Roly Poly and the Slinky

There’s no doubt about it: in the “Love Languages,” my primary language is “physical touch.” At least, where my kids are concerned. Ever since Alex was born, I’ve been a mommy who craves skin contact…kisses, chews, hugs, wrestling, and horseplay. I have lots of little games I play/ed with each child in turn. Like singing “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” while moving their arms in and out, up and down. It looks ridiculous, but the kids love it.

You can’t plan the moment when the time is right to introduce the next game; it just happens one day. Yesterday morning, I was sitting with Nicholas on my lap before church, trading googly giggles with him, with his hands wrapped around my thumbs. And suddenly, without thinking, I tipped him backwards over my knees. As he hung there upside down, his big gummy smile said it all.

It’s so funny to see the difference between Nicholas and Julianna, who’s still small enough for this game. Nicholas is such a roly poly. He curls up into a little ball that rolls, Pilates style, but doesn’t unfold. So when he tips over, his little feet go straight up in the air, and his whole body holds a sitting position all the way down. Julianna, on the other hand, our little contortionist—the girl who bends in half, who frequently sleeps with one leg straight up in the air—Julianna arches her back as she goes down, and nearly reaches 90 degrees with her legs still wrapped around my waist. She’s like a human Slinky.

I hate pretend play, but I love those physical games. Those are the moments when I feel most connected to my children—the moments when I feel like a mother, instead of just a caregiver. But best of all is watching the way the other two react when I start playing with Nicholas. They crowd around, one on either side of us, grinning ear to ear as they watch their baby brother’s initiation into the club. I chew on Nicholas’s cheek, blow raspberries into his neck, and as he guffaws, Alex barrels his way in between us, yelling “My baby!” Then, gritting his teeth in a perfect imitation of Mommy, he yells at the top of his formidable lungs, “NICHO-WUS, YOU ARE SOOOOOOO CUTE!”

As a bonus today, how about some pictures? While I went to a birthday party with Alex last night, Christian decided to multitask. As in, bathe the baby while doing dishes.