A little loco

There's no doubt that having your first child makes you feel a little crazy. The lack of sleep. The immense change to your life; and change to your lifestyle that results in less style and more life. Sometimes, the craziness is expressed in public. Except suddenly, because of the little baby by your side, you don't look crazy. You just look like a person with a baby. Because everyone knows that people with babies are excused from "normal" behavior.

Take, for example, a recent remark by Brian. We were leaving the mall, and he commented that he was feeling more comfortable and less self-conscious talking to Henry in public. Brian continued to say that talking to a baby is great, because it's like talking to yourself, except no one thinks anything of it..."Look at this pretty skirt! Don't you like it Henry? You think momma should buy it? Even though it's not on sale? Really, it's that pretty? Okay, you're right, I'll buy it." Internal monologue instantly made a public dialogue.

Which leads to a second characteristic of parental baby-talk...Suddenly, one is no longer a "me" or an "I," but a "mom" or "momma." Referring to oneself in the third person seems an important component of speaking to a baby. Again, this would be another odd, attention garnering mannerism if present in someone not talking to a baby. But once you have a baby, it's par for the course.

Talking to babies also becomes an easy vehicle for triangulated conversations. One might want to ask one's husband, for example, to wash the dishes. One could, hypothetically, say aloud to the baby "Oh, Henry, we have so many dirty dishes in the sink. Maybe daddy will do them later?" Clearly, Henry doesn't care if daddy does the dishes, but mommy does. A dangerous habit, especially for those already prone to passive-aggressive behavior.

And then there are the other nonverbal behaviors that are only considered socially appropriate with a babe in arms. Like at the movies. Henry and I went to see "Mama Mia" today at the parents' program at our local theater. I loved the movie. So did Henry, because he got to be danced around the theater by me to keep him occupied while I watched. Normally, I would not get up and sway around, no matter how toe-tapping the movie, but at this movie all the mommas and babies were up out of their seats moving to the music. Maybe we should all bring babies to see musicals like "Mama Mia." It was a lot more fun that way. I guess for me, the craziness is often liberating and enjoyable.

Here's a short video of the crazy baby in the family.