To Fireman Carry Or Not To Fireman Carry

Sunday, we spent the day hanging out with Aaron’s sister and her son in Abilene. We fully intended to head home around 6 that evening but it didn’t happen. As we drove through Cross Plains at 8:30 PM, I twisted in my seat to see Kiera.

“Ok, baby. It’s time to turn your movie off and try to go to sleep.” I said expecting grumbling. I was mildly surprised when she responded with a simple, “ok” and turned her phone off.

A few short minutes later and she was sound asleep. Aaron and I were exhausted and couldn’t wait to get home and go to bed. We made small talk on the way home and were both glad to see the lights of Brownwood as we came over the hill.

As Aaron stopped at a stoplight, I began to plan our arrival at home.

“Ok. So, how about when we get home, you go inside, let the dogs out, and get Kiera’s bed turned down. I’ll fireman carry her in and then put her in bed.” I stated.

Aaron glanced at me. I could see the puzzled look on his face in the glow of the red stoplight. “Why are you carrying her in?” He asked.

“Well, you’ve been working like crazy, you’re exhausted and I don’t want you to hurt your back.” I explained.

“I can fireman carry her in.” Aaron replied as the light turned green. “But, she’s old enough now we just need to wake her up and make her walk in. And if we try to fireman carry her, she is just going to wake up anyway.”

I stared at him as he drove. “But…”

“Honey, there is no sense in either of us carrying her in.” He continued on. “We will get her in the house and she can go back to sleep.”

I reluctantly agreed.

We pulled up in our driveway and I immediately hopped out and began to unbuckle Kiera as Aaron gathered our bags. “Baby girl, we are home.” I said in a quiet voice. “Let’s get inside so you can go to bed.”

She lifted her head, blinking her eyes slowly. “I need my boots on, please.” She stated holding her feet out towards me. I slipped her boots on her socked feet and helped her down from the truck.

We took two steps. Two steps, people. In those two steps, her eyes became clear and not sleep-glazed. She started talking about all the things we had done that day; not in a sleepy voice. Her tone was upbeat and precise as she talked.

Aaron opened the door, headed the dogs off and put them out back as we walked in the house. Kiera continued to talk.

“Honey, why don’t you go to the bathroom and then I will meet you in your room.” I said as I set my purse on the counter.

After a few minutes, I walked in Kiera’s room only to find her watching a movie. “Ki, it’s time for bed!” I exclaimed.

She sighed as she turned the movie off. “Ok. But, I don’t know that I can sleep.”

Parents, you know that feeling. It’s that moment where you know that you are not going to be climbing into your own bed anytime soon.

One hour later, I tiptoed to our bedroom, praying that she would stay asleep while debating the pros and cons of fireman carrying my child next time.

Rowonna McNeely works as the Communications Manager for the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce. She and her husband, Aaron are regular volunteers in the community, and have their hands full with their daughter, Kiera, along with three dogs and one cat.

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