Author: Shannon

I think that my favorite part of the day is the few minutes before each of Liam’s naps when we’re sitting in the rocking chair in his room, everything is quiet and still, and he nuzzles into me while falling asleep…

Liam had his 9 month (and some change) check up today.  His official stats are as follows:

Weight: 20lbs. 15oz (50th percentile)

Height: 29.5in. (90th percentile)

Head: 10.25in. (75th percentile)

He’s basically following the same track he’s been on since birth quite nicely (despite the fact that everyone who sees him comments on how big he is..).  Everything else checked out well and although we’re going back for a flu booster next month, beyond that it doesn’t look like we will have to go back until the end of the year (fingers crossed).

As many of you know–I’ve been playing The Grocery Game over the last several months.  I shop at both Kroger and Publix since both are about 2 minutes from our house and each seems to have better prices on particular items that we use on a regular basis.  What I’ve found is that basically Kroger has slightly better everyday prices on most of the things we use but that Publix has much better sales when things are on sale.  The biggest gap between the two (at least the two stores near my home) is that shopping at Publix is generally a pleasant experience and Kroger has almost non-existant customer service.  Today’s example of this is exasperating because I have to go back out in the rain with my nine month old after his nap to correct someone else’s mistake.  I checked out at Kroger and used several coupons, all of which were scanned by the cashier (who said nothing to me at the time to indicate that anything didn’t scan and kept all the coupons I handed him, which also generally means that they were successfully used), and then we ran out into the rain trying to get in the car as quickly as possible.  I usually stick the receipt in my pocket so I can look at in the car (because of previous issues with it being charged too much), but today I stuffed it in a bag as I was loading everything.  When I got home I realized that three of my coupons were not honored–totalling $4.10.  Now this is not a lot of money, but when you consider it as a percentage of my total bill and the fact that I only bought the items I did because they were on sale and I had a coupon in addition, you’re talking about a fair amount of money.  I guess it’s partly my fault for not checking the receipt when I got in the car (there’s just no way anymore to check things as they’re being run through because with Liam around I’m generally loading everything slower than the cashier is ringing it up)–but when I called I got a fair amount of attitude from the “customer service” person who answered the phone and my guess is that I’m going to get it again when I go back this afternoon.  My gut reaction is to say that this was the straw that broke the camel’s back and that I’m done with Kroger–but that feels a bit like cutting off my nose to spite my face–on the other hand I don’t like to give my money to a store that has such a sorry excuse for customer service.

Thoughts?  Suggestions?

ETA: I just got back from the Kroger (where I was given $4.10 in cash, thanks very much!) and I learned several things:

1: There is at least one nice person working at the customer service desk in the Kroger near our house.

2: You do, in fact (and contrary to the belief of some people I know…), catch more flies with honey…

3: Liam apparently thinks that pouring rain is hilarious.  Now this could be due to the fact that in his 9 months of living he’s never seen it rain beyond a sprinkle, but still–it was pretty entertaining to watch.

If you are:

A) Feeding your child in a seat that’s attached to the table

and

B) The table is covered with plastic bags

and

C) Your child enjoys the crinkling sound that plastic bags make when they move

and

D) Your child is currently mastering cause and effect

and (possibly most important)

E) Your child is Liam

The only conceivable result is a child who is bobbing and weaving at such a frantic pace as to ensure yogurt up his nose.  Which brings me to Parenting Lesson #858: Yogurt Sneezes are no fun for anyone involved.

Today we’ve had poop, blood, and vomit.  Nothing like a bodily fluid triple play to make a great Saturday!

Unfortunately I’m not referring to a movie.

This morning Liam had his first self-induced bloody injury.  I was sitting at the kitchen table and he was playing at my feet.  All of a sudden he face-planted and bit it (quite literally) on the hardwood floor.  He started screaming (‘bloody’ murder, of course) immediately and when I looked down I saw my precious boy with blood all over his hands and face.  At first I couldn’t figure out where the blood was coming from (and I never did find out exactly, because he wasn’t too keen on my rooting around to find the spot from which the blood was flowing) but as I began furiously wiping blood from his hands and face it became clear (especially after I took out the pacifier) that it was coming from his gums.  I know that there will be many more cuts and scrapes (especially, I’m afraid, with this kid) but I have a feeling that each one will hurt me in a different way–but just as much–as it does him.