Firsts.

I sat outside with Sam today.  In the sun.  The bright, glorious sun!  I can count on my hands the number of times I've taken him out for the sole purpose of being outside.

Want to know what we did?

  

For thirty minutes we sat in the pokey grass--a first for the fella--and crushed weathered, dried-out leaves.  I laid on my belly holding the leaves in my hands, crunching them, while he put his tiny hands in mine.  It was an intriguing tactile experience for a baby who's never really been OUTSIDE before.  And not just tactile, it was a total sensory experience to boot.  The wind, the grass, the leaves, the big dump trunks and tractors driving past our home, and the ditch burning across the street (I love that smell), all offered him something new and curious to see and feel and hear and smell.  I couldn't take my eyes off him.

A baby makes things come alive again.  Things that are so commonplace we fail to notice them.

I was filled right up with wonder as I felt these things anew, through him.  It was magical.  And peaceful.  So much of our time together was quiet except for the life all around us, yet we were so connected.  Does that make sense?  I can't describe it any other way.  Love.  It was love.  And wonder.

I guess that's enough waxing eloquent for one night.