Love Hate Relationship

Most new mamas I speak with report a strong love-hate relationship with baby super store, Babies R Us. My love-hate relationship began when Matt and I registered for baby gifts some time during my second trimester, and the relationship has grown even more tumultuous since Caitlin's arrival.
Like a bad high school boyfriend, Babies R Us can make my heart skip a beat one second and leave me sobbing the next. I love that Babies R Us carries everything I need in one place. My time is limited and one stop shopping is life saving. I hate that no matter what day of the week, no matter what time of day, Babies R Us is a madhouse filled with anxious new parents, indecisive relatives buying shower gifts, and screaming babies (my own baby included). I love the Babies R Us rewards program which sends me coupons almost every week, thereby making all this baby gear somewhat affordable. I hate trying to push my oversized shopping cart through too narrow aisles, which reminds me a little bit of the whole birthing experience-something I have tried to forget (at least the painful part). First the love, then the hate. Every time.
Each time I make the trip to Babies R Us, I follow a strict preparation regimen. First, I make a list. Next, I meticulously scan and clip my rewards coupons. Before leaving, I carbo load which gives me stamina and prevents The Hanger (Matt's catch phrase for my hunger/anger, which comes on full force while shopping on an empty stomach). Finally, I put on some work out clothes, load Caitlin into the car, and brace myself.
Yesterday, Caitlin and I made our monthly journey to Babies R Us. Our mission was clear: we set out to buy Caitlin a big girl car seat- the highly rated, yet overpriced, Britax Marathon (Don't worry, Mom. I used a coupon.). As I pulled into the full parking lot, my palms began to sweat. I swore at an elderly grandmother taking too long to leave her parking spot. The hate part of my love-hate relationship was coming on strong. Obviously, the spaghetti I ate prior to departure was not helping.
Once in the store, we were focused. Grabbing only the items on our list, Caitlin and I made our way to the car seat department. There it was. Displayed proudly on the shelf was Baby Bargains top rated Britax Marathon-in stock and ready for purchase. Caitlin smiled approvingly at her new seat and I eagerly grabbed the box from the shelf. Immediately, trouble ensued. The awkward, L-shaped box would not fit into our shopping cart no matter how many different ways I tried. After several failed attempts, a Babies R Us employee kindly offered to carry the car seat to the register. I so appreciated this young man's help and I felt the warm, tingly love part of my relationship returning.
After paying, Caitlin and I somehow lugged our new gear to the car. As soon as I popped my trunk I realized we had another problem. My trunk is small and this car seat is monstrous. Over and over again, I tried stuffing the car seat into the trunk. Over and over again, I failed. I could drive home with the car seat somewhat contained, but the trunk did not close and I deemed this highly unsafe. Why didn't I think of this scenario before? This was a classic new mama move and I felt embarrassed and angry.
Rather than directing the anger toward myself, I decided to lash out at Babies R Us and their ridiculous, enormous boxes. With my trunk half open and the car seat about to fall out, I decided to make a move. I drove (yes, very unsafe...I know) to the fire lane, turned on the hazard lights, and hauled Caitlin back into the store. After cutting three people in the customer service line, I stormed up to a poor young woman and said, "I need help. The car seat I just bought does not fit into my car. I either need you to make it fit, or I need you to hold it for me until later. Please." Rather than telling me to go to the end of the line where I belonged, the young woman said, "Of course. Those boxes are so awkward, I'll come help you."
We went back out to the fire lane where I was greeted by a man in a pickup truck honking and calling me an idiot and a pair of ladies telling me the fire lane was not a parking spot. While I pretended not to hear these people, the store employee looked at the angry drivers and said, "Some people just don't get it," as she lifted car seat out of the trunk. "Have you tried the front seat?" I had, but the car seat completely blocked my view from the passenger window-again, highly unsafe. "These boxes are like tetris pieces, you just have to play around until you get the right fit," she said. After a quick rotation and a flip, the car seat was wedged in the front seat, view unobstructed. The love was back.
I thanked my new best friend, jumped back in the car, and drove away from the fire lane and further criticism of my driving/parking skills. As I drove home, I felt warm all over. While some of this was due to my wrestling match with the Britax, I think some part of me fell in love a little bit with the Babies R Us employee. This young woman reassured me that I was not an idiot, a driver who violates fire lane laws, or an unprepared mother. My heart swooned.
Until I got home and realized I can't get the car seat out. Twenty-four hours later, it still sits on my passenger seat. First the love, then the hate. Every time.