If you give a mouse a cookie...

I pretty much take Skyler everywhere with me. In fact, it is VERY seldom that I am alone anymore. (That feels really sad re-reading it, but ah, such is life post-baby!).

I can remember when baby boy was little. He was like a little accessory-- the cutest one I had! The kid could sleep. AN.Y.WHERE! It was beautiful. I mean, I could take a road trip to Cedar point, hop on a ride and he could be sitting right next to me completely passed out. Ahhhh, those where the days. :) (Yikes, just pictured baby boy on a roller coaster.. scary!)

Anyways.

Not. Any. More.

I mean, let's be honest here. He is a toddler. He wants to explore because he knows he CAN explore. He crawls faster than our dog runs. The kid is a mover and a shaker.

So what did we learn when we were little? If you give a mouse a cookie, he's going to want some milk. :) If you give a baby the ability to move, he's going to want to NEVER BEHAVE IN PUBLIC AGAIN. Just kidding ;) He's going to want to get around no matter where you are or what you have planned. If that doesn't fit into your perfect afternoon plan involving shopping, getting your phone fixed, and eating out.. then well.. you are SOL sista!

Let's begin with shopping. Where shall I begin? Ok, so I tried to go into a store and then we turned around and left. Well, that was easy!

Now, onto Starbucks. Let me just say for a quick sec that I am a firm believer in caffeinated beverages. In fact, for a while there, I was drinking at least a tall mocha or a frap once a day. So if you can imagine with me, walking into one of my fav places with the cutest kid in the world (have to add that when I can :)) and finding that there are indeed, NO highchairs.

You read that right people. STARBUCKS HAS NO HIGH CHAIRS!

The first thought that ran through my mind was.. "you expect me to keep this boy in my lap while I drink my heavenly drink?" Then I realized that they didn't want me to do that. No. Never. I realized that they didn't want babies in there period!

**Side note- I am not sure if all Starbucks are highchair free or if this is just a Knapps Corner thing. Please accept my apologies if you know of a bucks' that has accommodations for littles.

Anyways. It was quite clear that my baby was a surprise to most people in there. A "regular" even commented on Skyler and how different it was that I brought him in. Was it his age? Maybe babies in carseats are more acceptable in this environment. But you try carry a 22 pound baby in a 5 pound carseat on your arm. Not. Fun. :) (Shout out to mommas who do!)

Part of me wants to bring my own seat that attaches to tables and let him go crazy in there. Stick to the man, I say! :) I am sure you baristas out there reading this are scared. Be afraid, very afraid.

So I left starbucks, begrudgingly... coffee in hand, baby in the other (not easy). Luckily I didn't leave the coffee on the top of the car this time (another story for another day). And we went on our way to the Apple store.

I will save you the details but I was holding my phone ever so perfectly so my son could enjoy some Baby Einstein while we waited (also not an easy task).

All that to say: My arms got a full workout today. No, not that.

This: I really appreciate kid-friendly places. I never put much notice into it before I had a child though. Shout out to IHOP, my Physical therapy office, Texas Roadhouse, and all the other places that have seemed to escape me right now. God bless ya. Because without you we would be homebound. They understand that if you give a kid some crayons, he's probably going to eat them, throw them up and then scream uncontrollably.

Have a great day! :)