Serenity of the Gods

It is possible to put baby down for a nap with too little forward motion, so that by the time she is about to touch the crib (or bed, as the case may be) she begins articulating her limbs in the universal signal for “don’t put me down.” It is also possible to put baby down for a nap with too much forward motion, so that the movement from shoulder to crib is too abrupt and the universal signal for “pick me up now” gets flashed in the form of baby rising to her knees (or some such). The perfect, Zen putting down of baby for a nap requires at least a temporary death of the ego on the part of whoever is putting her in the crib. Total commitment to the action. Then, and only then, will she sleep, and then, and only then, can daddy taste the serenity of the gods, however briefly.

Healthy in Every Way

At baby’s one-year check-up she was determined to weigh 19 pounds, one ounce; to measure 29.5 inches; and to have a head measuring 18.75 inches in circumference. To this last, the nurse doing the measuring said, “Wow!” The doctor, once he had examined her, said she was normal in her development, healthy in every way. It is amazing what good news that is. We celebrated with fine Mexican food at our favorite downtown Austin hang-out. Baby then took one of her longest naps in a while and has been wide-eyed and happy ever since. We’re hoping she’ll be sleepy by, say, midnight. But does it matter?