Nothing about parenting has been as I expected, except for this--the utter joy of holding our son for the first time. The rest of the world melted away in that moment as they placed him in my arms and despite the activity of a NICU evening, there was only Will and John and me. The moment turned into an hour and a half. He was so content the nurse asked if I wanted to hold him for her all night. I gladly would have, but I gave him back when it was time for his meds.