January 19, 2012
I have an irrational fear of taking Elijah anywhere that I'd have to put his car seat in a grocery cart. I tried it once at the PX, on our first outing after Brandon deployed. I ended up walking on the side of the cart pushing it with one hand while the other one held Eli steady. After I got inside and out of the elements I tried to adjust the car seat again. Fail. It just didn't fit. So I ended up putting him in the big part of the cart, wobbling around until I surrounded him with towels (that luckily were on my list). Embarrassing. I felt like I was wearing a sandwich board that said "New Mom: She Has No Clue". I know that no one was watching and judging (at least I hope not), but I felt on display.
I decided to try again. I went to Walmart last night with determination! I had a short list and if I hurried I could get everything before Eli woke up and went into full meltdown mode when he realized he was in his car seat. I parked near the cart return, took a deep breath, and got out of the car. I managed to get Eli into the cart, more securely than at the PX, only to find that Walmart's carts are a little taller than other carts. And I, being a hobbit, could not see over the car seat once it was in the cart. How do people shorter than 5'7 see over the car seat? I had to power through, going slowly, and only running into 2 people. Both very gracious and understanding. One man's response was "It's okay, it's Walmart." Loved it.
I proud of myself for completing the shopping trip, but does anyone else have this problem? Or any suggestions for solutions? I welcome any and all advice. Anything to decrease my fear of grocery carts.
Umm, when I was at walmart and had my baby seat up there, I turned around to pay, and when I turned back around, I knocked the cart and my baby seat was falling to the ground. Luckily I have cat like reflexes, so i caught it. But I was terrified. So now, I put his whole car seat INTO the shopping cart. And I put all the groceries around him. It is awesome :) But, I'm not as scared. PS. do you know we are naming our adopted boy Elijah, and calling him Eli? :)
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