Precious gift

Today is Wednesday, December 10th of 2008.

Even though it's only a few weeks away from Christmas, there's nothing celebratory about getting only half way through the work week. Fatigue and crabbiness are the best physical and emotional descriptors of the way I feel right now.

But wait. Just when you least expect it, life sure knows how to throw surprises at you every once in awhile:

I came home from work tonight, and began helping Felicia out with drying the baby bottles and peripheral items that have gone through the sterilizer. Very mundane and routine stuff. There I was, standing in front of the sterilizer and Felicia was standing next to me, cradling Desmond in just the right fashion that he could have an unblocked view of his daddy doing chores. I was drying one of Desmond's Avent bottle nipples, when ALL OF A SUDDEN the paper towel I was holding slipped out of my hand (frustratingly, this happens a lot) and began its zig zaggy descent to the floor. Within a split second I managed to think to myself "NOT AGAIN!!!", curse under my breath, and then reach to save the paper towel with a very pointed "HIYA!!!". I managed to save the errant paper towel by swatting it against my thigh.

And then................."huh huh huh, haaaaaaaaaaa"

I was still coming off my adrenaline fueled high of paper towel swatting, that I did not fully comprehend what I had just heard. It's ok. Because Felicia did. She stood there wide eyed, and then exclaimed "OMG, he just laughed!!! Honey do that AGAIN!!"

I was confused. Then the light bulb came on. I pretended to catch the towel again, and victoriously trumpeted another "HIYA!". Desmond erupted in laughter again!! "huh huh heh haa ha". I couldn't believe it, our son's first laugh. In that moment in time, nothing else mattered. I felt rejuvenated and happy, warm and proud, satisfied and humbled. I could've cried.........if I were Felicia. Even Felicia wanted to cry. Not wanting to squander this precious moment, I proceeded to do my best imitation of a rodeo clown. Desmond loved it. He laughed and laughed and laughed, everytime I goofed. It was priceless.

Christmas came early for Felicia and I this year.