How does a parent entice or motivate a child to do something . . . anything. We are having to try some creative parenting sometimes to get the results we want, but tonight we lucked into one.

Our day was lovely and we postponed dinner to play at the park and take a walk together. Everyone was hungry and dinner seemed to be lingering. Julia was munching on goldfish after downing her pasta and Emily was eating her applesauce slowly. I suggested that Robby should go and start the bath water running for the girls.

Emily asked with much exuberance if she could take her bath first. Her animation was hilarious. I told her that she couldn’t get a bath until her applesauce was finished. She put her spoon to work and finished it right off. Julia was also listening. She had been signing ‘please’ after each goldfish so that she could get another. After the bath announcement she started, also with great exuberance, signing ‘all done’ followed with the sign for ‘bath’. Who knew dinner could be finished so quickly?

Now, two little sweet smelling girls are tucked in their beds sleeping soundly.

Tonight was Julia’s last bath in the baby bath. I know we have waited a long time, but it was just easier to get her clean and she wasn’t interested in playing. Her interest in playing in the tub has taken off so she will join Emily in the big girl tub. I decided to commemorate her last baby bath with photos. Her favorite game was to drop all of the toys out of the baby bath and then look for them and put them back in the tub. She discovered that she could spin around, flip herself over, and wiggle away from Mommy. Soapy babies are fun to hold onto!

(8 months) Julia is hanging out after a bath. Both of my girls love their baths and the towel cuddles that follow. She was really enjoying laying on the changing table in her blanket and looking out the window.

Julia is getting long and is starting to fill up the changing table. There isn’t anything too special about the activities of this day, but it is fun to capture glimpses into the routine of our life.

Julia had her first bath! Julia didn’t mind her bath too much and never made a peep. We gave her a sink bath in a warm bathroom with two parents and steady hands. We were not real confident when we gave Emily her first bath which probably influenced how much she enjoyed her bath. Julia didn’t mind when we flipped her over or washed her head. Hopefully every bath will be so easy!

(13 months) Emily is playing in her new big girl tub. We introduced her tub to her in the living room the night before and she just climbed in and out for an hour. She was excited to see it the next morning for her bath. She has never minded having a bath, but she does enjoy the extra space.

I took Emily back to the doctor for her check-up with the doctor. She had gained almost one pound and had grown 1/4 of an inch in the month. He was pleased with her progress and doesn’t have to return until her 15 month checkup. You can tell that she is heavier because her tummy is pouched out and she has grown dimples again. I guess those will last until she stretches them out again.