How would it be?

My 7-mo-old was laying on the floor when he discovered something of great interest. A big, red soccer ball. Way too big too fit into his mouth which is where everything else goes. I wondered whether it held his interest because it was a challenge he was up to. How to get the ball into his mouth. Or if he wanted it because it belonged to his older brother. Somehow his brothers toys are much more appealing to him, especially if brother is currently playing with it.
Just as baby got up on his knees, fell and then scooted with his arms (some sort of air force version of the high crawl) and headed straight for the ball, I scooped him into my arms and we headed out the door. And I thought how frustrating would that be? You fix your eyes on something and just as your about to get it, it's gone in a flash.
I wonder, do babies really think they have it so good? You always here people say "how would it be?" How would it be to get carried around all day? Hmmm, on the flip side, how would it be when you are looking right at something and suddenly, the person carrying you turns away. You strain your neck to find that object again but it's gone. How would it be to have someone feed you? Well, how would it be if all they gave you was green beans and bananas? It took seven different feedings over the course of two months for Matthew to finally eat green beans. He finally said, "Fine. If that's all she'll give me, I'll eat the gross stuff and then she'll give it to me less." How would it be to have someone change your diapers for you? This morning I woke up to a very smelly Matthew who had gone #2 sometime in the middle of the night and then slept in it. How would it be when mom doesn't wake up and you have to sleep in your diaper all night? Well, he didn't seem to mind so much but I sure did when I had to take him in the shower and my oldest did because he could smell it!
So when I tear Matthew away from the red soccer ball because it's time to go, I would like to ask him, "How would it be?" I think he would say something like, "How could you? I was almost there!" But as I buckle him in the car seat I notice that his eyes are already fixed on something else and I would like to think he's already forgotten about the red ball. Well, if not, I've begun training him for that day when he thinks he's going to get that great job and doesn't. Or when he asks out that pretty girl and she says no. And I tell myself I am a good mom because I am teaching him a very important lesson about dissapointment.