The other day, when I took this photo, a couple of thoughts ran through my head. The first was: Oh my goodness, he’s so cute!
The second thought was “Are you serious? The kid is completely covered in gunk.”
Clearly I’ve got the Baby Fever bad.
The funny thing is, I used to find such messes abhorrent. It’s true. When I was a brand new Baby Momma (as opposed to, say, an Iguana Momma), I used to FREAK OUT at any kind of mess. Baby food messes; runny nose messes; stinky poo poo bottom messes…
It didn’t matter. It was all the same. It was gross and I didn’t like it.
You can imagine how this impacted my parenting. I was way uptight pretty much ALL THE TIME and poor Joe! The kid couldn’t even sit in the grass for fear that he might get bit or something. Eventually I learned to relax my standards and let him play outside without his protective bubble. What’s more, I learned to let the kids get messy.
I learned to let God let me let them. Does that make sense?
Because I don’t think I could have lightened up without grace.
Now I let Francis go to town on that gingersnap. And then–and then–I scoop him up! I dump him, clothes and all, in the bath (using Baby Magic Lavender Bath, naturally) and let him play happily, which is what he does best. We’re talking a couple of inches of warm sudsy water, which for him is like a spa or something. And then I slather on the baby lotion (again, it must be Baby Magic, but I use the pink stuff when it comes to the lotion) and when he’s done, he smells incredible.
I kiss his toes. I kiss his tummy. I kiss him right on the little lips. That’s something I never used to do either, and once again, I blame baby fever.
Do you blame me? I don’t think you do.
Love those little ones, my friend! Love ’em up and don’t sweat the mess.
There's so much I love here: adorable baby; chocolate; Baby Magic. It's sort of perfect.
Yes. Sort of perfect. Exactly that. ♥
I agree..he is adorable.
mess and all.
Last night, I crawled into bed very late and there was literally a pile of sand on my side of the bed. From a messy kid, I assume. Like you said it is all good.
And I can't see that pile of sand bothering you, Christine, because you are one of the most laid-back, fun-lovin' moms I know. Totally admire that in you!
Wonderful post! Enjoy every minute of it! Boy, I miss that Baby Magic smell….
You are welcome to come by and smell Francis if you like… = )
Since Simeon still has a small hole in the roof of his mouth, every time he eats anything, (ANYTHING) he slobbers it out his nose. SO, yeah, eating around here is a messy thing, it is totally normal for him to get a bath in the sink, because I like babies in the sink, and slathered (is that a word?) with lavender baby Aveeno. Best smell in the world.
Oh, that baby of yours…baby fever for sure….I just wrote about it and your pics are making me ache for it. (in a good way)
Your post was beautiful, Jamie; I could relate to every word of it, right down to the big ol' high chair cluttering up the kitchen! Lately ours has a little cloud of fruit flies around it because they like all that yummy squished banana…
I meant to say, "it is totally normal for him to get a bath (several times a day)…"
I really needed to read this today. My 2 1/2 year old is a messy monster, which does not bode well for this mamma who is nesting like crazy and wanting everything spotless (we're expecting a new little one any day). I can't make much progress with her messy antics, but you're right. I've got to let it go. Thank you for writing this, and Francis is so adorable.
So glad to hear it, KJL. Prayers for your upcoming labor & delivery. ♥
I don't know …I think I might just prefer eau de gingersnap! He is too cute!
Oh come on, Barbara. You know you want to kiss him full on the lips, gingersnap gunk and all.
I never turn down mushy gingersnaps!
He is a cutie pie. But I can't believe you avoided baby kisses for so long! 😉
I didn't avoid baby kisses, sweet Jennie–just didn't kiss them full on the lips!
Now I know, though, what I was missing.
Not to mention how very fast it goes.
That actually looks a little like our high chair, just the white plastic base, no more soft padding, that wore off years ago, this is much easier to clean off!
My four year old boy just ohhed and ahhed in my lap as we looked through this post. 🙂
I was a lot like you once, too. Not baby kisses and messes are a blessing! And God's grace made it so.