thousands of clicks

This weekend we finally moved Katie out of her infant carrier car seat. I know, it is a little over due. Especially since it took me forever to get the buckle done up with her big, fat coat on. And she's 17 months old. And it was "expired".  (Though, I'm not quite sure how that works on a car seat, but whatever.)  It was definitely time. While Dave was home the last few weeks he took it upon himself to find the right seat and we finally got it all hooked up in the van last night.

Even though it was definitely time for the change and even though she is much happier getting buckled in and the seat is so nice and all of that, I can't help but feel a little nostalgic about our little infant carrier.

I mean, we brought 3 babies home in that car seat.

Thousands of times I have done up that buckle. Hundreds of times I have pushed it in shopping carts and in the stroller.  Click in, click out. Thousands of clicks, each one signifying the passing of time.  It seems I could measure my life by car seats. Now I have two big kids in booster seats (that click themselves!) and a little toddler too big for that baby chair.

I don't regret the passing of time though. When they were clicked in that first time, I didn't know those babies yet. I loved them, yes, but I didn't know them. Now I know that Ana is energetic and dramatic and observant. I know now that Jack is cautious and sensitive and particular. And little Katie's personality is budding too. She is spunky and daring and talkative and cuddly. She gives the best hugs and her little vocabulary is growing every day.  I love to see the people they become as they change and grow.

It happens so darn fast.