As he scaled the steps and entered the house, there was an immediate response from Bobby as he passed by the kitchen. “Mom! Jeffery really stinks!” Margaret stopped making dinner, picked up her new son and carried him back to the nursery. Jeff was dumped in his crib while Margaret went to start a bath. Jeff noticed his height had dropped since last night. Now he was eye level with the railing, it hadn’t been a huge loss in height but it was obvious the regression continued.
Margaret returned and gave Jeff a cursory cleaning before whisking him into the bathtub. While in the tub Jeff noticed he was not given the opportunity to wash himself instead Margaret went about the process of cleaning all the part of his body. Once finished he was rinsed, lifted out of the tub and wrapped in a towel. From there he was brought back to the nursery where he was diapered and placed in a new red sleeper.
From there he was brought downstairs and deposited in his new high chair. Now it was Susan’s turn to feed her baby brother. She tied a bib around his neck and proceeded to place pre-cut food in front of him on the chair’s tray. Jeff quietly began to eat his meal with his fingers getting half of the food on his bib and the floor. Jeff watched as the rest of the family sat down and proceeded to eat their food, he was very jealous that they had meat and potatoes while he was stuck with far less interesting foods. Then Susan sat down with a jar of strained food and proceeded to feed the semi-solid food to Jeff. After a couple of mouthfuls Jeff had enough of the substance but decided to bear the taste instead of making a fuss. Instead he would talk to Margaret about the baby food.
Jeff was finished eating the rest of the family also had completed their meal.
The kids proceeded to clean up the dishes while Margaret picked up Jeff and brought his to the living room. She sat down and rested Jeff in her lap and produced a baby bottle filled with warmed formula. Jeff eye’s grew wide at the site but wasn’t given a choice as the nipple was placed in his mouth and he instinctively started to pull the formula from the bottle. About half way through the bottle Margaret was called to the phone, leaving Jeff to sit on the couch watching the news.
Margaret returned to find a very cute little boy finishing off his bottle, she placed a towel over her shoulder before picking Jeff up and burping him. “Tim just called, apparently Professor Leahey is back from vacation and wants to meet with both of you. He didn’t have much information other than to be there for 10am.” Jeff was quiet excited by the news, hopefully his boss would have a solution to the regression.
Jeff sat back on the couch and eagerly awaited the news updates at the top of the hour, but just as they were about to begin his bladder started to warn him of an urgent need to use the bathroom. Torn between getting to the bathroom and missing the hour’s top stories was a too much for Jeff, he hadn’t watched, read or seen any news in a couple of days and as a self-declared news junkie he needed a fix. As the newscast began Jeff quickly looked around to see if anyone was watching, however he was safe from prying eyes. The little man rested back on the couch and relaxed as he peed in his diaper. For once he’d use his position to his advantage.
Soon bedtime came and he was taken upstairs, changed and hoisted into the crib. Margaret made sure he was tucked in with a couple of fuzzy stuffed bears to keep him company. As soon as Margaret left the room Jeff pulled a bear close to him, put his thumb in his mouth and drifted off to sleep.
Morning came and Jeff woke up to the sounds of his kids getting up and showering. Grabbing the bars he hoisted himself up to a standing position. Looking at the railing he let out a sign of relief as his chin was still the same height with the crib. At least for the moment it seemed like the regression had stopped. Jeff felt a little better about his situation however he was still small and unfortunately very wet. The smell of stale pee surrounded him however for the moment he wasn’t miserable just a little uncomfortable.
Margaret came charging into the room and lifted the little man on to the changing table and proceeded to change the diaper and get him dressed for his trip to the lab. After getting dressed, he was placed on the floor and left to toddle around the room. He made his way to the mirror, half way there he almost lost his balance but was able to hold on. Jeff grimaced at his lack of balance but knew that if he got any smaller it could be much worse. When arriving at the mirror a 15-month-old boy looked back at him. Even when looking at his reflection in the mirror he had a hard time accepting his new size.
Margaret picked him up and carried the toddler downstairs to the kitchen placing him in his high chair. Susan sat down in front of him and helped out by feeding him the baby his food. Finally Jeff was picked up and rested in Susan’s lap while he sucked on bottle.
After breakfast, the kids were sent off to school and Margaret was left to get her son ready for the trip to the lab. She packed his new diaper bag with lunch, diapers and extra clothes in case he made a mess. Soon they were both in the min-van and off to the lab. By the time they arrived Jeff was bubbling with excitement. Hopefully there was a plan to get him back to his normal age however if they were only able to get him partially restored it would be a success. Although being a baby had it’s moments, he had been uncomfortable with the change in age.
Soon Margaret parked the van and went around to the passenger door, removing Jeff and carrying him into the building. As they entered the building, Susan the gorgeous student almost ran over the two of them. Startled by the near collision she looked directly at Jeff and then at his mother, “Oh I’m sorry, I should have been looking where I’m going. You have a very cute son.” She tickled him under the chin then darted off down the hallway. Jeff thought she might recognize him for a minute however in his present condition is was unlikely.
Soon they entered the lab, where Tim was busy cleaning before the arrival of their boss. Tim poked his head up from behind the desk and stood there looking stunned at his diminutive lab mate. Jeff was stood on the ground and toddled over to Tim where the adult was still sitting there with his mouth wide open. “Be careful or you will start drooling like me.” Tim shook himself from the shock. “Uhh sorry I just didn’t expect to see you so young.” Jeff looked up at the giant in front of him. “I didn’t expect to be this age either.”
Tim picked up Jeff and placed the child on his lap. As Jeff sat down he felt his diaper squish underneath him. “Mom…Margaret!” Also noticing the state of the diaper Tim, patted the child on the shoulder, “ Margaret left the room a couple of minutes ago, let me take care of you. Don’t worry I used to change a lot of my bothers and sisters over time.” With that Jeff was hoisted up and place on the lab’s counter. Tim grabbed the diaper bag, opened it up and removed the necessary items.
“Tim, I don’t think it necessary for you to do this. I’m sure Margaret will be back in a minute.” Tim cut off his lab mate. “ Not to worry, I promise not to tell anyone. Lets get this diaper changed or that pee is going to stink.” With that Jeff was placed on the changing pad and laid on his back. The snaps on his pants made for quick entry and the next thing his diaper was off and his crotch and bottom wiped. With a new diaper fastened in place the process was finished. The last fasteners were attached and he gave the tot’s stomach a tickle sending Jeff into a laughing fit. “Oh pwease, no don’!” Jeff grimaced at his infantile speech. Tim smiled at his charge “Sorry buddy but I couldn’t resist with the way you look.”
“No problem but please try to keep the tickling to yourself…and thanks for the change.” Jeff said with a sense of relief. “Did the Professor mention if he had a solution to the regression.” Jeff said with an air of excitement. “Nope, I talked with his wife Michelle. She asked if we could both be in the lab today for a meeting. I’ve been trying to contact Leahey for a week but no success. If anyone can figure this out it’s the Professor.” With that the two scientists sat back and discussed their activities for the past week.
About 10 minutes later the unmistakable clicking of Michelle’s high heels could be heard as she approached the lab. Jeff carefully maneuvered his way off the chair and proceeded towards the door when he stopped dead in his tracks.
First Margaret walked in carrying his folded playpen looking a little shaken. “Jeffery, look who I ran into in the hallway.” Following behind her was Michelle who came into the lab dressed in a casual blouse and slacks; her long brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Walking into the lab she was pushing a stroller and was careful to avoid the experimental equipment stacked neatly beside the door. In the stroller was a 10-month-old boy in a white shirt with coveralls and little blue shoes. He was the epitome of cuteness as he sucked his thumb. Jeff looked up at Michelle, I thought your son was almost two?” She looked down at Jeff and gave a little smirk, “Our son IS two.” Jeff a little confused looked at the infant, “Then who is...oh no! Professor Leahey?”
- to be continued.