You know what this reminded me of? Switching to driving automatic transmission after driving nothing but manual for years. I can't tell you how many times I would approach a stoplight or stopsign and press the "clutch" (brake) down with my left foot, and suddenly I had a very clear understanding of the taste of a dirty dashboard.
It's all in the neural pathways and "muscle memory." Unless you're actively thinking about what you're doing, your brain takes over all activities that you've done a thousand times. They say practice makes perfect. Yeah, no. "They" say too many things imho. Practice makes auto-pilot.
I'm happy you shared your embarrassment with us. If we can't laugh at ourselves... I don't know how that's supposed to end. How about: If we can't laugh at ourselves, well then I guess we're just a bunch of doodie heads. Wow. I need some adult time away from toddlers...