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                    Misc.kids Frequently Asked Questions
                       Good Things About Having Kids

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Collection maintained by: Benjamin V.C. Collins, collins@campus.mlc.edu
Last updated: July 10, 1996 [Updates added at the end.]

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=============================================================================
[The question that started it all:]

Hello,

I'm due in February and though I'm well aware of the many sacrifices
and heartache involved in child-rearing, I'm at a loss when it comes
to the upside of raising a family.  Can anyone remind me of some of 
the more positive things I have to look foward to?

Thanks,
Avern Harrison

**********
[And the replies:]

The first good hardy laugh.
It's just priceless.

Taylor's first laugh was in New York on Ellis Island at about 4 months
while we were walking down a flight of stairs. She is 4.5 now.

David's was at 4 months at home when Taylor was "boo"ing him. He is just
over 4 months now.

**********

Now that I think about it, it is hard to remember the heartaches of
child-rearing, but I can sure remember the good ones!

On child-rearing:
"There will always be hard times. As newborns you have to tend to them
constantly. Soon they begin to crawl, you now have to watch what they get
into. Then they walk, and you have to watch where they go. Then they turn
16 and want to drive your car. The hard times never go away, they just
change in form. And then one day, they move out, and you wish you had more
hard times."

---something a friend told me a few days before my first was born.

Enjoy it. It just doesnt get any better than this!

**********

The joy of holding a sleeping trust child
More sleep than you got while pregnant (YMMV, of course, but I got up
   hourly in the last trimester, and twice a night the first six weeks
   after birth--definitely a bit improvement :-)
The first smile
A little child saying 'mama'
Becoming excited over commonplace things that make your child laugh
Being able to play with building blocks again
The complete love of a little one

People talk about how "hard" it is to be a parent, and while I
wouldn't say it's _easy_, it's not hard in the ways people say it will
be.  Sometimes it's hard for me to stay calm while my child is losing
control, or hard to play yet another toddler-level game, but mostly
it's exciting and challenging and wonderful--I couldn't imagine being
without him!

-- 
--Beth Weiss
bweiss@cs.arizona.edu

**********

ok, avern, i'll bite.  i have two little monsters, soon-to-be-3-years-old
(a girl, alex) and almost-18-months-old (a boy, emmett).  the main upside
to having children that i have noticed so far is the opportunity you get
to experience the purest love known to humans.  i mean there is a depth
and a dimension to a child's love that cannot be matched - unconditional,
focused, intense, innocent love.

other good things include the millions of things i have learned since i
have had them - things i have learned about myself, about others, about
life, about what is really important...about tolerance and patience, about
irony, about family.

>> I'm due in February and though I'm well aware of the many sacrifices
>> and heartache involved in child-rearing

well i am not sure who you've been talking to, but lots of people feel
a need to badger pregnant women with the down side of things.  and yet
somehow, people keep having children, and in fact people often have more
than one.  so how terrible can it be? :-)  i can only speak for myself and
what i can tell you is that i have never known a love like the love
between my kids and i.  they are a part of me, yet they are individuals.
they have let me explore a side of myself that i would not have otherwise
known.

sure there are times when they throw a tantrum, or refuse to cooperate.
and there are times when a bunch of friends are going out after work or
having a party and i have to miss out.  and maybe money is a bit tighter
than it used to be - is that what you mean by heartache and sacrifice?
all of these things seem so insignificant to me when compared to the
joy i get and the love i feel from my two little monsters.  i wouldn't
trade my life now for all the  in 
the world.

good luck.

veek

**********


Avern,
	A little scary, isn't it!?
Here's what I liked about being a new mom:
	 I loved being able to pick up an crying newborn and simply by 
holding him 
make him feel loved and secure. There is nothing like the total devotion your 
baby feels for you. They trust you, need you, want to be close to you, love to 
snuggle with you.  It's a thrill when they first smile, when they first laugh, 
when they reach up for you to pick them up.  I used to go into my kids' rooms 
and watch them sleep and marvel that I had helped create such a being.  They 
soak up your love and attention for weeks and weeks and then suddenly they are 
able to give some of it back by acknowledging you and they squirm and wiggle 
with delight when they see you. 
	Gee, I'm kind of envious of you now.  
Mine are 8 and 11, and they're terrific 
kids, but that new baby time is magical. (Of course, I have on my rose-colored 
rear-view glassses... there is a tad of stress and worry, as I recall)

Barbara

**********

Avern,
    Who ever put it into your head that raising a family is making so 
many sacrafices and burdens?

    Raising is family is definitely hard and it doesn't come with an 
instruction booklet, but it has so many, many daily rewarding aspects.  
I'm a married mom of two a boy and girl and we did not plan either one of 
the kids.  In fact our first child was one we definitely weren't ready 
for, actually the second one too, but it was a learning experience.  
You're gonna make mistakes and that's okay.  If you didn't I would not 
consider you normal.  You have yet to look forward to watching your 
child's face as it recognizes your voice.  The first time your baby 
smiles just at your is absolutely wonderful.  The accomplishment your 
baby will make, like lifting his/her head, cutting a tooth, giggling, 
rolling over, creeping, and so on.  Watch your child's face when he/she 
first touches a flower or sees a bug.  Watch your child when he/she is 
sitting on the front lawn and plays in the grass in wonder.  Sing a song 
to your child over and over and wait till that day when he/she starts 
singing it to you.  Oh there's so much.  The best of all is when your 
child hugs you and just looks at you like you're a million.  Right now 
you can't totally imagine all this, but believe me you will see.  

   Don't get me wrong, there are many tough times, but that goes without 
thinking.  There's a lot of milestone I have yet to gain with my kids, 
but knowing I'll be there to help, is something to look forward.  You're 
gonna have a human being that will love you so much and you will love back.


Debbie

**********

Oh, Avern....there is everything to look forward to:

Smiles. Laughter. Love. Hugs. Kisses. New discoveries.
Realizing the the world really is an ok place, and that it's full of all
kinds of interesting things that you forgot about...like the ceiling fan
blades spinning, or looking at the mini-blinds and seeing the world from
a striped point-of-view.
Growth. Seeing this new little person grow up into a great big person that
YOU RAISED and had so much to do with.
Looking at the person and saying to yourself..."I *made* this"..."WOW"!

Life is a wonderful thing. Parenting is hard, but the rewards far, far
outweigh the work.

good luck.
Carrie
Caszandra's Mom

**********

I've been lurking for the last few months (I've just received my first
child - now 4 1/2 months.)
The most surprising thing about it so far has been my
pre-birth conceptions of the sacrifices and difficulties I'd face.
Things that I anticipated as the most stressing have turned out
to be the some of the most pleasurable.  Changing his diaper is a
job I *actually enjoy* and look forward to.  He just comes alive
when he's on the changing table getting his clothes removed.  Daddy
grabbing his belly button gets wide open silent laughter.  (It's still work
to get a verbal laugh.)  Ditto bath time.  And taking a tired, cranky
baby in the middle of the night, my largest pre-birth fear, and rocking
him asleep - watching him try his hardest to stay awake.  Feeding him
his first squash, seeing him apprehensively check it out, and then
opening his mouth - head back - and not being able
to get the stuff fast enough.

I keep expecting the difficulties and heartaches, but so
far it's been nothing but pleasure.

I'll check back when he turns two.

Jim Lutz
lutz@oasys.dt.navy.mil

**********

Hi Avern,

My son is 16 months old and they've truly been the best 16 of my life!
Here are some of the great things:

o looking at your precious little newborn and knowing that you made him/her
o Baby's first (and every subsequent) smile
o ditto baby laughs
o watching your child grow and learn to do things and become more independent
o trying to figure out what's going on inside that little head, esp. once they
begin to communicate a bit
o watching your little one start to develop his/her own unique personality
o walking into a room and having your child light up with joy
o being the center of someone's universe
o when your toddler sees someone kissing on TV and runs up to give you a
big kiss
o having someone to read all your favorite children's books to, and play
with all those great toys with
o taking your toddler to the zoo and watching him explode with laughter
watching the animals play
o getting a second chance to see things with the wonder of a child (and to
appreciate the simple things you've long taken for granted, like the way
shadows dance on the wall when you wiggle your fingers in front of the 
dining room chandelier)
o all the cute things they do and say every day (look for the CTTS and CTTD
threads for examples) :)
o watching (or even better, holding) a peaceful sleeping baby/child 

Sure, there's a lot of responsibility, and some not so great times
(esp.  when they're sick or testing your limits) but if you make sure
to take the time to appreciate the small joys of having young children,
these can be the best days of your life!

Good luck, and enjoy!

--Robyn

**********

  The short term payoffs: you won't be pregnant anymore (no more
  heartburn, you can sleep on your tummy should you choose to, you can
  bend over to tie your own shoelaces, you can soon have a glass of wine
  now and then without worrying about birth defects...)

  The long term payoffs: these are harder to define. Of course, there is
  the first smile, the first "Mama", looking at life though childish eyes
  again, but this sort of stuff doesn't capture the "feeling". A friend 
  once asked me (a DINK): "What's it like to have a child?". I told him
  that it's something you don't think you'd ever miss, until you became
  a parent. If I might digress to scientific allegory: it's like you are
  part of a most wondrous experiment with you and your spouse as principal
  investigators, and even though it requires constant attention, you know
  you are engaged in something big, and that the end result has the
  potential to change the world.  

  The sleepless nights don't last forever, nor does the diapering, the
  potty training, nor the terrible twos. (The worrying about the kids
  does last the rest of your lives, though.) And once you have that
  bundle in your arms, your view of the world will never be quite the
  same again.

					Caren Feldman
 
**********

	Well despite being extremely tired myself, one of the things I really 
look forward to is just going home and holding my son.  He is just starting
to knowingly smile and recogize our voices.  It gives me great pleasure
to hold him and have him look me straight in the eyes and smile like "I'm
glad your home dad, I need to be changed!" :-) 
	Looking down on him while he's sleeping so soundly always sends
warm feelings up my spine too! That would be during the day. :-)

	Now if we could just get him to sleep through the night! :-)
	Bob, daddy to Tyler Shane 11/4/94

**********

You can buy toys and video games and junk food, go to playgrounds
and kid's museums and amusement parks, enjoy it all tremendously,
and not feel weird about it, because your kid is with you.

You become a better person because you have to set a good example.
So your table manners improve, and you cut down on swearing
and television (YMMV).

Similarly, the world becomes a better place.  Taking a walk around
the neighborhood with the stroller, you marvel at how friendly
your neighbors are, the vivid green of the grass, how many birds
are out singing.

Other parents bragging about their kids suddenly aren't boring.

You have a good excuse for graying hair and a sagging body.  These
things would happen anyway, but you get a great kid in exchange!

And you make your parents so very, very happy.

Jo Pitesky
pitesky@bonnie.astro.ucla.edu

**********

The first time your baby smiles at you, while looking into your eyes.
Your toddler yelling "Mommy, Mommy, MOMMY!" at the top of his lungs and 
nearly knocking you down with a fearce (sp?) hug to the knees when you 
pick him up at grandma's.
The first time your child calls you "mamma" or "dada" and means *you*.
The delight of watching your child learn what a rock is, or an ant, or 
how to ride a big wheel.  Or giving them thier first cookie.  :-)
Watching them sleep.
Being the only one that can "kiss it better".  Or feeling bad yourself, 
and having *them* kiss *you* better. 

--
Kandi Hopkins, Columbus, OH
kandi@infinet.com

**********

Tyler, now 9 months, just noticed shadows on Christmas day.  We were
standing in the kitchen when all of a sudden he started waving at the
wall.  It didn't take us long to figure out he was waving at our
shadows.  So I proceeded to make a shadow show for him.  Ahhh, don't you
just love these times??!!

Vanessa

**********

The best thing about toddlers is when
they look at you so triumphantly and yell "I DID it!" after
accomplishing something you consider so trivial, like putting on your
pants. That is just so cool.

--
Marjorie Peskin (formerly mrp@world.std.com)
Mum to Graham and Gemma Topaz, 8/24/92

**********
Or... when your child comes to your departments party the Friday before
Christmas and as Grandma's getting ready to take her home she wraps her
arms around you and says "Mother, I'm going to miss you terribly!"

Sigh :-)

Lynne ("mother" to Grace - 12/20/91)

**********

My favorite trivial but wonderful thing is when you're walking with a little 
person, you put your hand out and this tiny soft warm hand just slips right 
in, without even a thought or a word...almost instinctively.  Such trust and
such love and such confidence in mommy always being right there to hold on to
you. 

I know my 3-year old will still do it, and my almost-6-year old doesn't 
anymore.  So I'm treasuring those little connected moments while I can.

Ann Helmers

**********

[Responding to the previous]
Oh yes, this is great isn't it? Especially when the hand is warm and
chubby and just so perfectly squishy in your own hand. And I'm so
blessed. I get to walk every day with two of those hands in mine. Of
course, that means I can never carry anything myself, but hey...what's
more important? :-)

--
Marjorie Peskin (formerly mrp@world.std.com)
Mum to Graham and Gemma Topaz, 8/24/92

**********

How about when your toddler puts his hand gently on your shoulder, leans 
forward to look into your face and graces you with the sweetest smile 
you've ever seen!

Or when your six year old gives you a big hug and says "mommy, you're 
getting skinnier!" (and she didn't even know I was trying)

Or when your toddler grabs his pants off of the floor, puts them in the 
basket and applauds his accomplishment.

Adana Davis                        

**********

My new favorite has to do with the radio controlled Big Bird Jeremiah got 
for Christmas.  (He's 2-1/2)  He tried and tried to get it to work 
"right" and finally told me "Mommy I can't do it!".  I told him "Sure you 
can, let Mommy show you." And then I did.  When it the bus "went" he 
jumped up and down and said "I CAN do it!  I CAN!  I DID! Mommy, LOOK!"

--
Kandi Hopkins, Columbus, OH
kandi@infinet.com

**********

Good Things about having kids?  How about the varied forms of sleep?  Since
kids, I have come to appreciate all the different flavors, like:

Falling asleep together while nursing,
Dozing with a sleeping baby on your chest,
That first 6-hour ininterrupted sleep after you bring them home,
Diving back into bed for a "quickie" sleep between 6:00-8:00 am.
LOng luxurious sleeps when you go away for a weekend (all the more
precious because they  are rare) or the other parent takes care
of the kids in the morning.

Preeva

**********

I just had to post this.  Today Justin,2, got up from his nap and made
me feel like he is such a BIG boy now!  Hecame out of his room and
looked at me and said, "Hi MOM(mot mommie as usual),  whatcha doin?"
MOM, that's such a "not baby" word!  And then i got ready for workand he
said " Go work?" and I said yes and he said
"sit",so I sat on the floor.  He gave me the biggest hug and sloppiest
kiss and  said  "I luv you MOM".  I wanted to cry!!
 For the poster who asked about the GOOD things of child-rearing, this
is one of them!!!!

 Lauren Major

**********

From my brief experience, seeing that first smile, hearing the
first cooing and gurgling sounds, and seeing how fast she is 
gaining excellent head control and looking around.

sandra
Mom to Mikayla Marie - 11/21/94

**********

This morning's experience:

Walking into Ethan's room to wake him up.  He stirred, not even opening
his eyes, put his arms up to be held, and snuggled up against my shoulder.
After breakfast, he walked up to my still sleepy husband and said "I go
brush my teef".  Brought a smile to that sleepy face.

Or the morning I walked into his room wearing green (his favorite), and he
said "Mommy looks bu-tiful" (I didn't even know he knew the word).

Amy
Mom to Ethan (2YO next Sunday!)

**********

[Responding to the previous.]
Jeremiah usually says "Mommy, you're so cuuute!" Which he got from my 
neices who are always saying that to him. :-)  Oh, and "Look at dat! Dat's 
so cool!" is another favorite.  

--
Kandi Hopkins, Columbus, OH
kandi@infinet.com

**********

A few good things about having kids that I can think of:

o   Being able to love them and for them to love you.

o   Seeing them having fun and enjoying life.

o   Making them feel special and them knowing that Daddy
	will do anything for them. :)

o   Creating those childhood memories and knowing that
    they will recall them.

o   Thinking about all the positive things that's in store
    for them as they grow older(e.g. What kind of car could
    I get for my 6 yo. down the line. :) )

Rey
(Lauren 8/8/88 & Brittany 1/9/91...my babies)

**********

There have been many, many positive moments throughout my son's life . . . 
in purely selfish terms, I have gained so much through having known him for 
the last ten years.  We were relaxing last night after a hectic Christmas 
vacation and he was telling me how much he had enjoyed our time off from 
school and the chance to reconnect as a family.  He told me, "Mom, I'll bet 
all the babies in Heaven were fighting over who would get you for a mom. 
 And I got you!!"  I still get tears in my eyes when I think of the mutual 
love and respect behind his words.  There are times when parenting is fun, 
times when it is hard work, and times when it is less than enjoyable.  But, 
it is always, always rewarding.

Deb Conrad
conradd@bus.orst.edu

**********

[Commenting on the previous.]
It's those times like Deb describes that are dangerous though. Have
to be careful not to go over and hug them to death. ;-)

ben                             father to Limo (4 yo)

**********

There are thousands of reasons to thankful for having children!  Even
if half of the time you're nerves are too shot to recognize them!  :)

Nick is 16 months, and he is growing up and developing a personality
that just floors his Dad and I.  For instance, a few months ago, he
"figured out" what 'kiss' meant.  I swear you could almost SEE the
light bulb over his head turn on!  :)  Now he will give you a kiss if you
ask (there are times he's gotten his feelings bent, and won't - and we
don't force the issue), and it's really cute to see Nick trot across the
room, wrap his arms around my leg or his Dad's and give our kneecaps a
big kiss, just to show affection!

The other day, I had FINALLY got all of his toys in his room, and 
reclaimed the family room.  Within an hour or two, I noticed a toy here,
a toy there, as if they were walking back out on their own, and I had
to laugh!  Nick just goes about his business of being a little boy, and
he has so many challenges and things to do!  I love watching him play
in his room (when he doesn't know, 'cause he stops playing!), and he's
usually babbling to himself, in his own little language.

There are times you can get so frustrated.  But if you stop and try to
see things through their little eyes, you realize how frustrated they
are!  :)  Very difficult thing, establishing your independence!  :)

I admit we are probably wrapped around his little finger to some 
extent (I would think all parents are), but if the worse thing we do is
spoil him a little, show him as much love possible, try to teach him
right from wrong and keep him safe, then being wrapped around his little
finger isn't so bad.  We wanted Nick because we have such a happy 
and loving relationship in our marriage that we wanted to extend it to
a child. And everyone comments on how happy he is...and that's important.

Now if Nick will just stop freaking out when his Dad and I hug....:)

Diane
Momma to Nick, 8/21/93

**********

One night as my two-year old and I were snuggling on the couch he 
reached over, patted my arm and said "Babies like Mommies."  Talk about 
your warm & fuzzy feelings!

**********

I never had that "hunger" to have a child.  I had an abortion once because I
didn't think our marriage was sound enough to follow through.
	It wasn't until I was 39 that I considered having a child...but this 
year has been the happiest of my life.  We share so much joy, and it's true,
the time-consuming, messy, frustrating tasks are different, if you're doing 
them for your own child.  
 	One needs support, lots of it, and misc.kids provides a great deal.
One of the nicest parts of having a child is the adult friends I've made who
have kids around Anna's age.  And, also, it's such a joyful, universal 
experience to have a baby.  Everyone wants to talk to you, and if you filter 
out the yoyos who give you whiny, down talk, you can enjoy the insights of
other parents and the admiration ofnon-parents.  We live in student housing,
with families from all over the world, and baby Anna has provoked conver-
sations with people from Australia to Turkestan, Gambia to Korea.  Babies
are babies, but other cultures' practices are so interesting.
	They do grow and change so fast that it's like trying to catch one
of those blooms-every-100-years cacti (I just came back from Phoenix...).
I wish you much happiness, Avern.

Ruth Rosen Greenwood  rgreenwo@indiana.edu  

**********

Oh there's so much!!!  The best, I think, is that no matter how hard a 
day you've had with your toddler ("Alex, don't throw the ball in the 
house" for the thousandth time") once they're asleep they are perfect 
angels...

Your first kiss from him/her will melt your heart.

Lori

Mom to Alex, 25 months

**********

Is the glass half empty or half full?  It all depends on how you
look at it.  Kids can drive you crazy if you think they are a 
burden.  They can be the source of untold joy if you think
they are a blessing.  Ever since I started thanking God for 
my two wonderful children every night when I pray with them
(even when I didn't feel like it), our relationship has really 
improved.  It's a two way street, and the more they feel 
appreciated, the more willing they are to cooperate, and the
bigger the upside gets.

Jim Henley

**********

If you sit with your kid when they are sleeping, looking at them and
reviewing THEIR day, as it was for them , you will see how important you
are, and how much 'more' out of life you 'get' with them..
 
If you listen to your kids, really listen, you will see a whole new world
you can experience, too.

As a mum of 2 under 5, I know they are just slices of heaven to my sense
of peace, and they give me another lease on life. Selfish,a bit, but that
is the positive thing i can think of for you..
Lyen

**********

That lovely warm feeling you get when she ...

         smiles at you like you're the most wonderful person in the world
         laughs when you make funny faces at her
         snuggles into your arms so trustingly and goes to sleep
         reaches up those gorgeous little chubby arms to you as much as to say
                 "I want my Mummy"

and when other people say ...

          she's so BEAUTIFUL!

That amazing sense of achievement (even though YOU didn't do it) 
you get when she ...

          sits up on her own
          rolls over
          claps hands
          waves bye-bye
          plays peek-a-boo
          ... get the picture? When she does ANYTHING she never did before!

The relief when ...

          the midwife says "It's a girl and she's perfect!"
          the doctor says "It's just a cold"
          she sleeps the night through for the first time

And the way you suddenly have something in common with a whole 
new group of people, many of whom you didn't have anything in 
common with before!

Lesley Harkin
lcooke@bfsec.bt.co.uk

**********

My two babies have grown into young men. The joy and wonder of watching
them become adults is just as exciting as their younger accomplishments.
Now, however,  I can't fix all their mistakes and "make it better", so I
worry more......  but they seem to be doing just fine.  For me, nothing I
have accomplished in my life is more important than the job of parenting.
It has been difficult at times, but I don't regret any of the struggle.  I
look at them now and I am amazed and delighted to see them grow into adult
men. At the end of my life, I know it will be my greatest achievement. 
Enjoy every minute with your new baby!!!


Marianne Mooney Rhoads
CroninLane@aol.com

**********

Christopher had to have tubes put in his ears Wednesday.
(11 infections and 9 antibiodics in 6 months with no
breaks in between)

Anyway, for those who haven't been through this
experience, it is much harder on the parent than the child.

From the way they act, you would never know they had had
surgery.

Well, that evening we were having dinner and Christopher
was ready to get down from the high  chair.

Then he said "mmmaaammma, mamma".

Well, I will forever say that is what he said:-).
                              
**********

Although it may sound like a cliche, I suspect that when you have your 
child you will immediately think of a million great reasons why you had 
him/her. . .It's a little late for ambivalence now, isn't it?  But 
seriously, I have two and they are the greates things in my life, bar 
none.  yes, they are a lot of work. yes they can be frustrating, yes they 
take time and energy and money and time and time and energy and time.  
But, as a fiction writer, friend, wife, daughter, etc., nothing is more 
rewarding than being a mother.  Besides, if you do a good job as a parent 
just think of what you have offered to the world:  a healthy, happy not 
screwed up adult.  What a treat!  GIve it a whirl (you have no choice 
about now anyway!  might as well give it your best shot.) You will always 
have doubts, that is natural, but it is a wonderful thing, being a 
parent. Honest.

**********

I'm not normally the sentimental type but...

Having busied myself tidying Alex's bedroom I drew the curtains. I then
turned and decided to shake some creases out of his duvet. As I pulled the
duvet it disturbed his music box, in which he has shown renewed interest
and had left in his bed.

The mainspring had just enough twist in it to play one final note. There,
in the halfdark of the room a single plaintive ping cut through the
silence, and I experienced a moment of great stillness.

Then I thought of my son, and how much I loved him. I choked up with
emotion and my eyes grew moist.


BCNU, Gordon

PS Good luck for next month Avern.

**********
Hi! I have a two year old son named Joel and while I went through a lot of
problems in the first year, colic and allergies and ear infections, the second
year was absolutely delightful. Just the things he says and the wonderful
physical closeness and affection we share makes it all worthwhile. I have taken
to recording some of his sayings so that I don't forget them. LIke "I never get
a rest"  and  " I can't fly, I have no wings"  and his prayers are just
incredible "Thank you God for rainbows and sunshine and the Twist." or"thank
you God for picking my nose."  
     I even know people who have enjoyed the infant part. Read all you can
about parenting and health. Watch out for cow's milk ( a lot of kids are
allergic) and read alternative material on vaccinations before you give them to
your baby.
 From Lynda Trono on the computer of Jane Matthews

**********

People have listed so many of the positive things about having children, 
and they are so right about all of them.  To me, the most positive thing 
about having children is something I can't articulate.  It's the depth of 
love you feel that words can't really describe, at least I can't.  It's 
nothing like the love you feel for your husband or parents.  To me it's a 
gift from God - that pure love that nothing else can touch.  I don't 
think I could have ever experienced such an emotion without my children, 
and I'm very thankful every day, no, every hour of every day.  I hope you 
find that, too.

Macy Coffey
Washington & Lee University Law Library
Lexington VA  24450  

**********

--The first time my baby grabbed his toe and smiled at me.
--When my baby holds his arms out to me, I pick him up, he snuggles
  against my neck and cuddles.  (The baby breath is a plus too.)
--The peacefull sound of his breathing while he sleeps.

-----The absolute GREATEST!--- When he is sitting on my lap, cocks his
     head and looks at me with love radiating from his sweet face.

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