People are always asking me, “Is Michael always this happy?”
The answer is basically yes. He’s a very smiley baby, and if he isn’t it’s because he a) needs a diaper change, b) is hungry, or c) is tired. I credit the NICU. If ten days being poked, prodded, and forced to lie for hours on end on your tummy doesn’t make you easy-going, nothing will.
But on those odd occasions when Michael does get fussy, I know a sure-fire way to make him happy again:
Bath time in our house is not the parental activity of choice. We don’t bathe kids every night, not because we hate it (although we do), but because kids don’t need to be bathed every day. Bath time in our house involves lots of screaming and bickering and above all, a lot of WORK. The work centers, as you might imagine, around the middle two. Alex goes off and takes a shower. And Michael? The instant his feet touch the water, his eyes light up.
I love giving Michael baths. LOVE it. First of all, it takes about ten seconds to wash a baby. And second, it just makes me happy to see him play with such serious concentration.
Christian tells me the babies have always basically liked baths, except for Julianna, who was so terrified of the water I had to get in the tub with her, washing her on my legs to keep from traumatizing her. And I remember the kids liking baths, but I don’t remember looking forward to baby bath time the way I do now.
Doesn’t all that baby fat just make you hungry? Doesn’t that smile make your day?
You’re welcome. 🙂
Kathleen M. Basi 
Oh my, he is so cute! I love the picture where he’s checking out his toes. And yes, it totally made my day!
We have the exact same tub (it’s survived 4 kids so far!). Gabriel loves baths too. I love the moment when they discover splashing!
Yes, that smile does in fact make my day! ADORABLE!
What a cutie!
That is such a cute baby. You clearly have to work out a way to bottle that cuteness and sell it as the key to world peace.
LOL! If we all have such cuteness itakes you wonder why the world is in such dire straits, doesn’t it?
Awww, what a cutie! Both my kids love baths now that they’re 5 and 3 (although yes, they get crazy) but when he was a baby my younger son always looked SO startled when we put him in the bathtub. Like, “What the heck are you guys DOING to me?!”
So adorable! The one with Michael examining his foot is so precious.
Absoutely adorable!! Brings back happy memories. I am with you on bath time. Not necessary everyday and not always fun. I love the picture of him examing his foot. Thanks.