the art of waking up.

Seeing how baby Anderzander is awake and asleep eighteen million times a day and night (mommy is counting), I figure he is the top authority on the art of waking up

Step 1.  Locate a sleeping infant.  They are hard to hear, they don't always snore.
They may be hard to smell, they don't like to sleep dirty (who does?)
They may be hard to touch, someone else usually is holding and guarding them.
Then may be hard to see, they wear lots of very cute outfits, most of the time thanks to their extended family, and they quite frequently are incognito with their little ears on their hoods.

Step 2.  Applying the elements.
Once you have found yourself a sleeping infant, carefully (most people can't help cooing or singing while completing step 2)
Unzip the camouflage to reveal the utter preciousness underneath.  This may result in a bit of squirming, don't be alarmed, this is a good thing.


 
Step 3. The peeking of the eyes.

This may take place accompanied with a raising of the arms.  Frequently after the arms are up, the baby's eyes close the arms relax, the patient deciding he or she would rather go back to sleep in this new environment rather then wake up and see it's potential.

Step 4. Negotiation.

Opening the warm outfit a wee bit further, humming and calling his name a few times, especially if you, the perpetrator, is extremely happy (it's impossible to be otherwise) creates what we call the negotiation effect, the eyes open up, the arms again stretch high above his head.

Step 5. The offering.
This is when you want to coo and cheer your happiest, assuring the baby that his decision to join the waking world is the right one.  This is the right time to take his arms out of the coat, along with his legs, which he will reward you by stretching and raising his balled fists in your general direction.  Be warned, smiles could be your undoing at this point.

Step 6. I'm reviewing the situation.
This is a delightful time of baby understanding his limits.
Mouth-check
Face-check
Eyes, nose yup.
Arms work, swing swing swing.
I am who I am.
Am I hungry (now's the time he'll figure this out)
Am I dirty (oh he'll let you know)
Am I still sleepy (watch for the crinkle of the nose)
Am I wanting to get out of this outfit? (watch for the raising of the feet.)

Step 7: Up and away.
This is the step you get to engage full body with the infant of your choice.  Any of those questions will involve you either in helping him find the food of choice, changing a bumb, apologizing for waking him up (which you will do with rocking and singing for about 10 minutes or so, bouncing up and down may be required) and at the very least, hanging up his outdoor things for next time.

All of these options are postitive.
All are rewarded with his smiles or coos.

All eventually lead to...

Baby on the loose, happy and
alert, seeing the world.
Seeing his world of big brothers
of big dogs
of big rooms,
of big mommy's and daddy's

of big big kisses and hugs.


Much much love

Minamin







For additional notes and information: write to
benjamin loback
the room next door
in mommy and daddy's house
beside mommy's truck with big tires.

For notes on getting baby's to sleep, don't ask mommy.  she has no idea.