Harper is two months old today! Despite all the energy we've put into slowing things down around here and enjoying the moments, the time is still going far too fast for my liking. Slow Down I demand of Time more times than I can count in a day. But Time doesn't listen. Harper keeps growing.
Every so often, I think back to eight years ago when we began this parenting journey. The first baby who we could literally sit and stare at all day long. Whose every movement and twitch and smile and pattern we knew because it was all we were paying attention to and soaking up and loving. That complete absorption in the first baby was an amazing moment in time unlike any other. I'll always remember it as magical.
But this time? Life moves faster. There's so much more to do in a day - so many more little people needing just as much attention and just as much love. So Harper comes along for the ride - in the sling, on our chest, or very nearby. And when I have a chance to sit down, or at the end of the day when all is quiet, I wonder where this day has gone. I marvel at the difference in his first months compared to that of the first child. But each time that leads to worry...I find an oh-so-frequent sight like the ones above. I see it all day. And my photo files are full of them. The near constant hovering, performing-for, snuggling (a little too tightly) with, "beeps on the nose," and similar older sibling showerings-of-affection he gets all day long. And I remember - that for these younger siblings - this is their gift. A whole lot of love - distributed into many hearts.
Yesterday Adelaide asked Steve, "Papa. Do we get to keep Harper forever?"
Yes we do, my love. We do!
