Pay it forward...

Remember those moments as a new mom (or dad witnessing them), when your emotions were all over the place and your husband bringing you the wrong burp cloth sent you into hysterics. Or having someone hold the door for you made you feel like they just gave you the moon. I remember these moments with both my girls. With Maggie, I had no idea what I was doing when it came to breast feeding. I called a friend and had her talk me off the proverbial ledge. When I hung up the phone, I thought to myself how wonderful it was to have the help of another mom and hoped that one day I could pay it forward. Tonight was my chance...

I was in the formula/breast pump aisle at Target tonight with my huge stack of formula coupons for all the different brands. I was trying to decide what to use and what to leave on the shelf for someone else. I nurse and we only use formula occasionally, so my 5 coupons that expire next week were a bit excessive. While I was debating Enfamil versus Similac, I overheard a very young, new mom talking on the phone to her mom. She had a very teeny, tiny baby girl...days old and possibly premature. She was trying not to cry, but tears were streaming down her cheeks. She was saying she wasn't sure she had enough money to get the breast pump stuff and formula and she didn't know what things to get. When she hung up, I offered her my Enfamil coupons that can be combined and add up to a can of formula. She was so grateful; I was surprised she did not break down in the aisle! I then helped her get the breast pump stuff she needed. I walked away thinking nothing of it. That is just what we do,\ a community of moms helping each other out any way we can. Maggie asked me what I gave her and I told her coupons to help buy formula. She replied, "That’s sweet mommy!" I didn’t even realize she had been watching the whole thing, taking in and hopefully learning how to pay it forward.

That new mom has a long road ahead of her. I hope my little bit of help tonight made her journey a little easier and one day, she can pay forward too!

I will leave you with a picture that makes me smile!

My chunky monkey, Molly, so happy to be outside!