the good that comes with the bad and the ugly truth (part one)

So, you take the good with the bad. Examples abound - today is part one. Infant massage. Infant massage is a practice that I think is cool but let's face it, the first year with a new baby is about survival. Basic neccessities of life are provided for and if there is any emotional energy left I take a few pictures. If anyone is getting a massage - it should be the mom, right? Of course right. Unless, of course, you go to the six-week doctors appointment with your first born son and they tell you he has torticolis. Torticolis. They should not tell first time moms that their kid has anything with a "colis" in it because they will freak out and say something uncharacteristically rude to the physical therapist like -"My son has torticolis and you want me to give him a massage?" But that is what I said and that is what she wanted me to do. Once a day. So, in true first- time -mom fashion I gave my new baby an infant massage, twice a day. Almond oil (in case he put his hands in his mouth), by the fire (so he wouldn't get too cold), Christmas carols (it was December). Then my second son came along and infant massage was the furthest thing from my mind. Diapers, nursing, dinner, preschool. Until, at the six-week doctors appointment, the doctor proclaimed those little dry patches to be eczema and prescribed an $80 a bottle steroid cream. $80. Steroids. Since I was a second time mom, I calmly thanked the doctor and then went to the grocery store and bought... almond oil. I wonder-- I thought. Fire place, primary songs, blue blanket. No more dry patches. When my daughter came along it was officially part of the "after bath" routine. Sunny window, pink blanket, primary songs. Now I am doing it again. Baby oil has replaced almond oil (she'll be fine), her bath towel has replaced any special blanket (I'm in a hurry) but I still sing and we still spend ten minutes together with the power of touch. I have years of memories that I cherish thanks to torticolis. I sort of love torticolis. I'll never forget the first time that I heard my very own baby laugh. I was massaging his neck. Like the idea? Click here for info and here for a how to chart.