Having numerous kids when the baby comes along can be a big help. All the older siblings vie for time to hold and tend the new baby and Mom and Dad nearly have to make appointments to be able to hold the new little one themselves.
Today I was letting one of my children have his turn "keeping the baby" while I made a batch of healthy cookies. The other four kids were outside in the yard riding bikes.
The baby and his big brother were in the living room where the baby lay on a blanket within my view. The following is the conversation that ensued.
"What are you doing?" I ask, seeing the poor baby, face down and bottom up with big brother trying to move his legs.
"I'm trying to teach him to crawl, but he won't listen."
"Oh, well, I think he's trying. He's just got to build up muscles first, so don't push him too hard." Remember baby is only 3 months old just two days ago.
"What are you doing?" I ask, seeing the poor baby, face down and bottom up with big brother trying to move his legs.
"I'm trying to teach him to crawl, but he won't listen."
"Oh, well, I think he's trying. He's just got to build up muscles first, so don't push him too hard." Remember baby is only 3 months old just two days ago.
I look down to check the recipe and then back up.
"Oh, Baby!" It appears that Baby has become a barrel and the blanket a small hill.
"What? I'm trying to teach him to roll over," Babysitter says innocently.
"Oh, well, I think he's a bit little yet. Little babies like to be moved very slowly and maybe just once... " I'm trying to remain calm.
Next thing I know Child is carrying Baby toward the front door. "Where are you going?"
"He wants me to show him the little dump trucks outside."
"Oh, Baby!" It appears that Baby has become a barrel and the blanket a small hill.
"What? I'm trying to teach him to roll over," Babysitter says innocently.
"Oh, well, I think he's a bit little yet. Little babies like to be moved very slowly and maybe just once... " I'm trying to remain calm.
Next thing I know Child is carrying Baby toward the front door. "Where are you going?"
"He wants me to show him the little dump trucks outside."
I raise an eyebrow. "Really? He told you that?"
He walks through the kitchen and heads toward the back door.
"Where are you going now?"
"Can't I just put him on the swing and hold his hands on real tight and push him gentle?"
"Buddy, he's just to little for that. I think he'd rather just have you talk to him in here."
He pauses on his way back through as he looks toward the craft supplies, "Well, can I trace him?"
I look at him and we both just start laughing.
Trace him, like lay him on paper and trace the baby. What will he come up with next?!
He walks through the kitchen and heads toward the back door.
"Where are you going now?"
"Can't I just put him on the swing and hold his hands on real tight and push him gentle?"
"Buddy, he's just to little for that. I think he'd rather just have you talk to him in here."
He pauses on his way back through as he looks toward the craft supplies, "Well, can I trace him?"
I look at him and we both just start laughing.
Trace him, like lay him on paper and trace the baby. What will he come up with next?!