The Joys of Fatherhood

What amazes me about my son is that within seconds he can bring about two opposite emotions, to wit, joy and frustration. He can also bring out the ole' gag reflex. Monday night, Aiden pleaded with me not to put him to bed. He's never begged like that before. 'Pease, Pease' was his cry (that's 'Please', we're working on the 'l'). Being the sucker I am, I gave in. So we sat down in the rocking chair and within 4 minutes feel asleep in my arms which he hasn't done in maybe a year. So, that was great, joy. It didn't last, however, as he woke himself up by throwing up later that night. Kirsten and I went up to check on him and apparently he wasn't finished. As I picked him up he proceeded to finish the job, as it were, all down my back. Nothing like chicken parmasean and strawberries all down you, gag reflex. Alas, there was more to come. Tuesday morning he was laying in our bed, just resting--or so it seemed. There we were talking when...out of nowhere, a fountain of milk, gushing forth from my son--again, all over me and the bed. Ah, partly digested warm milk.

Perhaps, however, joy and gag reflex aren't exclusive after all. Taken in and of itself, baby puke is quite disgusting, but remembering baby puke presupposes having a baby puts the puke in perspective and elicits joy.