Page 41 (1/2)

Beth returned with a clean washrag and handed it to Saood sport you are about this"

"Doesn’t look like I hadthe wet cloth over his face and beard "I have to say I had no idea dinnertireed as she wiped Matthew’s hands and face "Do you think we should give him a bath?"

"Don’t think we have much choice I’ll run the bath water while you keep hih spirits and ran his hands over his tray, s the food that re a masterpiece

Sam went into the bathroom, ran the bathwater, and returned in tih chair and Matthew The kid’s hair stuck straight up with a reen peas and peaches When he saw Sam, he lifted his arms, ready to be set free of the contraption that held hiht in to help," Beth told hie him into his pajaht"

"Sounds good" Saain needed Beth’s help getting him undressed Who knew a kid this little would have h Sa as much water on hi in the water and took delight slapping his hands and splashing water in every which direction More than once Sam had to reach for a towel to dry his eyes

While he washed the baby, Beth got out Matthew’s pajamas It took both of theainst his hip while Beth heated his bottle She was about to take hi bad

"Do you smell what I smell?" he asked Beth

She sniffed near Matthew’s butt and then raised her eyes to his and nodded "Poop"

Holding Mattheay from him, Sam handed her the kid "He’s all yours"

"Sam!"

"I draw the line at poopy diapers, Beth Said so earlier"

"Okay, okay, but I’ed it, but it wasn’t pretty Sam kept his head twisted ahile Beth cleaned the baby "Rocco should have supplied a gas hed "Oh coood spirits As soon as Beth settled down in the rocker with his bottle, the baby reached for it with both hands She gently rocked hi across froht have been nervous about this, but she was a natural with the baby He’d enjoyed holding Matthew, but it was alhen either Nichole or Rocco was around This was the first tirateful Beth was there to back him up

Matthew closed his eyes and was soon asleep He finished the bottle and Beth gently removed it from his mouth, placed him over her shoulder, and burped hi him"

Sah the pages until he found instructions for getting the baby to bed "It says here seven-thirty is his regular bedtime" Sam twisted his wrist in order to look at his watch "Seven-twenty-five We’re right on schedule"

"Okay, I’ll hold him another five minutes and then we can put hiently lifted Matthew out of her arms and noiselessly walked into the baby’s roo down on hi to be sure he was fast asleep Tiptoeing out of the rooently closed the door and then collapsed onto the sofa

"I’ainst Sa care of a baby could be so de?"

Sam shook his head "To think Rocco and Nichole do this every day, and froain soon"