And Then She Kissed Me!

Every new parent's heart must break a little bit when they find out that those sleepy little newborn grins are "just gas." Egos are quickly assuaged when the little bugger makes eye contact and gives those first big grins. Four months later, the kid has been smiling at strangers in the store, cats, and the ceiling. Ho-hum.

And then you get kissed! Suddenly you and your baby are wearing matching aprons and twirling arm in arm surrounded by wildflowers and green hills and snow-capped mountains and dancing unicorns!

Last month at a Christmas party, a friend's daughter was making kissy faces at Josie when she suddenly grabbed both of the girl's cheeks and planted a big ol' smooch on her nose. Mom caught on very quickly to the 12-year-old's techniques and has been soliciting pecks for a few weeks now.

But, this morning [cue dramatic orchestral crescendo] Annie was the proud recipient of an unsolicited kiss! Annie pulled Josie out of her crib and was about to pass her off to JP when Josie dug her needle-sharp claws into Annie's face and SMACK!

JP continues to be crestfallen each time Josie avoids his kisses, but she did say, "I love Da-Da!" last week. Besides, them whiskers tickle!

Now you non-parents might think a baby smooch looks like this:

About to pucker up?

But in reality, babies have no kissing skills. They are wet, open-mouthed, and expectant like those ewie seventh grade firsts. Unless the kisses are from your own baby. Then they are totally dancing unicorn awesome.

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