hard times, rising prices

We had to go to Kroger this morning. It was an ill-timed trip, too close to Reese's nap, and I needed too many things that were not "usual" shopping items. I set us up for failure.

Let me confess; I love to go to the grocery. I organize my list by aisle and I shop in an organized manner- once a week. Lofton and I are having Rich and Ashley over tomorrow, so to save myself from having to go back to the store on Monday, I decided to do all my shopping this morning. Huge mistake.

I had to buy stuff for next week, stuff for tomorrow, and I'm making crock-pot Mongolian Beef for dinner with homemade egg rolls. Bottom line: I needed LOTS of stuff.

If you know me, you know I like to grocery shop early in the mornings so I can avoid seeing anyone I know. I don't like idle chit chat when I'm trying to get stuff done. I am easily annoyed.

Obstacle number one this morning occurs as I'm trying to buy some rolls. A few men are re-arranging the display and discussing when school starts this year. August 8th? 6th? They aren't sure. One of the men catches my eye. I smile politely and he jumps right on in to my business.

Aren't you a teacher at Northside? My daughter went there. When does school start?

{Great I think. Do I know you? Have you heard bad things about me?} Yes sir, I am. I believe school starts on the 10th of August this year.

He then wants to tell me about his daughter that was in fifth grade last year, who really struggled in school, and now wants to be home schooled. He hates the middle school and thinks 8th graders should be kept far, far away from 6th graders.

Okay. I just want some rolls. Not a convo on the state of Opelika City Schools.

Incident number two was major. We have been in the store for almost an hour. Reese is rubbing his eyes and growling at me around his pacifier. Classic signs that he is T-I-R-E-D. There is ONE check out line open, the line is at least six people deep.

We wait patiently, me making the best funny faces and noises I can muster to keep Reese entertained. Finally, it's our turn! Normally, I am vigilant about watching the groceries being scanned. You'd be surprised at how many mistakes people make. Today, I was a little occupied with my sleepy son.

Imagine my surprise when the lady told me me total was $240. WHAT?!?!?!? I quickly scanned the receipt and realized she had charged me for 71 bunches of celery at a cost of $132. Even worse, she didn't know how to fix her mistake. It took another ten minutes of number punching, calling for managers, and rescanning my card.

Unbelievable. And totally something that would only happen to me.

Happy Friday!

Nine Months

I am officially the mom of a nine month old. It's crazy.

A year ago this week we had our 4D ultrasound. We saw his sweet little face, his balled up fists, and his adorable button nose. Of all the pictures, these look most like our Reese, even one year later.

Seeing his face we were filled with such anticipation. Who would this little boy be? So many of those questions are being answered as we enter this new phase of his life.

I have said this so many times {so yawn if you wish} but this new phase of parenthood is so different. Reese is moving and learning and testing the boundaries of his world. It is fun and frustrating all at the same time.

I would love to be able to carry him around, protect him from falling and bruising that pretty face, but it's impossible. He is a man on the move. In the blink of an eye he can be standing up on the couch or pulling open a drawer. We are in full baby proof mode.

I love to dissect Reese's personality and think about which of his traits come from Lofton and which come from me. He is easily frustrated and easily irritated {like me}, but curious and flirtatious like his daddy. To illustrate what a perfect mix of us he is; Reese sleeps on his belly with his butt in the air {like me}, BUT with his arms above his head and his feet crossed {like Lofton}.

My favorite part of the day is getting Reese out of the crib in the morning. When he looks at me with his sleepy grin and lifts those long arms, I melt.

Happy 3/4 of a year, little man! I'm so blessed to be your Mama.

Nancy Drew

In my younger days, I wanted to be an FBI agent. I read a lot of books about serial killers and crime solving, and thus decided the FBI was a perfect fit. We even looked into a training camp in Virginia that high school kids could attend. There were a few flaws in my plan, though. Number one, I hate guns. Shooting one sends me in to a full blown anxiety attack. Number two, I scare easily.

Just one more career axed off the list of possibilities. Other’s? A marine biologist {I don’t like animals and I REALLY don’t like getting my face wet.} and pediatrician {Not such a fan of blood and I’m not so great at math and science.}

I digress.

Although my FBI career didn’t pan out, my desire to be a detective has not waned. I am quite clever and sneaky, and Lofton likes to boast that I can find anything on the internet.

That brings me to today.

Bright and early this morning, Reese and I headed out to our neighborhood Wal-Mart. {I know, I know, I hate Wal-Mart. BUT school supply season is upon us.} Driving down Opelika Road, we approached the light at Hardee’s {if you are familiar with the area this will help your mental picture}.

As I sat at the light, a Builder’s First Source truck turned onto the access road that leads to the restaurant. That’s odd, I thought. Surely Hardee’s isn’t receiving a delivery from the store.

The light turned green and Reese and I headed on our merry way. Wal-Mart was a bit of a disappointment. All of the school supplies were not yet out. Instead I bought a swing for Reese, some peanut butter cookie Luna bars, printer ink, and some Baby Mum Mum’s.

When we left Wal-Mart and headed home, I happened to notice the BFS truck was still at Hardee’s. Seriously?!?

What’s a girl to do? Call her husband, of course.

“Honey,” I asked, “Do y’all make deliveries to fast food establishments.”

“No Elizabeth, we don’t.” {He sounded very busy and not at all interested in my games.}

“Okay, because one of your trucks has been at Hardee’s for at least thirty minutes.”

Long story short... that driver is no longer an employee of Builder’s First Source. Do I feel guilty someone lost their job? Maybe a little. But I also feel like Lofton spends so many hours of his time cleaning up other people’s messes. He works harder than anyone I know, and when other people don’t do their jobs, he has to do them. That’s time away from my family, which is my priority.

Super sleuth, I am. I even offered to drive around tomorrow and see if I could catch other people wasting time on the clock. Just call me Nancy Drew.

missing

I've lost my words, they just won't flow. I'm trying to work on a nine month post... it's coming soon.

Until then, will you help me?

I'm missing my baby.

I looked across the table last night and saw this little boy--

He most definitely does NOT look like my baby.

Tear, sniffle.

kitchen aide

Fourth of July

Home.

Semi-unpacked? Check. Cleaned the house? Check. Washed the dogs and the baby? Check.

We got back around lunch today. It took us a little less than six hours to get home-- about the same as it took going. Today's return trip was much more successful because I rode in the backseat to keep little man entertained and did not get a migraine (which I did get on the way down, yuck).

We had a great time at my aunt and uncle's house. Reese was thoroughly amused by everyone. Lofton and I are at a loss now that we are here by ourselves.

I won't bore you with details of our trip. There was a lot of food, a lot of laughing, and some fireworks thrown in for good measure. The in-the-street-potentially-could-lose-a-hand-kind. Reese missed them. That early curfew is rough.

So what did we do for three days?

Read some books. This one is a favorite. Danny Duck is yellow and fuzzy.

Made some funny faces. Banana? Still not a fan.

Met a new friend.

Jeremy came to meet Reese. We have been friends since birth. We went to dinner with he and his sweet girlfriend, Emily, while my mom/aunt watched Reese.

Chillaxin at the pool.

The Fourth of July stud. How much do you love the hat?

the part

Last week Lofton and I were talking about Reese's hair. It's wild and most of the time totally out of control. I try to brush it right when he gets out of the tub. That's the only chance i have on taming the faux-hawk.

I had gotten his hair brushed and was reading him a story when Lofton came in with his bottle. He gives us a funny look and says that something is wrong with Reese's hair. I can't tell that there is anything wrong so I asked for clarification.

Lofton tells me Reese's hair is parted on the wrong side. No it isn't, I tell him. Reese's hair parts on the left. That's not right Lofton says, his hair {Lofton's} parts on the left, therefore all hair parts on the left. What?!?!

Every one's hair, Lofton? Really?

My husband is a nut.

Sweet baby boy, with his crazy hair, snoozing in our bed this morning.