Christmas Shopping with Baby

I am not much of a shopper at any time of year and I particularly dread going to the mall during the holidays. So for the past 5 years or so I have done most of my Christmas shopping online. This year was no exception but I did have to run out to the malls this week to pick up a few last minute items. Somehow, even though I had only 4 gifts left to get I ended up visiting 4 different malls over 3 days. I knew it would be bad out there, but I didn't factor in how much Baby M would slow me down.

The first issue is trying to get around a multi-level mall. I never realized how few elevators there are in most malls and how few strollers each one can accommodate. At Westside Pavilion I waited through 3 elevator cycles just to go down one level. I also have to wonder about the perfectly able-bodied, unencumbered shoppers who take the elevators. There are escalators everywhere-- why are they wasting time waiting around for the elevator? And, more importantly, why are they taking up valuable elevator space?

Once I arrived at my store of choice I often found the aisles were so narrow that I couldn't fit through with my stroller. I was using my Snap N' Go which has a pretty small footprint. I don't know what the women pushing around those giant travel systems or double strollers do. I just barely made it through J Crew and I gave up on the Borders Express after I bumped into 3 displays in as many minutes.

Baby M is still eating every 2-3 hours which means we had to find places to nurse. I figured I would just have to find a quiet bench somewhere, but was pleasantly surprised to find the "Family Room" at the Century City mall. It's a room off the food court filled with comfy chairs, changing stations and even private nursing rooms. It was not crowded and it was great to be in a place where I could relax for a few minutes. Much better than the Fox Hills Mall where I was directed to a white bench in the crowded Macy's 2nd floor bathroom. While nursing there a 6 year old girl came up and asked what Baby M was eating and when I replied "milk" she demanded that I show her. I declined.

I do have to say that I am quite proud of Baby M. He slept or sat happily in his stroller for the majority of the shopping trip and only cried when we were waiting in the checkout line. I'm sure he was just trying to see if anyone would let us cut in front of them. He's a clever boy :)