What does baby love?

The other day some form or another asked: “what is your baby’s personality?”. Sarah and I looked at each other, a bit bemused. Does Omri have one yet? How can you tell the difference between something real and just “generic baby”?

We talked it out, and here’s our list (as of a few months ago). As you can see, it’s a pretty big list. I guess he’s got a unique personality after all!

The first things we came up with:

• Cheerful.
• Calm around new people.
• Loves being the center of attention; he even enjoys going to the doctor because at the office, it’s all about HIM
• Passionate about objects — in both directions. He will flip from YES to no on the turn of a dime.
• Strongly believes that he should be held; strongly believes that people should hang out with him.
• Petulant and strong willed about food and sleep. These are the two exceptions to his general chill pattern of behavior.
• Curious about the world, especially objects.
• Loves holding things, especially things that are “sticks” — long and graspable.
• Does not believe in moving much. Would rather be sedentary and held.
• Delights in games. And anything can be a game. If you approach any sort of thing (wiping his face, cleaning him, bopping him on the head, whatever) as if you’re playing together, he’s willing and ready to believe it and be excited to join in.
• Smiles easily.
• Doesn’t cry unless there’s a reason. The reason is often: “I don’t want to go to sleep. I feel comfortable here, don’t leave the room. I want to play with you, I don’t want to sit on the floor.”
• Moderately indifferent to temperature.
• Does NOT want to lie on his stomach. will flip over immediately.
• Fascinated by electronics. Yes, fisher-price objects, but also anything with a screen
• Wants to smash his fingers on keyboards especially.
• Loves mirrors, as well as video chats (since he can see himself)

On some more reflection:

• Has been known to try to feed others, especially his parents. (Adorable.)
• When crying and hungry, sometimes too angry to actually eat.
• Tries to make eye contact with everyone.
• New things (and beloved things) go Straight To The Mouth™
• Desires things that adults pay attention to — phones, airpods, keyboards. If there’s a toy with a motor, he wants to figure out the parts that move. Will grab them, examine them, etc. That’s more important than playing with the e.g. duck the way he’s supposed to.
• Does not dislike bathtime.
• Our special songs will make him sleepy on cue.
• Wants to turn the pages of books — often wants to turn the book straight to the beginning or end. Hard to focus and go through it calmly
• Will eat paper. Beware.
• Mouth turns into a letterbox right before crying

These seem to be especially true of him specifically, or generally interesting

• Demands to drink water from a glass or cup
• Will flick water by pulling back on his straw and letting go
  • (Then gets sad and surprised when he splashed himself with it)
• Fascinated by water in general. The dishwasher is his television
• Will smash his legs up and down when sleepy. 
• Breakdances in the crib.
• Glasses, mugs, cups — he both wants to drink from them and generally hold them
• Smart enough to rip clothes, towels, etc off his head. Has object permanence
• Flaps his arms up and down when excited. Including in the sleep sack.
• Rubs his spoon (favorite toy) on his head a lot.
• Will respond happily if you talk to him in baby language. Especially if you use some of his signature phrases: Gagagagaga, thbbbt, adadada, aga, ha ha ha.
• Will laugh if you say Ha Ha Ha in the right way.

Back to generic baby things?

• Wants to put his fingers in everyone’s mouth
• Whacks his spoon into bottles when drinking milk
• Enjoys breast milk more than formula. A real connoisseur
• Fascinated by posters. wants to rip them off the wall
• Will bang whatever object in his hands (spoon, lotion bottle, rattle, whatever) against the wall and get excited about the noise it makes
• Generally uses his index finger to poke and examine things
• Shocked and sad when sneezing productively
• Does not like tissues, would rather wipe his hands with his nose 
• Generally dislikes lying down. Would much rather change while sitting than lying down.
• Enjoys when other people roll him around, usually