And then I remembered what life's all about.

It was early, but it was already getting dark. Smoochy Girl was bathed and dressed. She cuddled in close and put her head on my shoulder.

It's too early for bedtime, I thought. But she does seem sleepy.

I could hear the sounds of Sonny Ma-Jiminy playing happily in the bath.

For once, I would not agonise over whether it was the right time to let Smoochy go to sleep. In fact, right now I wasn't even going to decide whether I'd put her down or let her play a bit longer. I was just going to enjoy the moment while it lasted.

I sank into the chair beside her cot. The room was warm and dark. She snuggled into my body like a baby possum. Her hair smelled fresh and clean. Her breaths were soft and regular, puffing gently onto my neck. I patted her back and she patted my arm in response. She sucked her wrap and her eyelids flapped low - lower - closed ... half-open again, checking that Mummy was still there.

We hummed to each other. We smiled in the darkness. We pressed our faces together, enjoying the closeness.

Pah-LOONK!

Only one thing in the world makes that pah-loonking noise, and it is not one of the bath toys. "Sonny, what made that noise?"

"A poo."

Yeah great. Smooch, I'll let you go to sleep now. The cuddle was great, but I've got things to do. Let's pick this up tomorrow night; same place, similar time. Perhaps after Sonny's bath.