Archive for October 15th, 2008
Bath Time!
Hey folks! Let me tell you, it’s been a busy weekend! We had quite the Thanksgiving! I’ll be posting on that later in the week, because I just can’t let another good hospital story go unheard! That’s right, my long weekend was interrupted by another long wait at a hospital. 
Fear not, we are doing well, but that isn’t the case for everybody… But as I said, check back later in the week for that story.
So, to switch to a brighter note, here’s something I’ve wanted to talk about 
for a while now: the bath. One of Sam’s favorite activities has got to be taking a bath. Thinking back, asking Sam if he “wants to take a bath and go splish splash” has to be one of the earliest triggers for getting an excited reaction from Sam. Around 3 months old, just as he was getting out of that “lump on a log, I eat and poop” baby phase, I would say that magic catch phrase and Sam would start wiggling his arms and kicking both his legs. Now when I say it, he kicks and twists and squeals and giggles and smiles and… well you get the picture. This kid loves water! Well, except for the ocean, he thought that was freaking cold. 
Bath time is now my little routine, and alone time, with Sammy. Melissa takes good care of the squirt all day, so Mom takes a well deserved break and Dad shifts into Mr. Mom mode. I won’t lie, I love it. It’s our father-son time where we can kick back, talk about chicks and have a coupe beers… yeah yeah…. you know I’m kidding. I don’t let Sam drink beer… from the can. I pour a little in his bottle, strap on a nipple and presto! Instant baby-sleep-o potion! Actually, after a big day of fun with Mom, a good bath and bottle are all he needs to send him off to La-La-Land, which I have the pleasure of doing.
Of course, bath time isn’t just all business. Sam has some friends to chew on. We have, of course,
the staple of bath time toys in the rubber ducky. As an added bonus, not only does this rubber ducky provide immeasurable quacking fun for Sam, but he also tells the temperature of the water! Amazing I know… If the rubber ducky should be fortunate enough to escape the clutches of Sam’s ever searching fingers, there are a bevy of sea creature that will surely fall pray to his gaping, gum lined maw. He’s like the Sarlacc in the Great Pit of Carkoon! As you can see in the pic, Mr. Crab has fallen on hard times. Now I’ll have to find a little wheelchair for that legless crab! 
Sam rains down his “bath time martial law” upon the little sea creatures from his sturdy throne. It’s suction-cupped to the bath so it can withstand all of King Sam’s jerks, wiggles and leans. That chair is great, it makes handling a wet, slick baby a breeze. I just pull the suction release tab and lift the whole thing out onto dry ground. It’s a neat little thing that we’ve started using since Sam outgrew his infant bath. Plus, Sam’s a sitter now, he only lies down when he wants to sleep! The infant bath had a sloping bed that’s great for newborns, but not so much for curious, mobile babies. 
Before Sam starts to prune up, I whisk him out of the warm water into his doggy towel. This thing has
got ears, paws and a tail… which are totally there for the enjoyment of the parents. 
Ain’t he cute? Yeah well, I’m allowed to go ga-ga a bit alright!?! By this time, he’s getting a little tired and hungry. He lets me know by grabbing his belly and rubbing his eyes as I dry him off. To be honest, those are the least of my concerns. I’m busy watching down below. You see, Daddy has managed to stay dry this entire time, getting hosed now would not be a good thing. But I have to say, Sam’s been kind to me lately. I can’t remember the last time I got zinged during bath time. I must be doing something right! 
After Sam’s been dried, creamed, diapered and dressed, we head downstairs for a nice warm bottle. Half the time, he’s falling asleep at the nipple. I don’t know where he gets it, I’ve never done that! It’s kind of funny watching him fall asleep in my arms, he likes to rest his hands on something, like my cheek or chin. Then, every thirty seconds, he keeps peeking out the corner of his eye to make sure I’m still there.
That’s when I whisper to him “Don’t worry Sammy, Daddy’s here. Daddy’s here…” and he nods off to sleep. I then bring him upstairs and gently lay him in his crib and tuck him in. By this time, it’s close to 10 P.M. and having a baby fall asleep on you is contagious. Melissa and I would love to get some Zs as well, but now that Sam is finally down for the night… It’s time to clean the house! 
As always, thanks for reading!
