As a side note, I do in fact take Owen out. We go to Target, Sonic, the bank, the library, Blockbuster (you get the point). I really don't know why the grocery store is any different. When we do go to public places, he always stays in his stroller and never rides in a shopping cart. Again, germ phobic.
Okay, I actually can explain why the grocery store is completely different! Have you ever tried to grocery shop with just a stroller, no grocery cart, an oxygen tank and feeding pump? If you have, you know exactly what I mean when I say that there is very little space to put your groceries. I wish I had a camera with me to document how I had stuffed cans, produce and cereal boxes all around him utilizing every bit of space I could find.
We were stopped (too many times to count) by our fellow shoppers asking "what happened to your baby?" I smile and say he needs a heart and try my best to politely move on and out of there. No such luck. My response is usually followed up with "is the heart waiting for him already? Where does the heart come from? Why can't they use a pig heart?" and too many to list. A 15 min shopping trip easily turns into an hour.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE me a good conversation with strangers, but I just wanted to get Owen out of there and home.
We got to the checkout and I unloaded the stroller which was impressive as it filled up an entire shopping cart when bagged. Owen kept saying "ba-ba-ba-BA-BA" and consistently got louder and louder. When I finally realized what he wanted... a balloon, I was already done paying for our groceries. The Manager came over with a green balloon and strapped it on his wrist. Again, I wish I had my camera to document the excitement on his face when he realized the balloon was his balloon.
When we got home, after slathering Owen in sanitizer, Owen played with his balloon for an hour.
I don't know how the balloon survived the biting and pinching, but it did. Until this morning when we woke up and it was shriveled into a little ball the size of a raisin. Thank you green balloon for an hour of fun on a Wednesday afternoon. Maybe we'll go on another grocery store adventure next week.
16 comments:
I've been grocery shopping for just a few items with just a stroller and that's a feat, so I can't imagine what you go through! Way to go, though!
And isn't it funny how much joy kids get from a little plastic and helium?
I can see why going to the store would be so hard, your a trooper for trying...and you succeeded :) He is just such a cutie pie, I love the pictures!!!
Oh I'll bet people stop you a lot with that little cutie...but I know the feeling of 'I've gotta get out of this place now!'
Owen I'd give you a free balloon too...you are too cute to resist little man!
The pictures of Owen with the green balloon are terrific! Funny how a balloon can make our kids so happy--happier than one of those expensive toys! LOL You must have great organization skills and awesome spatial abilities to stuff that many groceries in a stroller. :-)
Oh my GOODNESS!!!! I swear I just can't contain it he's so cute and sweet.
It's difficult for me to go shopping with my kids alone and I don't have to lug all that stuff so I totally feel for you. Have you tried one of those cart covers for him to sit in so he's not directly in the cat and touching the handle? I think they're called Floppy Seats or something like that. Wouldn't help lugging all the stuff you have but it would keep him from touching everything on the cart the entire time.
In my thoughts I am sending little Owen a million green balloons filled with good wishes and prayers.
I remember when my son loved "boons"
and tinker toys.
I wish people weren't so nosy, but I'd stop him in the store too just to see his smile.
Your a good mommy for keeping him germ free ;)and happy.
Stay cool!
That's a GREAT story! Those photos really show his joy!
Barbara
Thanks for sharing...I can feel how happy the balloon must have made Owen and Owen's mommy when his simple wish was fulfilled. So glad he enjoyed it and that we (your readers) got to share in his pleasure!
Oh yeah...you're not a germaphobe with those shopping carts...because I do to the same thing (10-month old in stroller pushed by my 4-year-old, make 3-year-old walk while I touch the unsanitary shopping cart) and I'm certainly not a germaphobe! LOL
On XM Radio they play the cutest song by Lunch Money called "It only takes one night to make a balloon your friend." I just love it! It really turns around the sadness of waking up to a sad, deflated balloon. Here is a link to a short section of the song. Now I will think of Owen and his green balloon every time I here it.
http://mog.com/music/Lunch_Money/Dizzy/It_Only_Takes_One_Night_to_Make_a_Balloon_Your_Friend
How sweet that the manager gave him the balloon! I can completely relate with the fact that it can occupy a child for hours!
On a side note, I've been reading your blog (okay, lurking to be exact) for awhile now, and had somehow never noticed until today that your daughter and I share the same name :) What a fun thing to discover!
Continuing to pray for your sweet little man :)
He is SO cute!! I love your description of the grocery store "experience"! :)
Your not a germaphobe! I promise, I hate taking Kylie to the store also, we do the no cart only stroller thing too. I dont have the 02 and pump, but trying to fit your stuff in the stroller, with people looking at you like your stealing is not fun! I try to take the boys so they can help. Balloons are so fun. Kylie will be 1 on the 2nd, time has gone by so FAST! Glad you guys are enjoying your time. I can't wait for our alone time, its going to be weird having both boys in school. How is Kamryn feeling? Poor girl strep throat and starting school is no fun!
I don't know why this post made me cry more than others...maybe it's the fact that other people really do care, but don't know how to express it. Maybe the fact that such a simple request was noticed by the manager. Anyway, thanks for sharing. Yes, people out there do care-even if we do get tired of explaining things at times and wish we could just "run in the store and get what we want." Sounds like a good opportunity to put a plug in for organ donation.
BALLOONS ROCK!!! I totally agree with Owen and am glad for the joy and entertainment one can bring to a day.
I also have to chuckle at the comments people make. It's all well-meaning, but sometimes I want to say, "A PIGS HEART!!?? Eureka!! All the best heart docs in the world have been losing sleep over how to help my son and they overlooked that! Thank you, Mrs. StrangerintheGroceryStore! That program you watched on the Learning Channel really made the difference."
Keep laughing your way through it when you can...and keep a few balloons handy just in case.
Oh, I HATE the stranger comments! It is so hard to not be polite when strangers want to try and touch your baby with feeding tubes and oxygen and all.... we still can keep Grant in the car seat on the rare late night occasions when Grant gets to go to a store... I always feel paranoid every time someone even clears their throats! Sheesh. I love that store manager though. That would earn my business!
I am dying to hear about the echo Tuesday! You know I will be texting you. I LOVE the grocery store story. I hate the grocery store and I don't even have Ethan with me. I always see somebody I know who always asks a rediculous question, like "so is Ethan better yet?". I often have to give a smile and keep walking out of fear I might say something rude. However I know most people understand and there prayers are irreplaceable.
Love-
Heidi
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