She Sure Can Bring Some Smiles Into This World

It was one of those days. All I wanted was a workout. Who knew leaving the house could be so hard? Cluster feedings all morning. Oops I have to pump too in order for my boobs not to fall off when I'm jump roping. Gotta wash the pump parts too. Crap the diaper bag is empty but I was supposed to leave 5 minutes ago, did I just feel a poop release? I seriously contemplated making the gym babysitter get the gift, but then I decided I wouldn't want to sit in a load of warm mush for a 15-minute scenic car ride that's supposed to be full of refreshing sea breeze air either. Good mom decision Jess.
After a wonderful group exercise class, I feel re-energized and ready to tackle the mountain of them all with her...the grocery store. Big mistake. Her deep sleep from the car lasts half way through the entrance produce area. The binky spared me to the condiments aisle. How am I going to make it to the ending freezer section when she's sucking on that thing like milk better be coming out of there lickity split. And of course, I now have to pee like a racehorse.

We head to the lovely grocery store bathroom that is always dirtier than a gas station bathroom (that's just not right in the world- get on that people). It's a comical thing to picture a mom hovering over the toilet while reaching for the strategically placed carseat in order to keep the pacifier in her mouth to prevent "I'm So Hungry!" screaming for the whole town to hear. But mission accomplished thanks to my thighs that still have some muscle to them after pregnancy.
Thankfully the neighboring pharmacy area has some waiting chairs right next to the blood pressure machine. We park it in order to get a bottle in that begging mouth, and pray our chilled sour cream in the cart makes it through this detour. As I'm making a mental note of how useful this space is for future shopping trips, the cutest little old man in his 80's enters our area to check his blood pressure that I believe is a long-time car dealership employee from the crisp light blue dress shirt, dress pants, and pristine Toyota emblemmed flat-brimmed cap on. He walks over like he's been doing this daily for years, and a delightful expression comes over his face. I realize he's happy to see a new baby. He gets a direct view of Lyla going to town on her bottle, gratifying sighs and all coming from her as that milk fills her belly. I can tell the old man's favorite part is when I have to burp her in a sitting position on my lap, since she's full slate blue eyes towards him. I don't even know how I picked up on this, since my mama eyes were focused on her the whole time and all I said to the man was hello when he came over. Right before she's finished, the quiet man gets up from the machine and says in the most heartfelt way from a hesitant distance on the way out, "Thank you for the best lunch I've had in a while. She's precious." You could tell the frail grandfather's day was made after Lyla brought a little light into it. And my chaos instantly turned into a great day as well.

She brought a smile to his face and a tear to my eye.