Pt 2 of them (continued ver)

Chapter 223

When Malia and Colby decided to go grocery shopping, they made it a family outing to ensure everything everyone needed was covered. The kids—Liam, Carter, and the angelic sisters—were brought along, which meant extra planning and patience.

Preparation

Before heading out, Colby double-checked Carter's diaper bag, which included extra diapers, wipes, snacks, a bottle filled with milk, a blanket, and a teething toy. Since Carter was energetic that day, Colby prepped the stroller to keep him in one place. Malia rounded up Liam and the girls, ensuring everyone wore comfortable clothes and shoes.

Carter was nibbling on his pacifier, Liam was already asking for candy, and the girls were excited about picking their favorite snacks.

At the Grocery Store

As they arrived, Malia pushed Carter's stroller while Colby grabbed a large cart. Liam insisted on pushing a small cart, which quickly became a challenge as he darted down aisles pretending to shop like a "grown-up." Carter was already squirming in his stroller, but Malia kept him entertained with a teething toy.

The Shopping List

Baby Products for Carter

• Milk Formula: Enfamil NeuroPro and Similac 360 Total Care.
• Bottles: Dr. Brown's dinosaur-themed bottles.
• Diapers: Huggies Little Movers in size 4.
• Wipes: Pampers Sensitive baby wipes.
• Diaper Cream: Aquaphor Healing Ointment.
• Baby Shampoo and Body Wash: Aveeno Baby Wash & Shampoo.
• Teething Toys: Nuby silicone teething rings and a chewable baby book.
• Pacifiers: Philips Avent Soothie in dinosaur designs.
• Soft Bibs: Waterproof bibs with pocket catchers.
• New Blankets: A plush dinosaur blanket Carter immediately hugged in the cart.

Snacks for Carter

• Baby Food Pouches: Gerber Organics in apple, carrot, and sweet potato flavors.
• Teething Biscuits: Happy Baby Gentle Teethers.
• Yogurt Melts: Gerber yogurt melts in mixed berry and strawberry.
• Soft Fruits: Bananas, avocados, and seedless grapes.
• Dino-Shaped Crackers: Annie's Organic Cheddar Bunnies.
• Mini Rice Cakes: Plum Organics blueberry-flavored.

Groceries for the Family

• Fruits: Apples, oranges, strawberries, and blueberries.
• Vegetables: Broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers.
• Dairy: Milk, eggs, cheddar cheese, and yogurt.
• Bread: White and whole grain for family breakfasts.
• Cereal: Lucky Charms for Liam, Cheerios for the girls, and Frosted Flakes for Colby.
• Frozen Meals: A mix of frozen pizzas and chicken nuggets.
• Pasta: Spaghetti noodles, elbow macaroni, and marinara sauce.
• Meat: Chicken breasts, ground beef, and turkey.
• Juices: Capri Sun pouches for the kids and orange juice for the adults.
• Coffee: Starbucks medium roast for Colby and Malia.

Candy for the Kids

• Snickers: Liam's pick.
• Twix: The girls' favorite.
• Skittles: Shared among everyone.
• M&M's: Both plain and peanut for Malia.
• Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: For Colby.
• Gummy Bears: Haribo gummy bears for Carter's sensory chewing needs (supervised).

Special Treats

• Ice Cream: A mix of Ben & Jerry's (Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Cookie Dough) and popsicles for the kids.
• Cupcakes: Pre-made cupcakes with pink and blue frosting for a fun dessert.

The Chaos

Carter started nibbling on a box of teething biscuits while still in the cart. Liam, in his small cart, attempted to sneak in extra candy bars, but Colby caught him each time, muttering, "Nice try, buddy." The girls were surprisingly helpful, grabbing items from the list and putting them neatly into the cart.

When it was time to check out, Carter began fussing in his stroller, and Malia handed him his bottle to keep him calm. Liam tried to grab a candy bar off the shelf near the register, earning a firm "no" from Colby, but Malia slipped one into the cart anyway.

Unpacking at Home

Once home, Colby and Malia worked together to unpack. Carter's snacks were placed on his special shelf in the pantry, and the new bottles and bibs were washed and organized. Liam grabbed his Snickers and dashed off, while the girls helped stock the fridge. Carter was already hugging his new blanket and happily chewing on his teething toy.

"Successful trip," Colby said with a smirk as he collapsed on the couch, only to have Carter climb onto his lap with a bottle.