Stripped down to nothing, I lay you in the tub. The water is warm, and it takes a moment for you to adjust. But sure as the sun comes up each morning, after you've taken a few deep breaths you'll smile and coo and splash with such gusto, you'd think you didn't get to do this every night.
I let you play. You splash. You kick. You swim. The bathtub is your ocean. I pull out a soaking washcloth and wring it out, letting it rain over your pale pink body. You splash, you kick, you swim some more. You turn your head to the side and take in a sip of water. Oops, too much. You turn your head back. But ooooh, you want more. You smile and turn your head, and are startled once more.
Time to wash up! First your hair, then your neck, arms, tummy, bottom, legs, and back. Let's rinse off. You love the warm water swishing over your body. All clean!
You play some more. You play until the water gets cold or your fingers start to wrinkle or you pee, whichever comes first. Then it's out you come. Drip, drip, drip that water off your body. Brush, brush, brush, that fluffy towel over your skin.
(Safely) back in a diaper, it's time for powder. Nevermind what "the experts" now say these days about the dangers of inhaled baby powder. It smells too good and it feels so wonderful to rub it all over your soft, soft body. So we use it. And you love it. Just like I loved it when I was little like you.
Pajama time! You know, having to get dressed again after a nice bath is a disappointment, isn't it? Being naked is so freeing, and sleeves are more trouble than they're worth. But you'll thank me later for the clothes, later when it's cold and you're tired and you want to be bundled up and held close.
Yep, bath time is the best time. I think I look forward to it every night as much as you do. So what do you say: me and you, at the tub, about 8:00? Great! 'Til then, buddy!
10 comments:
Cute, cute! And what a great description by the mommy commentator! I feel about the same way about baths. I feel bad for my husband, since he's too big to fit in a tub anymore. :)
lindsay, he is so cute. how old is garrett? he has to be close to henry's age... every time I read things about garrett, I think, "yep... we're doin that with Henry too!"
OK he is so cute. I have never laid my kids in the tub like that before. I bet they would've loved it.
Kristeee - Thanks!
MommyJ - He'll be 4 months at the end of October. How old is your Henry?
Jenny - We started laying him in the tub like this when he outgrew the baby tub. I think he likes this way much better -- at least, there's more room for him to swim around in.
And everyone -- Thanks! We think he's cute too. That's why we're gonna keep him. :)
oh, with a baby - bath time IS the BEST time! sometimes it was all I could do just to make it to 8:00pm! Garunteed happy time!
Your beautiful words brought back so many memories!! So well written! And WHAT A CUTIE!! He's getting so big!
I do know how to spell 'guaranteed' :) But you'd love me even if I didn't...right?? :)
Baby bath times are always cute. And what is it about kids loving to be naked. I think it's innate.
Eek- bathtime is not always happy time for every baby! Some babies, like mine, have taken months to get from crying hysterically every time to just being surprised the entire time. We started bathing her in the sink, and I may move to her baby tub soon - she may be ready. She has not been as fond of bathtime as Garrett but I hope she is soon b/c that is real cute!!! I love how they all move and flail and jerk around the same though. It looks animatronic.
Henry was 6 months on the 24th of october... hey, that's today!
Whew, I didn't think I was gone that long! He's looking so grown up already. Very cute :)
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