stranger danger

There's a first time for everything, and this past weekend was the first time that I left PC for a weekend. (a privilege of fatherhood, to be able to do this.) It was a long weekend spent very enjoyably with Athens, GA's finest, and a needed break from the work routine.

But you know what? The boy gave me a little stranger treatment when I got home. He fussed when I held him the first couple of times, and very obviously preferred others for about 24 hours. Awful! The kid can't speak, but he can already be angry with me? I know, I know, this is common......

Here's the other thing: in addition to being the topic of many bragging conversations I had with old friends, he also crept into a surprising number of my daydreams. I just missed him. I wanted to smell his stale milk breath, just once! Or touch some of that perfect skin. Even change a diaper. One night as I lay in bed I began to think about him, and worried that I might miss a major development like a tooth or rolling over. It was one of those thoughts that loops back repeatedly unless you consciously try to change the topic....a nagging, aching thought.

Of course, everything was fine when I returned. And now I can see a little better how completely smitten I am with him.