Micayla and I try to wait for Hudson at the front window when he's close to being home. I talk about the grass and flowers and birds and trees that we can see from our front window, and then we talk about Daddy coming home. He carpools with a professor that also lives in our neighborhood, so we know when he's home by the red car that pulls up in front of our mailbox. And she grins beyond belief when she sees that it is Daddy coming home. So I thought I'd grab a couple of pics of her waiting on Daddy. Sounds like a good country song title, doesn't it?
So I headed to the local Wal-mart this a.m., mainly because I'm cheap and the formula we use is slightly cheaper than at my favorite store. And as I was making Micayla's bottle last evening, I recognized that, in fact, the box of formula I was using was the last one we had, contrary to my belief that there was still one more in the pantry. So, feeding the baby necessitated a trip out this morning. (And since she still abhors anything that resembles solid food yet, we can't really go without it.) So, both girls got dressed and ready to go. (We also had one other errand to James Avery, but that will have to have a separate post.)
So, we got to the Wal-mart, and I parked close to a buggy corral (is that what they are called?) so that I could grab a buggy and put Micayla's buggy protector seat in it before loading her into the buggy. I, of course, got the buggy that required my arms to continually pull it to the left so that it wouldn't begin making circles to the right...and I didn't realize this fact until I was well on my way from the parking lot to the store. Oh well, at least my arms got a good workout trying to corral the buggy into going in a straight line. I think some shoppers behind me believed I'd had a little too much to drink the way I was swerving. (Side note: if you know me, you know I don't drink at all, unless it is water, Dr. Pepper, or sweet tea, so my appearing that I'd maybe had too much to drink would actually be induced by too much sugar.)
Back to the real post. I had my list, Micayla was happily chewing on the strap that attaches her to her buggy protector (for real, what are those things called?), and we were off. I'm preparing a meal for a girl in our SS class who recently had her third baby, so I had to pick up a few ingredients along the way to the formula. Because Wal-mart isn't my favorite place in the world, and especially the one I went to this morning (it's always crowded), and I was trying to fight the buggy into actually going the direction I wanted it to go in, I decided to grab the formula first. Now, I've bought formula enough times in the last 7 1/2 months to know where it is in various stores: Target, it's on the same aisle as the diapers and baby food, not in the grocery section, but real close; Sam's, it's on the same aisle as the diapers and soap; and Wal-mart, it's on the same aisle as the diapers (is there a theme here?) and at the very back of the store. So, I happily made my way through the thousands of people towards the back of the store to pick up the formula. And when I arrived at my chosen destination, I saw all kinds of liquid formula, but none of the powdered variety that we use. What? Did someone believe that formula was going to stop being made? Did our town have a decomom (um, that would be a mom with 10 babies) that no one knew about? Where could the powdered formula be? And then I saw a sign.
Powdered formula is available at Register 19.
Why on earth did they move the powdered formula to Register 19? What is so special about Register 19 that formula had to be moved there? So, the plans of picking up the formula first were scratched and I headed to get the 10 items that I needed in the grocery section. And then I had to go the housewares section because the Iced Tea Maker that we received 8 years ago as a wedding gift bit the dust yesterday. And, as mentioned above, we drink sweet tea in our house, and yes, I can make it the old fashioned way, but no, I don't want to. (And on a side note, the new one I purchased was $15.00..so score for the Wal-mart's low price on that one.)
I digress, again. So I headed to Register 19, with a child who is becoming just the slightest bit cranky, because it was nearing her lunch time. Now, Register 19 is not one of the self-checkouts that I prefer to use (because really, I can scan and bag and pay it faster than the regular registers.) I think it might have said "express" but who really counts their items before they get into an express lane (well, I confess, I do, and I will change lanes if I have 21 items and it says "20 items or less", but I'm not sure that anyone else does.) (I'm rambling today...I haven't had much adult communication lately and that's what I'm going to blame this on.) So, there I am, in line at Register 19, with no formula in sight. This is getting ridiculous. I just need formula people (well, and the iced tea maker)! My baby is hungry (cue Micayla's not quite screams, but certainly not happy sounds)! Where is the formula?
And then I see it. Lined up perfectly in a row...Similac, Enfamil, Wal-mart brand. Powdered formula. Sitting right next to your choice of cigarettes. What? Why on earth is the formula now kept next to the cigarettes?
So I asked the kind lady for a box of the formula we use, and you would think I was going to have to show my ID in order to purchase it (is the unhappy child not enough?). She got it for me, I placed my other items on the conveyor belt, and casually asked, "why was the powdered formula moved from the other formula?" She then said that the powdered formula had always been kept on Register 19, next to the cigarettes. Now, I realize that I don't sleep as well as I used to (picture sweet baby as reason), but I also know that I have walked into this Wal-mart, gone to the back and picked up formula. I kindly responded that I had, in fact, gotten the powdered formula in the back of the store just several weeks ago, and was just curious why it had been moved. She said that it was never kept back there, but always up here (Register 19), and that I must have seen it at a different Wal-mart. Because this Wal-mart has always had it on Register 19. Now people, if I can remember client sessions from over 2 months ago (and be able to write case notes about it), I can remember where I purchased my formula from, and it has never been on Register 19. (I only said this in my head, so don't worry that I was about to create a scene at Wal-mart.) So, there I was, appearing that I needed to purchase cigarettes (I have always avoided that aisle, btw), but in reality, just needing some formula. End of story. (Except that I might not buy formula at that Wal-mart again, because frankly, I don't want to have to ask for it. I want to go and get it myself. Cue Target's jingle here.)
I hope you liked my very un-eventful tale of finding formula with the cigarettes. I have a suspicion, that like cigarettes, formula has become a frequently shoplifted item at the Wal-mart, which necessitated the move to Register 19, but that's just my suspicion. I have no proof. (Except in my mind.) :)
On a completely different side note, I saw this video on another blog, and it was just a good reminder of how fast our babies grow up. Speaking of, mine just woke up from her 30-minute nap (what happened to the 2 hour nap that she was supposed to take?), so I should go and check on her. Hope you like it!
I've been lagging in posting pictures, but actually had time to do so today when Micayla agreed to a nap. So, here's some pictures of the last few weeks!
Easter Sunday.
Dad and daughter on Easter morning.
A proud mom!
Just playing...I'll confess now that I adore her in overalls...so cute!
Posing on the stairs. Speaking of stairs (actually, that should be "writing of stairs" I guess), the crawler has learned how to climb the bottom one, but stops herself there. I recognize that this won't last long, but we also have a problem--we wanted to install a baby gate to help prevent her from climbing, but we have two posts on either side of the banisters which, apparently, aren't condusive to hanging a baby gate. (We've already returned one that won't work.) Anyone have any other ideas? Anyone not used a baby gate on stairs and just watched their child like a hawk? I'm open to suggestions....We currently have a folding chair (folded up) laying against our coffee table in order to prevent her from continuously climbing through it. She likes to go over to it and try to wiggle her way in the couple of inches that are exposed. (I regret now taking this picture.) Other than fighting off another cold, and (me) trying to avoid getting it from her, we've been good. We survived the torrential downpour of 2009 without many problems (found out that we have a leaky window though), and have enjoyed our beautiful weather this new week already by washing my car and taking a 2 mile walk. We are so thankful that after the storms that come, God provides wonderful weather to remind us of His goodness. :) Hope you can get outside this week too! Hopefully, as naps cooperate with my week ahead, I'll be able to blog later this week.
My friend, Stephanie, did this on her blog and I thought it was super cute. And because we often get told how Micayla "fits" into our family, I had to try it out and see what the Look Alike Meter said.
Friday, April 3rd, was a big day for our family. We were going to court to finalize Micayla's adoption! After doing all the agency's requirements, along with the state's requirements, we had reached our day that Micayla would officially be given as our daughter. Granted, she was our daughter from the moment we saw her in the hospital on August 31, 2008, but adoption day was the "legal" finality of making her ours. I can't really put into words what I was thinking/feeling when we appeared before the judge, but it was so wonderful to promise to love her for the rest of her life, and to promise to take care of her. I was overwhelmed at the recognition that it was so easy for us to say that we would love her for the rest of her life, knowing that my God says the same thing each and every day about adopting me as His own. Humbled as a daughter of the King, proud as a mother of a precious gift in my own daughter.
Micayla and I waiting in the courthouse rotunda for court to be called into session.
Our swearing in. We were the third family to adopt that morning in this Judge's courtroom. He moved all the other cases (divorces, etc.) to another courtroom so that this morning was totally devoted to children becoming part of their "forever families."
Listening as Hudson responds to our attorney's questions regarding loving Micayla and taking care of her for the rest of her life. I was a proud wife and mom.
Taking a picture with our attorney and the Judge after the Judge signed the adoption decree that Micayla was ours.
A good family picture after the ceremony in front of the courthouse. It was a beautiful day and I was thankful that my sister Lisa flew out to be with us. She was a great photographer for us!
A celebratory lunch!
The Judge made the ceremony so nice by relaxing the rules and allowing people to take pictures and videotape each family as they made their child "official." He also gave each child a stuffed animal to help recognize the significance of the day. I was thankful that Micayla wasn't fussy at all--considering I woke her up at 6am, there was always the chance. And everyone commented on her dress! It was gift to her from my fellow therapists in my private practice here, and it was a perfect dress for a very special day. It is also the only dry clean only dress she owns. :)
We praise God for not only the ability to celebrate "New Life" in Him during this Easter week, but also for the "new life" that we were given in Micayla.
