Today Anne Sophie is turning 5 months old. Looking back I must say each of these 153 days spent with her has been a feast! Every day, as I am waking up, I think about her, say a little prayer for her, and wait for her to wake up in order to look into her smiling grey eyes, to give her a kiss and to hold her in my arms. Every day, coming home from work, I find myself smiling in anticipation to see her and be with her again. (Now as I read the above few lines, I realize that this sounds very much like being in love. Well, that's what it is: father's love for his baby daughter!)
But am I really earnest about all this feast-thing? An opinion that I often hear (especially from those without children) is that being a parent is about hard work, sleepless nights, constant noise, no time for yourself, etc., with only occasional rewards. Well, this might hold true for some families. But my experience has so far been a very different one. It is true that these days I spent almost all of my free time with my baby. However, it's not becuase I have to, but because I want to :) Whatever I do, like changing diapers, bathing, baby-swimming, singing to put her to sleep, going for walks with her, playing or just watching her is highly enjoyable and makes me happy. I don't experience this as hard work, but rather as meaningful entertainment.
And what can be more gratifying than your child's happy smile? That's what Anne Sophie been doing for the last few weeks. She smiles at almost everyone who smiles at her. And now she is starting to laugh out loud!
