Stinky

This is when I admit some truth.

Theodore hasn't had many baths.

He had plenty of sponge baths.

Naked wipe downs with a wash cloth.

A good layer of lotion applied head-to-toe.

But real baths...

very,very rarely.

I am not exaggerating...

I really mean rarely.

As in...

you-can-count-it-on-my-fingers-leaving-out-my-thumbs rarely.

I also have no photos of his first bath.

Not a single one.

or of his second, third, or fourth.

Theodore hated the water.

He screamed like someone was setting him on fire.

He even cried when he was close to the bathroom and the water was on.

It would take both Michael and I to do a Theodore bath.

One to hold his failing, arching, hysterical body.

The other soaping and rinsing as fast as they could.

Then, like magic one day...

we didn't have any tears.

He had a complete bath in the sink and he even almost smiled.

He is eight months old...

But he is no longer our stinky boy.