A Kiss and a Response

No photo to mark the post this time, just a couple moments to report, a few thoughts to capture.

Tonight, at the end of the bedtime routine Roland actually gave Aria a deliberate kiss on the forehead, which startled her, and made us all chuckle. Each day he grows just a bit more interested in her. This afternoon he helped (I use the word liberally) with one of her diaper changes.

As he grows more accustomed to her, she's also growing more aware of each of us. She loves being high up on Brian's strong shoulder, constantly peeking out with big eyes, looking down on all of us for a change. She knows when she's in my arms and quickly tucks into a cradle hold like it was second nature. And when she hears Roland's voice she makes every attempt to turn her head to him and watch. Each day when he gets home from school and busts through the door she gets quiet and still, looking for him.

Tonight, a friend shared with me an article that makes me strive to be a better parent. Anyone with a toddler, or a child for that matter, understands the unmeasurable value of a response. The first real smile from a baby as they express joy from recognizing you. The first time your child hugs you back. The first time a toddler can tell you what they did that day at school. The first time you get some sort of answer to the mind-numbing "What are you crying about?" Somewhere a response became as precious as the air we breathe. Tonight I marvel at how lucky we are to have reached such monumental responses: a real kiss on a forehead, Roland telling us he loves us when we put him to bed, and then instantly asking for some water the minute we turn out the lights. I hope everyone enjoys a response from someone they love.