AdventureDad

I've spending some time this summer playing professional tennis in Germany and some of my teammates have kids.  Babies that wouldn't dream of complaining about anything.  My friends often catch me staring at the little ones  and wonder what's wrong.  That's when I confess my jealousy, grab a calm baby, and walk around with a drooling infant on my shoulder.  

It's amazing how big of a difference a calm baby makes.  No nagging, no sleep issues, no complaining, get along with everyone, and love to lay down and just observe everything from a distance.  Those things decide whether a parent is going crazy and can' imagine another baby or love every moment and can't wait to get a pregnant again.  

The tennis club in my German town  is a busy meeting spot for practice but also for events such as watching the current European Championships in soccer.  After some drinks I'm often drawn to one of my friends and her baby.  He's just incredibly nice. While the others are pounding drinks at the bar I grab Len and walk around with him on my shoulder or in my arms for an hour. People know I'm an involved father who enjoy kids but they still find it curious that I voluntarily take care of other peoples children.

My now 4-year old son was quite calm but my daughter has been a handful to put it mildly.  As a baby she never laid down in her carriage more than 10 seconds without complaining.  She didn't want to be carried, didn't enjoy snuggling, and was restless and cranky from day one.  She was healthy, except for some colic and acid reflux, but always liked to show off her will.

I think a parent shouldn't complain too much about a healthy child, no matter how difficult.  There are many with serious problems who face far greater challenges.  I complain a little bit but I also know we're lucky to have two healthy kids. I love to see the contrast in babies.  Carrying around a calm and peaceful baby might just be my way of experiencing a little piece of quiet and relaxation with an infant.  Something that certainly never happened with my daughter.

So I admit it, I'm jealous of all those calm, quiet, and patient babies. The ones who stare at the  trees for an hour with curious eyes.  The ones who sit harnessed in the carriage, completely at ease,  while daddy is talking to a friend. And the babies who find it completely natural falling asleep in anyones arms.  

My daughter Annika is coming around.  Believe it or not, she's a little calmer at 22 months although she seems to wear out almost anyone except her parents who are used to her madness.  If life was fair, she would grow up and become the most trouble free little girl in the world.  I'm still hoping for that but I realize it's probably a dream. I'm at least hoping she will say "No!" as often to teenage boys as she does to Daddy when she grows up.  Is that really too much to ask for?