We all have our talents. Some of us are good at mathematics, others are better at sports. Frankly, it’s what makes the world an interesting place and keeps things competitive.

And August, like other 11-week-old youngsters has his talents too. He is very good at greedily drinking milk. He has good focus and can pay attention to small things. He can also cry with the best of them, producing a shriek so shrill it burrows deep into mummy’s ear canals and propels her out of bed with a single leap. (I’d say that denotes a good ability to read and manipulate people.)

But there are some things our perfect boy is not so good at. Namely, tummy time.

I know, I know, you’re thinking all parents complain about tummy time because all babies protest it.

But August doesn’t.

On the contrary, he slips merrily into tummy time and willingly lays on his stomach for required 10 minutes. I used to think this was just another expression of August’s good humor. Now I realize it’s less about how obliging he is and more about the fact that he’s not doing anything at all. He just lays there and licks the sheets. It’s an exercise in sheer laziness.

Yesterday the pediatrician asked about his tummy time flipping him stomach-down. And as usual he just lay there and licked the paper. Brilliant, August.

“He doesn’t, you know, raise his head or prop himself up on his arms or elbows?” she asked.

Nope.

Wow, our son sure is clever to trick him mum into thinking he was doing it right. See, top of the class again!

Tags: Exercise