I caught your first giggle on video. It was an accident.
We had just arrived to Dripping Springs, Texas — traveling all day with a layover and four kids in tow. I set you down on the bed to change your diaper, and I was rustling through our still-packed luggage. My dad walked into the room. You had just met him for the first time a few minutes earlier when we barged into my parents’ calm and clean house with suitcases and car seats and excited children.
He leaned over and started chatting with you — he’s so good with babies — and you were looking up at him enchanted. It was precious, so I grabbed my phone to catch a little video. Right as I clicked record you began giggling up at him — your grandpa with his silly baby sounds. You were just over two months old — a bit young for your first giggle — yet you were making the darling little choking, sputtering sounds that every baby makes as they learn how to laugh with glee. I could not believe I captured it on video. My little baby giving her first laugh to my beloved dad.
The sad part of the story is that I lost the video — along with so many cute photos of your first few months of life. I had some problems with my phone a few days later and had to restore it — losing all my data — including the video of you and your grandpa.
I was devastated for a few days about the loss. In fact, it still makes me sad. But I decided if I can’t have the video, I could write up all the details about your first laugh. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but I’m hoping, this time, a thousand words can replace a picture.
Love you, baby girl.
Mama
