On Smiles

Childcare hasn't been that tough. Okay, it has been a little difficult, but, in all honesty, no more difficult than any new endeavor. Granted, K- and I likely have it easier than some other parents, and K- is still shoulders the lionshare of responsibility. However, given the sturm and drang that experienced parents gave me in the run up to delivery, I was expecting something on par with a disaster film.

In reality, the first couple of months had a certain mundane quality. Sure, there were problems (why is he crying, how do I change him without being covered in unmentionables, etc.), but there were few surprises and more rhythm than melody.

That is until Liam began handing out the smiles. He has been doing it for weeks now - more and more every day - and there is nothing regular about a smile (Well, except maybe the smiles of flight attendants and Disney employees).

The smile of a baby is all the more a small surprise, because it is really the first positive communication you get as a parent. You get plenty of cries and whimpers to flag problems, but you rarely get an attaboy - especially from someone that is pre-verbal. Granted, 25% of the smiles are gas, another 33% are likely something shiny behind you, and at his age they are all indiscriminate, but a smile is a smile and
it is the small difference that breaks the every day.