Heather’s friend, Tara, recently gave birth to a baby girl, and Annie has found the whole thing endlessly fascinating. She loves to see photos of “Baby Cait,” constantly talks about when Heather took her to meet Cait, and even imitates Cait’s cry. A big reason Annie is so enthralled, I think, is because she knows that Heather is going to also have a baby before long. I’ve found Annie’s interest in Baby Cait pretty adorable, that is, until this last weekend when Annie got it in her mind she was going to play “Tara and Baby Cait,” and absolutely wouldn’t take no for an answer.

I don’t mean to brag, but when it comes to playing “pretend” I’m pretty much the Daniel Day Lewis of our house. I’ve played a lot of roles: prince, monster, puppy, patient (just to name a few) and received high marks from Annie for every portrayal. This weekend, though, was my most difficult role yet. My “Lincoln,” if you will.

“Dada,“ Annie asked all of a sudden Saturday morning. “Wanna play Tara and Baby Cait with me?”

“Uh, how does that work?”

“You’re Tara, and I’m baby Cait!”

“Uhhhh…”

“Okay, Dada? Okay?”

“Ummm…”

“Wah!” Annie cried, busting out her best Baby Cait impression. “Wah!”

I sighed, then decided to go with it. I scooped Annie into my arms.

“There, there, Baby Cait. There there.”

Annie loved this, and wanted to play over and over and over. Eventually, things got a little weird. That’s right. I may have even swaddled “Baby Cait” in a giant blanket.

playing "baby"
The proud mother and her new baby!

playing "baby"
Coochie, coochie, coo!

“Okay, Baby Cait,” I finally told Annie. “Daddy is done playing.”

And then things got even weirder.

“Wait!” Annie said. “Now you play Baby Cait, and I will play Tara!”

“Uh, what?”

“You play Baby Cait!”

I suppose I could have turned down the role, but I thought to myself, “What would Daniel Day Lewis do?”

playing baby
Method acting.

playing baby
Goo goo, gah gah.

Annie was so cute playing “Tara.” She kept petting my head and saying, “I love you, baby.”

loves her "baby"

I’m pretty sure Heather thinks I’ve lost my mind, but she hasn’t said anything on account of the fact my playing “Tara and Baby Cait” with Annie means she doesn’t have too.

In all seriousness, though, Annie’s interest in Baby Cait is wonderful to see. And the best part? If all goes well she will soon be able to play baby with her very own real baby brother.