Automatic Doors

You know those automatic doors at stores, in this case grocery stores? Typically I don't think twice about them. I walk up to them, they open, I walk in - end of story.

Well this isn't necessarily the case when you only weigh 20 pounds, as Eleanor does. We found out yesterday that those doors don't open for 20-pounders, parents beware.

Let me first start by telling you about our local grocery store - Hardings. I will run there for the quick, middle-of-the-week grocery items. Yesterday a co-worker brought in tomatoes, so I went to Hardings for some salsa ingredients - limes, cilantro - and tortillas for quesadillas (mmm, dinner was umbagood as Eleanor would say). I digress.

Anyway, the Hardings parking lot is on a hill. Not ideal for shopping carts. I once lost 4 6-packs of beer in that parking lot (only 3 bottles broke - not bad). I have yet to lose a child, but fear it each time we go. I digress again because that fact has nothing to do with my story other than pointing out the fact that it's hard enough getting my girls into and out of that store safely. Imagine pulling on child out of the cart while the other is still in it and getting that one child in the car while trying to keep the cart and mainly the other child from rolling down the parking lot.

So we pull into a parking spot, I get Eleanor out, watch closely as she follows me to Carolyn's door. We pull her out, walk up to the door, everyone is safe, so we enter. We made it!

Not so fast (literally). I walked in before Eleanor and she was too far behind so the door started closing before she could get in. She starts screaming, I look back and see her still outside. I make the turn but fall in behind a man walking oh so slowly out the door. I have a feeling this man was also slow mentally because as I was rushing behind him saying "Excuse me! Excuse me, sir!", he made no acknowledgement of me. He only walked (slowly) out the door staring at Eleanor. His look made me a little nervous that he may grab her and take off, but it made Eleanor even more nervous so she screamed louder.

I finally made it outside, stepped on the automatic door mat, and make certain Eleanor got into the store safely. Whew, what a start to our trip! The rest was somewhat uneventful besides the stop at the restroom - Eleanor loves checking out the restroom at every place we go.

So, my lesson learned is - walk onto the automatic door mat, shew small children through, then proceed through the door yourself.

A Night At The Mommy Spa

Eleanor saw me touching up my french pedicure the other morning and said she would like her toenails painted. So Friday night she got a pedicure while daddy was out mole hunting (sitting in a chair with a beer and a shovel waiting for the lawn destroying varmint to make a move - and he got it) and Carolyn was sleeping.

She sat on the couch with her legs draped across me while I worked. She asked a couple times if I was done, but waited patiently. She's very happy with the results and has been showing everyone.

Trying Rice Cereal

We introduced Carolyn to rice cereal on the day she turned 4 months. I think she liked it. At least she didn't make terrible faces the way Eleanor did. But a few hours later, she spit-up like crazy. I mentioned this to her doctor at her 4-month well baby visit and he said to give her a couple weeks and try again.

Carolyn didn't mind it.

Eleanor, she didn't like it at all

1st Tooth!

Carolyn's first tooth has broken through! Saturday she was a little cranky, wanting to put my finger in her mouth. So I wash my hands, let her chew, and felt a little spike of a tooth. It's her bottom tooth just right of center - I think the typical first tooth.

Carolyn's 4 month check up

Carolyn went for her 4 month check up this morning. She's doing great which we already knew. The doctor was impressed when she rolled over on the exam table and popped her head up. She did have to get 4 shots which she didn't care for in the least. But her are her current stats:

Weight: 11 pounds, 11 1/4 ounces (15 percentile)
Length: 26 inches (95 percentile)