I have the happiest baby in the world. This morning I observed with satisfaction as my husband put Baby’s feet on his cheeks and nuzzled her tummy. She squealed and laughed, which caused me to ask, “How can we get a dozen more of these kind?”

Rebekah is nothing short of pure delight.

Now, instead of just basking in the moment, I have to hyper-analyze it. How did we get such a happy baby? Here are my theories:

Theory #1: She is still suffering “side effects.” Now I agree with all the Natural Childbirth hoop-la, but I’m just not cut out for it. After 20 hours of active labor, I give in to the Happy Drugs every time. Nevertheless, I have to put this theory to rest because my dose of the stuff barely lasted 20 minutes; I doubt it’s lasting seven months on her.

Theory #2: She has plenty of entertainment. Rebekah’s older brother and sisters are absolutely in love with her. Happy Cakes is often the source of many squabbles about who gets to play with her, hold her, tickle her, smile at her, and “baby sit” her. Now, I’m inclined to lean toward this theory until I consider the downside of this attention: Rebekah is –shall we say—a little bumped and manhandled. Yet, she takes it all in and just smiles. Ahh, it has to be something more…

Theory #3: Mama is happy. There it is. It’s hard to put into words what I’m describing, but something changed in me when we welcomed Baby #4. Instead of grumbling about the amount of work that it is my lot, I shifted my focus to our gracious God, who has seen fit to pour generously His blessing upon our family. And, you know, when Mama’s happy, well, everyone else is too.

But, alas, there’s one more thought–

Theory #4: God may have just made her that way.

From Psalm 139:

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

Yes, Lord, my soul is learning this well.