fleeting

i caught a glimpse of us in the spinning doors of the hospital headed to the pediatric clinic today, in for owen's 6 month well-baby appointment. just after passing a care provider pushing a sweet elderly woman. widened soft and smiling eyes as we had come into view. "oh, she has her hands full." "looks like dad does, too!"

'you've/he's got your/his hands full' is the #1 line said to vern. yes. we've been keeping a poll it happens that often. there's a joke going round that he should get a t-shirt that on the back reads, "yes! i do!" so i was happy to get a little credit during this public outing.

and then i saw us. owen and maddy seated in my lap, both sitting straight and proper and 13 months apart, but only a few inches and mere 6 pounds difference in size. maddy with her baby doll brody nestled at her side. vern pushing all 4 of us. caleb at pre-k, but usually walking to vern's side holding either his dad's hand or mine.

i'm going to miss this when the kids get older. being able to carry them. have people make note of the children, and my status as a mother, before really taking note of my missing lower limbs or oddly structured hands.

people's faces are so much softer when there's a baby in your lap. they look you in the eye. somehow having a kid or two (three) in tow has been the great equalizer. i'm not so different. i have kids.

i like this.

of course. it also quickly hit me that the she with hands full to whom they were referring was not me, but maddy.

and indeed maddy is busy tending to everyone - with her quiet insistence that the ped also check brody's heart and tummy. having already checked his blood pressure and eyes and ears during our time in the exam room herself. brody weighs a whopping 4 pounds. a water baby, we can't wait to see how much he weighs at 9 months with a full-fill.

i love this. and i know it is shooting by So Very Fast. we need to take a picture of our reflection before the kids outgrow us.