A Shopping Experience Gone Wrong...

We had some friends over last night for dinner and a play date for AC. During dinner, we were talking about quick meals for weekday dinners, and she mentioned something that she had purchased at ALDI, and said it was cheap, quick to make, and delicious.

So, while Terry and I were out shopping at Target, we decided to make a trip to our new ALDI and check it out. Expecting it to be like shopping at Publix, we were sadly mistaken.

Let me explain...

We don't keep cash on us. And to get a shopping cart, you need a quarter. Oh, you get your quarter back, but still, no cash on either one of us. So we went in looking for a basket. No baskets. Terry carried AC, and I attempted to juggle our future purchases in my arms.

No shelves, just boxes stacked on top of each other. By boxes I mean the box that is shipped with all the products in it. The front of the box is torn off, and you just pull what you want from the box. Which it's all kinda a mess with no organization. We both left with a ragging headache.

Selection is minimal. Lucky for us, we only went in for a couple of items. Finally found the bananas (still completely green but bought them anyway).

Stood in line trying not to drop our items, and once I was finally able to set them down we had to decide which bag(s) to purchase to put our groceries in. We decided on a paper bag. Our total for a bunch of bananas, bag of potatoes, two heads of lettuce, a box of crackers, and our paper bag was $7. Great deal, but was it worth the hassle. We're thinking, no.

Oh, and you bag your own groceries, away from the register. And since we didn't have a buggy, we had to take our items a few at a time to the table a few feet away from the register to bag them ourselves. If Terry had not have been with me, I'm pretty sure AC and I would have left empty handed.

We understand that all of the things that we take for granted while shopping at Publix like selection, friendliness, convenience, etc. is the reason why their prices are higher than ALDI. But I'll be honest, this mom of an almost eleven month old and seventeen weeks pregnant exhausted mom will pay the 5% more to have the things we now do not take for granted at Publix. Nothing beats having someone take my groceries to our vehicle even in the rain and put them in the back while I get AC strapped in her car seat!

Double (and a half) Date

Ever since the Mr and I started dating, we had double dates with Angie and Mark. We've gone to New Orleans together for the weekend, enjoyed birthdays at the lake, and partied long into the night at Ross Bridge by the pool. 

Angie and I met in 2002 through work. I needed printed material, and she was my contact at the printer. It's been twelve years since 2002, but one thing that is as strong as ever, our friendship. Angie and Mark met the Mr (then boyfriend for a week or two) while we were at an art gallery event, and the guys hit it off. Angie and I knew we were set when the guys developed a friendship. We've broken bread together many times at each other's homes. And even though we live in Bham now, they still come over to visit, and we try to see them every time we are home.

This past weekend was perfect. We had a non-rushed dinner at their home Saturday night. There was college football, Ole Farm Beefhouse take out, and conversations that are always cut short due to the hour at hand. And this time we had an added addition to our double date — AC.

Angie and Mark have a gold retriever, Reggie, and AC loved watching him and petting him. She's definitely a dog lover like her mama. While the guys went to grab our take out, we sat outside on their gorgeous outdoor living space and enjoyed catching up, watching AC get tickled over Reggie and enjoying the fall temps! Oh, and I took a few pictures while we were out there, too!

Angie's daughter, Becca, is a member of the Pom Squad at Mississippi State. Since she was away at college, we played in her room. Oh, and AC found her favorite toy ever... Minnie Mouse!!!

Dinner was delicious. You can never go wrong with Ole Farm Beefhouse in Meridian. And take out was just as good as eating in the restaurant. It's our favorite place to eat in Meridian!

I normally get a baked potato, but instead I got steak fries to share with AC. You can see in the picture above that she has that steak fry clinched in her hand. And she loved it!!

Angie and had our time for girl talk while the guys watched football and AC napped. It was cut short because we had to leave to get AC fed, bathed and to bed. It was a wonderful night of relaxation, good food, great friends, and memories to last a lifetime! We can't wait to enjoy another double (and a half) date, again!

To My Husband...

Finding out we were expecting last July changed our lives forever. After losing our first baby way too soon, we both were very protective over this little life we were blessed with. You put up with my crazy hot flashes, weird cravings and did more around the house than I ever dreamed any husband would do.

Then I had her. Wow! The moment I laid eyes on you holding her, my love for you grew deeper and greater than I ever knew could exist. The way you cared for both of us in the hospital showed me exactly what kind of husband and father you would be. Being married for two years, we shared a lot, but those three nights and two days in the hospital brought us closer together than we've ever been before.

Once we were home from the hospital, you made sure you were a part of each and every moment with AC and taking care of me. We've never used the bathroom in front of each other, but that all changed once she was born. You probably never thought you would see the day when you would have to help me up and down from the potty, but after the c-section you took one for the team. Thankfully, those moments of awkwardness didn't last but a few days after we were home. And I'm sure neither one of us will never forget the laughter we shared during those experiences, even if I did cry out in pain after every laugh.

Next week will make four months we've had our little one in our arms. Things definitely changed after having her. Our home looks like a babies r us showroom. We sleep with a burp cloth and paci in the bed most nights. Our conversations include the words poopie and tee tee most of the time, and I'm not sure which one of those words makes us laugh the hardest. Our nighttime routine isn't what it used to be, but I'm sure one day we will miss those weekly photo sessions. Even if you roll your eyes every Thursday. The house isn't spotless. The meals have sorta become routine. But I wouldn't change any of these things because this is our life, and we are so happy and blessed that we get to live it with each other every single day.

There are things that we both said we would never do, and most of those we've had to eat our words. Like having our baby sleep in the bed with us at times, yep, that's happened. But one of the funniest is the one that you said you'd never do... buy me tampons. Last night as I was taking videos of our beautiful little girl, I went to the saved photos to send it to my email. However, I did a double take, and then doubled over laughing when I saw you had taken a picture of the tampon box under my sink in our bathroom. I remember you asking me a few weeks ago if I needed anything while you were out, and I mentioned those. Since you didn't want me getting out with the baby just to buy those, you said you would purchase them for me. But seeing that you actually took a photo of them to make sure you got the right ones, now that is LOVE.

Thank you for laughing with me after I came across this photo last night, and thank you for loving me so much that you would endure purchasing "those things." The fact that you were caught by another female on that isle holding your phone up to the many selections to make sure you got the right ones solidifies the fact that you are the perfect, loving and caring husband for me.

Here's the photo from his phone... I'm still tickled he took a photo of the box. And pray he forgives me for blogging about this. Ha!

Advice — Bathing Baby

One thing I haven't even thought much about is bathing Miss AC. We registered for a baby tub, towels, wash cloths and toys. But I have no clue what kind of shampoo and lotions we should use. I think we actually registered for Aveeno products. However, which ones work best for your babies?

And we've seen a lot of people using the blooming pad to wash their little ones. Is it worth the money? There are so many options you have with bath tubs and accessories and I just don't want to get carried away with stuff we don't need.

I know we will need a lot of hooded towels, but what are your must haves for bathing the baby?

Friday Five — link up #48

We're busy enjoying Thanksgiving all weekend long with family and friends in our hometown. But, in the case that some of you are still showing off your Friday Five... I wanted to have the link up ready for you! I'll be back to blogging full speed on Monday, but I will definitely check out any posts y'all link up today!

Oh, and I hope y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! And I hope y'all are still celebrating like we are with turkey, sweet potato casserole, dressing, peas, butter beans, fried okra, and SO MUCH MORE!!

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Who's ready to link up?!! I appreciate y'all spreading the word more than you'll ever know!! Please stop by and visit with the other bloggers who link up. It's a great way to find new bloggers to follow! And who doesn't love comments, right? =) Enjoy your weekend, y'all!