Father Load

J just got back from Atlanta carrying 180 lbs worth of supplies for the baby and his parents. The guy at the airline counter said that they were the second heaviest bags he had seen checked in
since he began working there.


I was prepared for what was to come because I spent the better part of three days registering for things online that he could stuff into his suitcase. The criteria being only that it could be stuffed, knowing that just about anything these days is cheaper in the States. He bought long and short sleeved onesies, sleepers, gro-bags, bibs, hats, fitted sheets, and just about everything else I could justify buying now. My kid will be outfitted from birth to 9 months old.


He also went on a shopping binge of his own at Walmart where he dropped just short of a mortgage on cosmetics and hygiene products. This includes 5 bottles of lotion, 6 bottles of toothpaste, 12 bars of soap, 12 containers of Clarins face wash, 4-32 oz. bags of chocolate chips, 6 bags of light brown sugar, 20 boxes of instant oatmeal, and the jug of life of Helmann's mayo for Frances.


What is most remarkable of all is that he made it back unscathed. I was biting my nails trying to decide if I would be more disappointed if they confiscated the loot at the airport or charged us a ransom in fees for bringing so much over but it was unnecessary. We definitely dodged a bullet on this one. And what a sweet, sweet one to dodge at that.


Cliches are what they are but sometimes you really can buy happiness--even if it is fleeting.