james on...

...smiles.

When considering smiling at your family, take caution.  Smiles are something that your family will wait for anxiously, and you don't want to give them up too soon.  They are your first bargaining chip.  Your family will stand on their heads to get you to smile, so enjoy the show.

In the beginning, just pull up on a corner of your mouth a little.  See the reaction you get.  Just trust me on this one.  It'll be worth it, but be prepared for this box to be in your face that goes click-click and sometimes blinds you with a quick bright light.  The big people have some need to put this box in your face constantly and smiles are a big trigger.

Another personal favorite of mine is the fake out smile.  First, act like you're asleep, but be careful not to actually fall asleep, or it won't work.  Then smile at them.  Do the half smile and then a full open mouth smile.  Your family will call this "gas", which is just insulting, but we know the truth.  It will get them more excited and more anxious for some awake smiles from you.

Eventually, you will have to start giving up some smiles.  It's part of the baby contract.  Ease the big people into it.  Just smile here and there, and be sure you stop before they have a chance to grab the click-click box thing. Or do it in the middle of the night when it's too dark.  That will get them frustrated, but also they'll dance for you trying to get you to do it again.  Fun times.

Pick someone to receive the first full blown smiles.  This might be an aunt, grandparent, the family cat.  Just be sure it's not the mama or daddy.  You have to make them work the hardest.

Then one day, when the daddy is out of town for 10 days, and the mama is really, really tired from handling all the night feedings on her own, wake up and give her a show.  A real marathon of smiles.  She will reward you with lots of that high pitched mumbo-jumbo we all hate to admit we love.  She'll caress your face and she'll give you the biggest reward of all; some huge smiles of her own and if you've done your  job right, some tears too.  Unfortunately, you'll get the click-click box again, but it's worth it: