First Rule of Baby

Do you know the First Rule of Baby?

It is:  A baby will ONLY sleep for a glorious, extra-long, refreshing nap when its mother is DESPERATE to leave the house on time for an appointment.  The chance of this long sleep occurring increases exponentially directly related to the 'me time' nature of the appointment - e.g. a long sleep is far more likely to occur when mumma is planning to catch up with a friend or have a manicure.

A baby will NEVER sleep for more than the usual minimum when its mumma is exhausted and just wants to curl up with a book and a cup of tea.  As soon as the baby hears the kettle boil or a book page turn, it will wake immediately.

The Second Rule of Baby is:

No matter how agonisingly clingy and grizzly the baby has been during the day (involving going to the toilet while holding baby, making and eating lunch with baby under one arm, and sitting on the floor while poor baby gouges mumma's eyes just to keep it happy) - as SOON as Dada walks in the door, baby is a bundle of radiant sunshine!  Laughing, clapping, batting eyelashes, and perfectly content to sit by herself and play with blocks on the floor.

The Third Rule of Baby is:

No matter what baby does (biting mumma's cheek, pulling hair for hours, refusing to nap, vomiting all over mumma for no apparent reason), the mumma always, always, always COMPLETELY adores baby.  Only a lovesick mumma can smile adoringly at rabid baby while it tries to climb up her hair.  Thankfully, this Third Rule of Baby overrides all the other Rules.

Awwww look at those pudgy arms!  I want to nibble them!

Behold the delight of baby Tabitha learning about the feeling of grass between her toes - kept her giggling with joy for a good ten minutes...