What runs through the mind of a baby when it dreams? What thoughts occur to that slumbering mind? Are they based on what they know or do they ascend to a different level of consciousness where they can interpret what they see through a more sophisticated eye?

This morning, Baby Gertrude lay slumbering in our bed while we waited to get into the shower, the alarm only minutes away from buzzing. If she had been put back in her bed she surely would have woken up again, after her pre-dawn food. So it was for our sanity that she slept between us.

I awoke to find her head planted firmly in my back with her little hand grasping my arm. She was quiet and content. But, I was hanging off the bed, so she had to be moved, lest I fall and crack my skull on the nightstand.

She was moved into a position that was parallel to mine and she stirred. A little back scratching and she was slumbering once again. With her held in my arms, a contentment which most of the world surely cannot understand, I fell back into slumber.

And was interrupted by the alarm. I leaned over and shut it off, cursing the forward movement of time in moments as perfect as this. Why must I give up a cuddling baby for the purposes of work and obligation? Would my talents not serve me better here? Should I not shirk all other duties and simply love this child with all my might?

She began to whimper and stir, but did not awaken. Rather, she seemed troubled in her sleep as she kicked her chubby little feet and furrowed her cute little brow.

She was having a nightmare. A nine-month old’s version, at least.

What could she have been dreaming about? Running out of food? Being left in a room alone? An uncomfortable diaper?

And yet she dreamed. No thoughts of crime, punishment or taxes. She probably wasn’t dreaming of mortal danger or accidentally going to her sitter’s naked. She likes being naked. So, what was bothering her? What process was that little mind running? Where were her thoughts?

I’ll never know the level of sophistication of her little brain waves, I suppose. All I can do in those moments, awake or asleep, is hold her. Assure her that she is safe and loved.

And that’s what I did. I put my arm around her to let her know that daddy was there. She cuddled up closer to me and heaved a contented sigh.

And then she farted.