Baby-soft

We've all seen those moisturizer ads that promise "baby-soft" skin.

I used to think, "What does that even mean?" It sounds nice. Babies "look" soft and smooth and pretty and I want soft, smooth, pretty skin so X product must be produce desirable results.

Then I HAD a baby and that phrase just simply is not enough to explain the incredible wonder of an infant.

"Baby-soft" is...
 silk
 roses
 pearls
 goose down pillows
all packaged into a snuggly, cuddly warm bundle of flannel-wrapped wonder.

And the scent! I would scoff at mothers who would rhapsodize about the "new-baby" smell but now I know- it's AMAZING! It's like cozy flannel, lavender and a hot cup of tea on a chilly autumn day. It's like freshly mowed grass and lemonade on a sweltering summer day.

It starts with the top of a newborn's head and travels slowly down over time to nestle in that vulnerable spot on the back of their necks. I think it starts at the top because how many nights have we cradled our tiny newborns on our chests in the dead of night, with their little heads tucked under our chins, that scent wafting up and just instilling this calm and sense of peace to get us through yet another sleepless night?

Lately I've noticed that baby-scent is fading from my almost-4 year old. It's still there, but fainter and I know he's well past the baby and toddler stages now. It makes me a bit sad to realize that but then I cuddle Baby Kat and treasure those moments even more.

Except that moment tonight when we were playing on the floor and she plunked her bottom down heavily on my cheek and almost broke my glasses. That was not so precious.