Bad Mommy

What do you get when you mix a spending deprived Momma, an outlet mall, some extra cash, a gorgeous afternoon and a HAPPY baby boy?

One BAD Mommy!!

Since we have been trying SO very hard to buy a house after the new year, we have both been watching our spending. I even wrote up a little budget for us that has yet to be followed. I don't buy expensive clothes, I don't eat sushi every other day (like my pre-pregnant self), I don't even drink the occasional Starbucks coffee (yes, that 1.13 adds up). So anytime I needed a quick retail fix, I would load Grayson up and head to the baby department at Walmart or Super Target...I knew that whatever I bought would be inexpensive ( a long sleeved t-shirt for Mommy and a cute little onesie for Baby). While Grayson LOVES to be in the stroller checking out the action, ultimately he gets fussy about 30 minutes to an hour in..he's like a built-in budget blocker. His crying fits normally have me running to the car before I can get in over my head...good boy - he knows Mommy's not to be trusted.

But today my budget-conscious baby was of absolutely no help to my weakened shopper's soul. I planned on finishing all my Christmas shopping today...I didn't mean to go overboard, but I guess a part me thought I deserved some sort of mini shopping spree. No, we didn't win the lottery, but, Daddy DID get a hefty holiday bonus...and it was in the form of a gift card so it's not like we could use it as a down payment for a home....it just looked at me with it's sad little gift card eyes and said, "please spend me"..whimper, whimper.

Kevin and I discussed what I'd spend on gifts and then Grayson and I headed to the Allen Outlet Mall to check out the holiday sales.

We plowed through the first quarter of stores without even batting an eye. Gray was LOVING the fresh outdoor air (68%) and I was LOVING the fact that I could shop without buyer's remorse for the first time in months! Buy the time we hit Baby Gap I was sunk! Corduroy pants, jackets, and hats...a quick little something for my niece and nephew....I had blown through half my afternoon allowance before the 14 year old cashier could say, "credit or debit?"

"Oh well", I thought, as I hit the Children's Place, "I may look like crap, but at least I'll have the cutest baby boy on the block!" After all, I've come to realize that once you have a baby, no one looks at mom anymore.

After rounding our way around the megaplex nearly four hours later, taking time out for a snack (boob for Grayson)...(mini cini-bun for me) I had exceeded my allotted amount by almost double. Oops!

Grayson was being so incredibly accommodating and precious and I was having way too much fun finding bargains for the family's Christmas lists that I just couldn't control myself. I was like a madwomen who had been dieting all week and then let loose at a all-you-can-eat buffet: Madness, I tell you!

We finally headed home and decided we would ornate all the presents before Daddy got there... so he wouldn't see all the loot, but I'm sure he will be curious because I normally make him do all the wrapping (I know I've told you all before that I am no "Martha Stewart" when it comes to beautifying holiday packages).

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Just hope I'm holding the baby when Kev finds all those receipts! :)