Hands full

The baby was asleep, the 2 year old down for her nap, and the 4 year old settled into his computer games. I was ready to tackle some work. Then the phone rang. It was the school calling to let me know that the 7 year old had a fever and would I please come pick him up? So sleeping baby into the snowsuit and carseat, 4 year old lured away from the computer with the promise that we'll be gone for just a few minutes and of course he can do computer games as soon as we get back, and at the last possible moment, the 2 year old gently awakened and coated and into the car - socks, no shoes.

Of course, nothing is easy, so when the 7 year started screaming in pain as soon as he was picked up, I called the doctor, and we didn't even go home. One and a half hours later, we had a diagnosis and a prescription. I checked the time, hoping to get right to the store to avoid rush hour, and realized that the baby needed to nurse. So home after all, feed the baby, give out snack, listen the the forecast for snow, realize that preparing dinner isn't going to happen tonight, and remember that we're out of milk and toilet paper. Quick decision to dine at Chick-fil-A on the way to Target to get all errands done at once.

Chick-fil-A first, three kids meals, baby gets hungry while we're eating. Visions of a quick dinner fade as I settle in for the minimum 30 minutes. 2 year old drinks brother's lemonade while he's not looking. Brother gets upset. 2 year old then drinks other brother's chocolate milk while he's not looking. Other brother mildly annoyed. 7 year old asks for ice cream, which 4 year old and 2 year old quickly second. Send all kids up to counter to trade their toys for ice cream. Watch helplessly from other side of table with nursing infant as 2 year old makes ice cream mess. Get everyone cleaned up and back to the van in 42 minutes and on to Target.

7:12 p.m. Bedtime was supposed to be 7:00 because of shortened naps today. 7:00 turns out to also be the time that the pharmacy closes. Errand #1 shot. Milk and toilet paper still on the needs list. Baby seat in the cart, 7 yr old and 2 yr old in the cart too. 4 yr old hanging off the side. Quick quick quick, I think. Almost to the toilet paper aisle, 4 yr old shouts "I need to poop now!" U-turn back to the bathrooms. 2 yr old says she needs to go too. I look at her bundled up in her coat, and decide that her Pull-ups will suffice for the bathroom this time.

Second attempt to get to the toilet paper aisle, baby starts crying, 2 yr old wants out of the cart, 7 yr old complains that 2 yr old is stepping on his hand, 4 yr old is asking if we can buy every product that we pass. I put my head down and resolve to just power through when an older woman catches my eye.

"You have your hands full!" she says.

Ear infections, interrupted naps, grouchy kids from said interrupted naps, inconvenient nursing schedules. Entertaining two well kids in a doctor's waiting room for far too long, explaining to a sick 7 year old that we can't go right home, pharmacy hours that are 12 minutes too short for my schedule.

Laundry that piles up seemingly overnight, crayons constantly underfoot, dinners reheated, refused, and sometimes regurgitated. Bickering, hitting, screeching, wrestling, crying.

Sweet morning breath, fish kisses, sticky hands against my cheek, colored pictures just for me, silly faces, baking helpers, mixers, and tasters. Awkward somersaults, hopping, jumping, climbing, toddler races, 'look at me, Mom!'

Quiet bedtime cuddles, boo-boo hugs, papers from school with 'Great job!' across the top, brothers holding their little sister's hands, laughing, giggling, smiling, snorting even. A 2 year old surprised smile as she exclaims, 'I di it mom! I di it!'

Hands around my waist, my leg, my chest, my arm, my neck. Sleepy heads on my shoulder, sleeping infants heavy on my chest.

"Yeah", I smile back at the woman in the aisle. "I really do."