Norah's first fit, I mean trip, to the grocery store.

So..I have been less than a perfect host the past few weeks (which I know you all say is understandable) but those of you that know me, know I have a hard time with this. I like being a host. Actually I like being a host if I can be a good one. Last weekend we had Ryan's grandparents, aunt, and parents coming in to town again. I had managed to get the sheets washed, but that's about it as far as house cleaning goes, I was too busy staring at Norah. But I decided the least I could do was fill our fridge up with something more than the expired yogurt, flat soda, and falling apart tortillas.

So, after Norah's morning feeding, I packed everything up and headed to Safeway. This was my first trip with Norah actually sitting in the front of the car, let alone driving the car. (Ryan has been our chaufeur for the last few weeks!) We made it successfully to the store, a whopping 3 miles away, with out a peep. The next part I had played over in my head many times, trying to figure out the ideal way to take her to the grocery with me. I decided I would do what I see most seasoned moms do and put her carseat on the top of the grocery cart. So I had it all planned out, I would park near a cart return so that I could get the cart by the car outside, so I could take my time getting the seat on the cart without looking like an idiot. It seems like it would be so simple, but until you are actually doing it, you pay little attention to how it's actually done.

So I managed to get the car seat on the grocery cart, I was a little nervous about it, because it didn't seem to fit well or seem to secure, but I was on my way into the store. I realized quickly that I am simply too short. In order for the canopy on the car seat to cover her, which I was insistent on, I could barely see over the top, so I had to walk on my tip toes and peek over the top or on the side, wow, I'm sure I looked so competent.

Once we got inside, I started grabbing groceries, paying less attention to price and brand than normal, knowing I may not have a ton of time here. After 1 aisle, Norah started crying. After 1.5 aisles, Norah was screaming. My usual method of shoving my pinky in her mouth was out of the question considering my pinky had just been on the grocery cart, (which I hear is dirtier than public toilets!) So I tried sshhing her, talking to her, smiling, etc. to no avail. I whip the hand sanitizer out of my diaper bag, sanitize, and try the usually fail proof pinky method. And, by this time we've made it 2 aisles, and Norah is not liking the pinky, and is hysterical. I stand on my tiptoes, (because I can't reach her otherwise) and take her out of the car seat. I try rocking her and giving her my pinky, and she wasn't having any of it. I am now keenly aware of what I feel are 10's of people staring at me thinking how crazy and incompetent I am with a teeny tiny baby, rocking her, singing, with my pinky in her mouth.

After a few minutes of this, I realize she is not going to settle down anytime soon. So I start contemplating how to escape. Do I dare try to checkout with what I have gotten so far? I decide I will only be more upset to get home with overpriced, not well thought out food. Should I try and put my 10 or so items back? No way. So I grab my diaper bag, throw it over my shoulder, hold Norah with one arm, grab the carseat with the other arm, and leave my cart right there in aisle two with all groceries in it and make a mad dash for the exit.

As we get to the car, I am frantically reaching for my keys to unlock the car, finally get the door open the car seat in, Norah set in the carseat, and miraculously the fit is over, and she is an angel the entire way home. Apparently Norah doesn't like grocery shopping either.

Wow. What a first experience out on my own with her. I felt like a walking comedy routine. I'm sure there will be many more stories like this to come as I venture into the world of being a new mother!

(Here are a few pics from her recent photo shoot! She was 11 days old here, and looked nothing like this on the grocery trip, ha ha!)