Lessons learned and remembered

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We are just putting the wraps on our second weekend as The Kid's parents.  Getting her ready for bed seems to be taking longer lately, mostly because I think she's afraid she is going to be missing something if she closes her eyes.  So I had a little more time to reflect on what I've learned about her since she came home and some of the things I've remembered from all the time I spent with my cousins when they were born.
  • Little ones, especially when they are under a year old, feed off of the emotions of the people around them.  My cousin Logan seemed to know when I was frustrated and tired, which would upset him, making my night longer.
  • The Kid has a different cry for every occasion.  There is the, "how dare you take that from me, I wanted it," cry.  There is the, "I'm so mad, if I knew how to speak, I'd curse you out," cry.  And there is the heartbreaking thermonuclear cry, when she's so tired and upset that she just can't be comforted.  
  • I'm especially glad that I remembered not to hold The Kid above my head after she eats under any circumstances.  
  • I dare you to find something on this earth that smells worse than a poopy diaper.
  • Kids love routines.  My cousin Adam use to wake me up every morning around 10 a.m. for his "second" breakfast.  He would sit on my lap while I tried eating my cereal, which eventually turned into me giving him half my cereal each morning.  
  • Thomas the Tank Engine is still cool, even if he is a little cheeky.  
  • Kids will put anything into their mouth, including dog toys.  In fact, I think kids are genetically predisposed to putting all dog toys into their mouths.  
  • I dare you to find any sound as joyful as The Kid shrieking with laughter.  It's like a treat she gives me just for being her father.   

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