Baby Love

Last night I met a friend at McDonald's for a 45-minute catch-up. This may sound silly, but we are both busy, running in different directions (from one another) and she has nine children. Need I say more?

Anyway, while her young ones were at Awana, we met at McD's and she brought her youngest, one-year-old Joshua. He is the perfect little baby - one that I can't help calling "pumpkin" each time I see him. He has big blue eyes, pudgy cheeks, a winning smile, and he is SO quiet! He hardly says a thing, he just sits there acting sweet, being good, and looking happy. Is that a perfect baby or what?

So when we met in the parking lot, my friend was getting out of her van and she handed Joshua down to me. Since we don't see one another often, he really doesn't know who I am, and his mom said he might get upset as he's beginning to go through the separation anxiety stage. But lo and behold, when I took him, he gave me a huge smile and just stared into my eyes. Oh the love!

I carried him into McDonalds and he just kept looking at me, smiling. I'm sure I made a complete fool of myself, cooing at him, smiling at him, saying idiotic things and calling him "pumpkin." I didn't care - this was too good to be true. Finally I pressed my cheek against his downy hair and he leaned his little head against me in a hug. I nearly cried. I told my friend, "Oh my gosh, he loves me!" She just laughed and shrugged. She was probably starting to think she might better get her baby back before I took off with him or something.

Ultimately, I did give him back - she made me do it when I started offering him fries, ice cream, a cheeseburger - anything for another precious baby hug.

There really is no feeling like that, you know? :)

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