With Becky in Vegas, Tegan and Ed headed out to the suburbs this weekend, putting me on Warren Blvd. all alone. I was surprised how odd it felt for me to not have anyone near me. I even let Fox, our dog, snuggle in bed with me on Saturday night:) I’m at home with Tegan a lot, so having him gone was especially weird. On Sunday afternoon, it was an amazing feeling to have them back at home. You miss the people you love, even if it’s for one day.

Not to mention, Tegan reached a new milestone on that trip away from home. Tegan was butt naked, about to get in the bath when Ed said, “Hey, watch this. He can walk.” I let go of his hands and he took the few steps to his dad. Seeing both Tegan and Ed light up was so exciting. We clapped (including T) and did it a few more times for good measure.

Watching a baby grow is the best part about my job. I get paid money, but I also get the reward of a child. I’m reminded when we’re in his room quietly reading books. When I make him laugh. When he learns something from me. When he clings to me when he’s scared. When he claps his little hands. When we dance in the kitchen together. When he smiles and takes those first steps into my arms.

I respect every mom who only gets paid with these little moments. Unlike me, they don’t get breaks. I imagine all the crying, cleaning, diaper-changing, stressful moments of raising a child become minimal when their little chubby faces light up and out comes a baby chuckle. Moms get paid in love and laughs.

It was J.M. Barrie who wrote, “When the first baby laughed for the first time, his laugh broke into a million pieces, and they all went skipping about. That was the beginning of fairies.”