I went to see Catching Fire with Mike! Yes. An adult movie. With a 5 month old. And no mean glares!
Before S and I got married we went to the movies all the time. After we got married, we went less often, but it was still something we enjoyed. In fact, we saw quite a few movies right before Mike was born. I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss seeing movies in a theater. Enter The Angelika Film Center located in new Mosaic District in Fairfax, VA.
My UU friend Rebekah mentioned that she went to a ‘cry baby’ showing of a film when Miss Vin was just a few weeks old. My ears perked up and I did some quick research. Theaters around the country realize that parents want to see movies and don’t always want to pay for a babysitter. Or stay-at-home parents need something to pass the cold days. When Rebekah invited Mike, our mutual friend Jessica and her little one Miss Sarah, to join her to see Catching Fire – I couldn’t say no. I love me some Peeta.
I was a little anxious – what if Mike cried? What is he pooped? What if he acted like a BABY?! But the rational side of me knew it would be a theater full of babies who cry and poop, so away we went. I made sure I had bottles, pacifiers, my Baby K’Tan and wore my teething necklace. In reality I seriously over packed.
When we walked in, I had Mike in the wrap and we were greeted with dozens of women pushing strollers, drinking coffee from the ‘gourmet snack bar’. We got our tickets and went up to the theater. Sidebar: If you go to the Angelika, all seats are assigned. Which is really nice!
Inside the theater it was like a parking lot of strollers and parents chatting. The lights weren’t out, but dimmed just enough to see the movie, but not enough that I couldn’t find a bottle in my diaper bag. Also, the sound was lower than usual, but it wasn’t noticeable right away.
Mike was very curious about everything – the babies around us, the screen, the lighting fixtures …. he had his bottle, I went to change his diaper and he snuggled right in and slept the rest of the movie. A pro! And yes, babies around us were fussy, but as any momma will tell you, if it isn’t your baby, it’s just background noise. No one was hysterical or fussy for long. I left feeling rejuvenated and like an adult who did an adult thing.
Here are my tips for a cry baby movie:
- Pack accordingly, but don’t over pack. Bring the usual stuff (diapers, bottles, etc) and a small toy and pacifier
- Wear your baby. Seriously, I saw so many wraps and it makes sense
- Bring a teething/nursing necklace, I like these
- Prepare to miss some of the movie to walk a fussy baby or change a diaper
I only got one good picture from the event – Jessica needed to use the bathroom before leaving, so I got to hold Miss Sarah. Mike was quite smitten!
