Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Center of attention


For a couple of weeks this summer, all our entertainment revolved around one 13-pound bundle of life, our six-month-old grandbaby. It wasn't necessary to go to movies or play games or watch TV or read books. We only sat and watched and photographed her expressions, her reactions, her frustrations, her celebrations.

This is a good way to spend an evening.

Babies are different from older people because they haven't yet learned what we need to teach them. They haven't yet learned that you're not supposed to cry when you get hungry, you're not supposed to get fussy when you're tired and you're not supposed to pull away from someone you don't yet like.

Everything they are thinking and feeling shows on their face and in their actions.

And it's entertainment at best, education at even better.

You know if she likes you, or if she hasn't decided yet.

You know what she thinks of green beans.
You know when she's curious. And you know when she's unsure of what to think.

She'll learn to keep a straight face when served a food she doesn't like. She'll learn to keep her frustrations in check and her smiles polite. But until then, she sure is fun to watch.

No comments: