Big Announcement

Last night Hudson cooed and smiled for the first time! (OK, I realize this isn't that big of an announcement to any of you. We were proud! And in case you were wondering, yes, he is a genius.) We spent the whole night shopping, which he loved because he got to be in the front pack the whole time. Then when we got home he was super-awake and happy, and if he's anything like his dad, I'm sure it was because we were finally done shopping. We were sitting together and as I was talking to Hudson his happy emotions overflowed into his first real coo, which was very clear and loud and it even startled him a little. I was so excited that he'd made his first happy sound, then he started trying to smile (which he's been trying to do for a few days now, but hasn't quite gotten there). Every parent knows what I'm talking about. They're happy, and they're trying so hard to show it- trying everything they can with their little mouth to get the smile out, and then, finally, there it is. His first smile of course led to much affirmation from us and a 20-minute session of us smiling at him like the goofiest parents ever, trying to get him to do it again. He managed to get three good smiles out. So fun to see. That first moment your baby breaks through to communicate with you in a way other than crying, or just using their content-face, is so special. It's like they're saying, "Hey parents! I like you! By the way, thanks for all the help with my diapers for the last 5 weeks and for putting up with the screaming at 3 am. Really, it means a lot. I'll try to get over that soon."