People of Collin

Its so difficult for us to believe Collin is 6 months old today. A whole half year. I know I say this every post, but it really is amazing how fast they grow. We're quietly becoming parents of a bright, active, smart little boy.
Now that he's a little older, we take Collin with us to more places, like for instance, the mall. Today we did some Christmas shopping and we were accosted by yet again another 'Minnesota Nice' couple sharing their stories. Its so weird to me that having a baby in a stroller instantly raises a flag that says:

"Please tell me your life experience with babies, and if you currently have a son/grandson/daughter/grand-daughter please expect that we'll become instant friends and you can tell me your worries/joys and ask questions! I love it!"

Its sort of like "People of Walmart", but instead People of Collin.
Seriously.
For those of you who don't know about people of walmart, please let me enlighten you. It's just like that bad accident you can't seem to quit staring at. Clink on the hyperlink. I dare you.

Case in point, today we are strolling along in Sears as Drew picks out his Christmas present. He picked out this but its beside the point in this story. So he's paying and Collin and I are perusing the aisles, as usual. We turn a corner, and BAM, there is miss Minnesota grandma. She approaches me and our conversation goes like this:
Minnesota Grandma: how old is he?
Me: 6 months today.
Minnesota Grandma: look at those eyes! I have a new grand-daughter, Ashley she's 1 week.
Me: oh.
Minnesota Grandma: I keep telling Stephanie that it will get easier. You know, just this morning she called me and said, "Mom, the baby's asleep, can I go to the kitchen?", can you believe that? I mean its not like that baby is going to crawl out of the bassinet. So I said, yes, go. The she says,"but Mom, are you sure?" I said, of course!
Me: uh huh.
Minnesota Grandma: you know, these things just don't come with user-manuals.
Me: nope they don't.
(stage right: Minnesota Grandpa enters the scene).
Minnesota Grandma: oh honey! Look, he's just 6 months today! I was telling her about Ashley and Stephanie.
Minnesota Grandpa: appropriately silent.
Me: well have a nice Thanksgiving.
Minnesota Grandma: Good to see you, have a great Christmas with that little boy.

End Scene.

Really? Doesn't this seem just a little too "I already know you"? I mean, poor Stephanie has no idea all of Sears is aware of her paranoia and lack of confidence as a new parent, and apparently, I now know her and her daughter Ashley on a first name basis. The thing in this conversation that really threw me was the "Good to see you", as in, my day would have been less pleasant if I hadn't because I already know you.

So weird.