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Thursday, July 10, 2008

WalMart is NOT for the Faint-hearted


Well, we've been to Walmart a couple of times since our last post. One of those times proved to be a more bearable experience. However, the other...well it proved to us that Walmart is not for the fainthearted. You see, it all began with what seemed to be some promising potential. We found the special cart right away and parked right next to the cart corral it was in. Grant had fallen asleep rather quickly in his car seat on the way over. And I, well, I, as usual, was as good as gold. So we made our way in. For the first five minutes or so...all was good. But, then it happened. Grant started crying. It was just a simple cry at first...nothing startling. Mommy offered him his pacifier; however, he wouldn't take it. This was a red flag. Mommy knew she had to hit the ground running before his innocent cry turned into an all out wail. It happened sooner than later. Before she made it to the milk he was screaming. And that's when we realized Walmart isn't for the faint hearted. Everyone it seemed was staring at us. . .and not a polite stare. It seemed as if it was a stare that glared into the soul of Mommy as if searching as to whether or not she was a fit mother. Mommy kept her gaze straight ahead...not giving in. Women tried to stop her and suggest she keep the cart moving and that would solve the problem. Mommy and I knew good and well that wouldn't stop the problem. The only thing that would stop the problem would be to get home and get him OUT of THAT SEAT. She didn't try reasoning..she kept her composure and pressed on. But then, out of the blue, came the women driving the motorized cart. She wasn't happy. She was saying something to us across the isle. We had no time to listen. However we would soon get that chance again. As for now, Mommy just moved on, throwing whatever she could into the cart. The list was no longer important. Eyes continued to glare at us. We managed to manuever through the sea of unwanted glances. We were thrilled to find a register that had no line. We raced to it thinking the worst was over. As we unloaded the cart a worker came to inform us that they could hear baby Grant all the way across the store (and you know how big a Super Walmart is). Mommy politely smiled and said he does have a set of lungs while thrusting everthing onto the conveyer belt. But then, we were reaquainted with the motorized grocery cart lady. She pulled up behind us with quite the scowl on her face. Mommy glanced up only to be confronted with this women's opinion of why he was crying. "Is something pinching him in his seat?" she said in an exasperated voice. I could tell Mommy was in no mood to reason with this women. Mommy abruptly informed her he has acid reflux and that he just doesn't like the car seat. As Mommy threw the bags into the cart the women continued to mutter things under her breath. Mommy did catch her saying, "I can't tell if it's a boy or a girl but my heart breaks for that baby." It's a good thing Mommy is non confrontational because if she was...she would have had a few choice words for this women. We were more than happy to wheel out of there...with eyes still staring. As soon as the buggy hit the pavement Grant was sound asleep...just perfect. Needless to say, we learned that Walmart isn't for the faint hearted. Mommy says we made our mark at Walmart that day. She's sure many who were there will go home and say, "We saw this women whose baby was screaming so loud...." So if you hear that story enter your circle of friends...it was us...the Harmans. As for the picture..well...it captures how Mommy and I felt, along with the hundred or so other customers and workers at Walmart that day.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

it IS a good thing mommy is non-confrontational, hannah. this momma would have thrown down with that woman right then and there. i am really proud of your mommy.

Redheaded Adventures said...

Dear friend - you're a trooper. I think I told John - I went to the store 4 times with Samuel before I even walked out with anything and the fourth time was because the grocery store people felt so sorry for me they ran and got milk, bread and the far away stuff while I threw stuff on the conveyor belt - Samuel in the Baby bjorn and the buggy parked at the end of the aisle so I could just walk fast and throw stuff in. Then I tried everything - baby bjorn, the stroller ANYTHING but that carseat - Samuel hated it and screamed EVERYTIME he was in it - 1 time when he was 11 months old he fell asleep in it - I thought he was dead. I hope Grant gets used to it sooner than Samuel - if not I'll watch the little guy this fall for you while you shop! AND don't let those ladies get to you - most of them are saying - "that poor mom - I remember when I had my five kids in a buggy and they wouldn't stop crying - I don't envy her - but it will get better!" You're doing great - and Hannah seems to be doing well as a big sis. Talk with you soon - HOPE to see you Sunday. Kelly

Anonymous said...

No worries, Jess. I had a trip like that to Target one time. To make matters worse, I kept running into people I knew there, and I just knew that they must think that this poor first-time mother had no clue what she was doing!

Have you tried a baby carrier (like a sling or bjorn)? Or maybe hanging a blanket over the carseat carrier? Maybe it's the lights that bother him. For Eli, thing bjorn worked because he liked the feeling of being held.

Courtney said...

oh my word, some people have no tact, so sorry my friend! keep on keepin' on! :)

Anonymous said...

Hey Jess, Just today at Walmart I had a lady make a comment to me about how I needed to fix the way that Avery was sleeping. I thought instantly of your trip. It must be those Walmart women!