Caitlin Flanagan wrote that something about motherhood snapped into place for her, or at least became easier, when she first heard her son bless her after a sneeze. A similar thing has happened this week with me. The Bug has emerged as a social, quick-thinking, talkative little guy, but for me, something snapped when he started hugging me. Never when I ask for it - surely not, no! - but on his own, at random. He squeezes now, and sometimes gives me that little "just friends" pat.

He is so much work, and often I fight him for every little thing, but he has the power to fix it all in one tiny moment. To make it worthwhile. I suppose that means he'll also have the power, later, to dash me against the brick wall, but I'll enjoy this for now.