That wide-eyed look

We were at the pharmacy this morning waiting to pick up some allergy meds for Catfish when I noticed a new Dad also patiently waiting. My guess was that he was getting ready to bring his wife and new baby home and it was his job to go to the pharmacy to get any prescriptions that would be going home with mom.

I'm also guessing that he was a new dad. He looked like he hadn't slept much recently, yet he was still smiling. That, and he walked up to the pharmacy counter carrying a brand new, but empty, carseat. How can I tell it was new? Why no spit-up or other unmentionable stains of course. Plus it was far too stylish to be a hand-me-down.

And how can I tell he was a new dad and not a repeat father? Well I couldn't say for sure, but he just had this look. His expression was a mix of "ohmygosh---do you know what just happened in the last couple of days---it was a miracle---a MIRACLE---ohmygosh--I'm never going to get a good night's rest again----ohmygosh--I have so much to do."

I remember that look.

He was obviously excited and in a rush as he paced back and forth in the waiting room and it took all I could to not go over and offer him congratulations. In fact had he not gotten a cell phone call, I probably would have butted in and offered him all the best.

Because that is such a life-changing day. The day you get to bring a new little one home from the hospital isn't as exciting as the day of the birth. No, it is much more terrifying. Now you are on your own. You are a parent. I remember thinking I did not want to mess up or let anyone ever hurt my child. I remember how exciting and frightening and amazing it all was.

As I sat with Catfish and watched him play with his Leapster, I thought how quickly those moments pass from newborn haze to a six year old who never slows down. It is a miracle. And so even though I didn't get a chance to offer my congratulations and good wishes, I did offer a few prayers on his behalf.

Of course I could have totally and completely mis-read the entire situation, but I'm confident my thoughts and prayers will be useful no matter what exactly was going on at the pharmacy.
And I'm pretty sure that the look on his face, was the same wide-eyed one I remember on my husband's on our first day home.