March 12th, 2003 - Wednesday

B is for Bath

Throughout March, I'm participating in Alphabytes, one entry for each letter of the alphabet.

Bath time isn't really something that I've ever really been into in any hardcore kind of way. I hear and read about people who have a bath on a regular basis in order to relax. I was more of a shower person because I can relax even more with hot water beating down on my head. Plus, I would usually find myself feeling pretty useless and lethargic after a bath which isn't always a good thing.

However, I could always appreciate a good bath. It has to be really hot, stupidly hot to the point where I'm looking like a lobster by the time I emerge. I also liked to bring in a magazine and a glass of red wine or a cold beverage. On occasion I would turn off the lights and light a few candles around the tub.

When I was pregnant, I started taking baths pretty regularly. As the achiness of being pregnant became more pronounced, I found that soaking in a warm tub was always a relief. I couldn't put the temperature of the water as hot as I wanted but warm was good enough. Then, when the humidity of the summer set in, a cool bath was an alternative to a swimming pool. It got to the point where I could only have a bath if George was home because I needed help getting back out but it was something that I looked forward to. Eventually it was so commonplace for me to get into the tub, that any time I told George that my legs or back hurt he would reply with, "take a bath!" And usually I would.

Once Hayley arrived, bath time disappeared. Hell, bathing in general sort of disappeared. Those first weeks, I was lucky to shower more than twice a week. Eventually I settled back into a semblance of normal life and I was able to shower daily again but finding time for a full blown bath was impossible.

Hayley didn't like baths very much as a newborn. At that stage in her life, a bath was nothing more than being wiped with wet cloths over a tiny basin and she hated it so much that we didn't do it very often just to avoid upsetting her. She would scream and wail until she turned purple and I felt very badly for her.

Once her umbilical cord fell off and she was allowed to have a "real bath" it wasn't so bad anymore. We gave her the first real bath in the kitchen sink, but it wasn't very easy. At my height (or lack thereof!) I found it awkward. The next time, I used the infant tub and it was a whole new experience. She watched me and looked around, and though she didn't love it, she seemed calm and content.

As time has gone by, she has come to love them. She smiles and she laughs. She learned that by slapping her hands she could splash the water about and she loved it even more. I generally require a minute or two to swing the mop around the floor after bath time because she splashes so much and it's so much fun.

Then came a pivotal moment - I decided to bring her in the tub with me. It had been months and months since I had been in the tub. I filled it halfway with warm water and some baby bubble bath, then I hopped in. George got her ready and brought her in to me. As soon as I had her in the water she went nuts - she suddenly had room to move her feet, and boy did they move. She thrashed and kicked and all but hollered in glee. That was by far the most fun bath I've ever had in my entire life.

Since that day, I try to have at least one bath a week with her, more if it's possible. We call them "big girl baths". I only do it when George is home so he can hand her to me and then take her out when we're done.

The best part is that once he takes her out and goes off to dress her in her pajamas, he closes the door and I'm alone in the tub. I fill the tub the rest of the way up - usually with just hot water. The new water causes the bath wash to bubble up again and I get to spend a few minutes just relaxing and lying in the hot water. I don't usually stay in for too long because sometimes she gets really hungry shortly afterwards, but five minutes is still heaven.

Funny how something I never cared that much about is so important now. I love sitting in there with her while she kicks and splashes and wriggles and plays with her rubber ducks.

Bath time is about so much more than just hygiene. It's about bonding, it's about playing, and it's about five minutes of alone relaxation time.

Even though she's "cut" by the mirror, I love the expression on her face.