The Thermostat Leg

Some grandsons get their grandmother's smile. Others get their Naani's laugh, or her unusual toes, or her ability to bargain-hunt and find a treasure even in a sea of worthless tschotskes.

It remains to be seen what other qualities our boys get from their Naani, but Rohan has definitely inherited one already: the Thermostat Leg.

What is the Thermostat Leg, you ask? It's the bare leg that sticks out from any blanket or cover when they sleep - regardless of room temperature, health, time, or clothing - of both my mom's, and my son's. As a girl in the cold winter mornings of Maryland, I remember walking into my parents' room to find my mother snuggled under mountains of covers, completely hidden save the tip of her nose, and her Thermostat Leg. Mom (Naani) swore it was how she regulated body temperature under all those blankets.

Whatever the reason, the fact is her youngest grandson has inherited her Thermostat Leg! He will be completely covered and sleeping, and insist on kicking out a Thermostat Leg, just like Naani. It's not a big deal, except when my face is near where that leg emerges - it can be dangerous when he kicks.

This photo shows the leg in mid-kickout - he prefers being fully covered except that Thermostat Leg.

Like Grandma, like grandson!