On the day your first child is born you are at once overwhelmed and at peace.

When he or she first learns to walk you are enveloped by a sense of wonder; things you typically took for granted seem like tiny miracles.

When he or she first learns to talk its like their personality is finally breaking through the shell of infancy.

When he or she first defies you, you question wether you patience will hold out for 20 odd years (or longer).

When he or she first brings punishment upon his or her self, you fear that you have been too harsh.

When the punishment is over, you really want to apologize.

When he or she first falls asleep on a long car trip they are at once the picture of innocence.

When he or she first climbs up on the roof, you wonder how the hell they got up there.

When you read this, relax, I made that last one up.