on, repeatedly.

Your insistence on shoe wear was new and interesting. I told you that you had shoes too, took you to your room and opened the drawer where we keep them. We rarely put shoes on you, because it's recommended to let babies be barefoot. You were happy to see your shoes, and asked me to put them on you, both the pink pair and the white. Next day your fascination with shoes continued. Papa and I were surprised that you wanted to wear shoes, since you opposed to anything restricting, such as hats, bracelets, hair ribbons, and up until now, shoes! Given your interest, and your newly developing walking skill, I decided to take my baby shoe shopping. The pairs you have at home are soft, and are more for show.

So there we were, at the mall, yesterday morning, with a mission to get you your first pair of walking shoes. To my astonishment, each pair cost $40, plus tax, lets not forget. In an act of conspiracy, all stores charged the exact same amount for baby's first walking shoes, which will be worn no more than a month or two. I selected 2 pairs for you to choose from. You seemed to like both, so we picked the one more summery. Mostly white, with light pink accent. Very cute. Then I pictured myself a month from now, packing the shoes away, barely used, and coming to the store to buy another pair. I reviewed my budget, my emotion, my reason, and the amount of mother's guilt I could handle. I left the store, thinking to come back in a month. As we walked around the mall, I pictured your excitement about wearing shoes and the way you look at other girl's shoes. I wondered if I would be a bad mom if I didn't get you the shoes. Would you be ok with walking with your soft sole shoes? Would I be damaging your feet? Would you think your shoes aren't as nice as what other girls are wearing? I had no answers to any of my questions. Half an hour later we were back in the store, buying the overpriced shoes with typical Chinese workmanship. It makes you so happy to wear them.