Park, play and another word that starts with p...

There are many things we feel lucky about daily living here. The lake, the lush greenery, the wildlife, the quiet and also, we are lucky for the park, and playground behind our home. Our fence backs directly onto this park; we go there often.

I picked her up to carry her through the branches and natural mulch of the park floor, as she wasn't wearing any shoes and into the playground we strolled. I inhaled the scent of the outdoors, fresh grass, dew soaked leaves; some other odd, rather unpleasant smell that I shrugged off.

Putting her down I immediately clutched my camera which was laced around my neck and began to take photos of her. She clambered over the foot high barrier of the playground, inspected some bark chips and moved on quickly to the playground itself. The smell lingered in the air - the smell of the wild I supposed, there were many animals that did their business here.

Rio continued to run about, climbing up the stairs of the fort and through the tunnel to the slide. The fleeting stench wafted around us still, it seemed close. I checked the slide to ensure she wasn't about to land in a nasty surprise; no, clear. Good. I pushed aside the smell, snapping more photos of my little babe, watching as she sat, gearing herself up to head down the slide. On her tummy she'd decided, her head facing the top. She smiled cheekily as she let go of the sides and slowly inched down, her dress riding up bit by bit as she did so, giggles filling the silence. Walking around to the bottom of the slide I let the camera rest on my chest and put my hand out to help her sit up, her dress had ridden up high so her stomach was bare against the plastic of the slide.

And then I saw it.

Her white pants, a recent gift from her Great Nana Jenny in New Zealand, were streaked with two tell-tale, dark, crescent shaped marks near the seat of her nappy. The aroma as I neared assaulted my senses and confirmed by suspicions. My eyes watered. My nostrils involuntarily snapped closed.

I picked her up timidly, I blinked, held my breath and peaked inside the nappy.

Everywhere! It. Was. Everywhere.

My daughter, kitted out in the newest, sweetest, whitest outfit she owns, had pooped... everywhere.

We sprinted home for clean up. Rio at arms length chuckling to herself like she'd planned it. That'll teach me for putting a baby in new, white clothing after labour day, or ever! Lesson learned. Sorry Nana!