I had the opportunity to dive into a different life for 8 days. A parallel universe that included kids and a marriage. One day I was solo and running errands all over Boston and by that night, I was in NC with three kids, my sister, my brother-in-law, and my mom. There was one consistent thing though: the too small living space.
At first, the echoes of my old life crept in. I reached for the bowls to the right of the sink instead of behind it. I hand washed dishes instead of throwing them in the dishwasher. And yet, I grew accustomed to this new life. I woke up quickly because if I didn’t the kids would be bouncing on my head or screeching over who got to build the fort with the sofa cushions and, besides, they needed food. I could tell if Baby Mac had washed her hands post potty or just told me she had by listening to her footsteps down the hallway. I could convince Bubba Mac to eat if I could distract him. I studied the velvet wrinkles on Mac 3’s itty bitty thighs and oh how we celebrated when they increased (cause a newborn’s job is to gain weight and she took some time to get started).
When not chasing or scolding or laughing around/at/with the older two, I watched them, considered them, evaluated them. Oh how they loved to test boundaries – yours and their own – to see if they’d hold, to see how far they could go with their negotiations for more TV, more snacks, more toys. They’d also test our memories to see if they could get a different answer out of Mommy or Daddy or Mommy two minutes later.
Time galloped forward, blurred, and stalled out in chunks of waiting. Time stretched peacefully as I held a sleeping Mac 3, her body warm against mine. Her sweet breath on my cheek. The way her whole body breathed. Her navy eyes blinking awake, heavy with sleep, finally open and alert. Her hiccups and flailing arms. Baby and Bubba Mac tiptoeing closer wanting to see their new baby sister. The older two careening away, spinning with laughter, cackling with intent. Silence was scarce. Chaos was the norm. A full heart beat in my chest.
And then I was dumped back into my old life. 45 degrees + rain. Welcome home. With only the ghost of Mac 3’s strawberry clad bottom in the palm of my hand to keep me warm.
Abigail Mumford 
Aww. This squeezed my heart. You’re a really good writer. I hope you know that. :)
Thank you! This means so much coming from you! xoxo
(P.S. I copyedited your comment for you. :)
Perfectly documented. Having spent the previous 2 weeks with the Mac kids, your descriptions are right on the money. I closed my eyes and was transported right back…. Oh, how I miss all the craziness.
Yes, you also got to live this parallel life! I know the Macs appreciated it, as did I over the 3.5 days we overlapped. :)
And yes we did / do appreciate both of you coming and helping!
I wish I could close my eyes and have you both back here again!!
Abs- this so perfectly captures our time with you! You have such an amazing way with words. We all miss you so much and are counting the days till we can see you again and snuggle, bounce, cackle, love and play! I am currently snuggling with that strawberry clad bottom (since there are only a few small outfits for her to wear ;) and missing you tons. Love you so much! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming and helping us! We all will cherish the memories of our time together with you. Can’t wait till we are with you again!
xoxo to the max