Five months ago, this happened.

Five months. 157 days. That one there on the left? Her entire life so far is shorter than an IRS filing extension, but she has a personality. She has opinions. She remembers what made her laugh yesterday and refuses even to acknowledge the same trick today, because she is onto us and she can’t stand laziness or unoriginality. Come to think of it, the one on the right is like that too.

How she got here was both extraordinary and mundane. We opted for natural childbirth — well, I say “we,” but I have no delusions about who ran that show. I just helped. I told my wife she was strong and that she could do it when she thought she would die first. I held her when she couldn’t stand. I bit the inside of my cheek so I could lie to her that I wasn’t scared. I stroked her hair.

And she did it. I have no idea how, because just watching her do it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

These two ladies are what I’m thankful for. There are other things, but right now, they’re it. They’re everything.

I can’t wait to see what makes them laugh today.