Now that Joseff was over two months old, he did not need attention from Anna and Kristoff as much as he did when he was a newborn. In fact, since the couple was able to talk to each other more than they used to, there were some arguments that occasionally took place between them, and almost all of them were about their son.
Anna was currently mad at Kristoff because earlier that day, he took Joseff outside in the cold without a hat to keep him warm, because now she feared that Joseff would get sick from being in the cold weather. But Kristoff argued that he just wanted to take Joseff down to the stables to see Sven, and they wouldn't be gone long, so Joseff didn't need a hat. Then Anna stated that Joseff being around Sven could still make him sick because it would be unsanitary if Sven licked him and he wasn't cleaned up afterwards.
Right now, they were in their room with Joseff, and he still was there for the time being because a room that was being made up to be his nursery was far from finished. Anna couldn't bear the thought of Joseff being in another room just yet, and Kristoff was getting a little bit annoyed at how clingy she was being with Joseff.
As they were arguing about the situation just now, Joseff started to fuss, particularly because of the sound of his parents fighting (even though they weren't shouting). Anna walked over to the crib and pulled Joseff out. While she did, she said, "Awww, don't cry, baby. Mommy's got you."
"You see? There you go again, Anna. You run over to him every time he makes the smallest amount of noise. He's gotta learn to stand on his own two feet. I did as a kid."
"That's because you were so much older then. Kristoff, Joseff is far too little to 'stand on his own.' I mean, he doesn't even know he has feet! Babies have to feel secure. When he gets older, his personality will be shaped by every decision we make."
"I know, and if you pamper and spoil him so much, he'll grow up to be a wuss and a mama's boy! I don't like hearing people talk baby talk to him, either."
"But honey, people do that to babies all the time! It's just natural; babies are cute, so people talk cute to them."
"Well, it sounds demeaning to me! Joseff may be cute, but he was born to be tough, strong, and an ice harvester, like me!"
"Excuse me, but as a member of the royal family, Joseff was born to be a gentlemanly prince!"
While Kristoff and Anna were having their argument, Elsa was standing outside the door and heard everything they were saying to each other. She shook her head, unable to comprehend how they could argue so much about one little baby. Being a part of the family, she felt she had to step in now and then, and now was a time when she had to do it.
Just as she opened the door and walked in, she announced in a loud voice, "All right, that's enough!"
Elsa's temper caused her to accidentally shoot some ice from her hands, which made Anna and Kristoff jump back, but luckily no one got hurt. Wanting to share her feelings, Elsa put her gloves on to be safe. Taking a deep breath, then exhaling, she tried to sound calmer as she continued, "Now I'm getting very tired of this nonsense about Joseff between the two of you. You have to realize that both of you have moments of being right as well as wrong. Remember that a relationship is based on learning to get along and compromising. You're going to have to be able to do that as parents, too, so I suggest you listen to what each other needs to say and come to an agreement without constant arguing."
Kristoff and Anna stood there in silence, pondering Elsa's words. They knew she was right, so they knew it wasn't a time to be unreasonable. While she kept thinking, Anna looked down at Joseff, who had been placed back into his crib, then picked him up. "Hey Kristoff? Elsa? Does Joseff look a little red to you?"
Both Elsa and Kristoff took a closer look. "Yes, he does," Elsa said. "Look, both his nose and cheeks are red."
Kristoff put his hand on Joseff's forehead. "He feels a little bit hot, too." Forgetting all he said from his argument with Anna, Kristoff began to panic a little. "Anna, what should we do? He's never been sick before."
"All right, let's not panic," Elsa stated. "I'll make some cold water to help cool him down."
"And I'll send for Dr. Bonnevie," Anna said. Gesturing to Kristoff, she asked, "Can you take him, honey?"
"Of course," Kristoff replied as he gently took Joseff from Anna. Once both Anna and Elsa had left the room, Kristoff looked down at his son and gently stroked his face. "I'm sorry, son. It's my fault you're sick; I should have kept you warmer like your mommy said to do. But you're gonna get through this; I promise." Then he positioned Joseff near his shoulder in order to give him the closest thing to a reassuring hug.
It didn't take long for Dr. Bonnevie to determine that Joseff became sick from being out in the cold. He said that even being in the cold for a few minutes for a baby Joseff's age made him very vulnerable. Hearing all of this just made Kristoff feel even more upset and caused him to think he had been a bad father.
"Joseff will be just fine," Dr. Bonnevie replied. "It's nothing serious at all, just a slight fever and a runny nose. As long as you keep him inside and cool to reduce his fever, he should be okay in a day or two."
"Are you sure? Is there anything more we can do for him?" Kristoff asked.
"Don't worry, Kristoff, your son will be fine. You have done everything right and there's nothing else to do."
"Well, thank you very much, Dr. Bonnevie," Anna said just as the doctor was about to exit the room.
"You're very welcome." He bowed to the royal family, then he went out the door.
Soon after he left, Kristoff approached Anna. "Anna, I'm sorry I didn't listen to you about putting a hat on Joseff. It's my fault he's sick. I guess it means I'm a bad father."
Anna just smiled sympathetically at her husband. "Oh, Kristoff, you are so many things, but you are not a bad father!"
Kristoff sighed, feeling defeated. "I guess it still goes to the fact that I wasn't around humans much as I grew up. Being a father has changed me, but I don't always know what is right or wrong for Joseff. I used to think nothing could ever hurt me, and I guess I thought that when I didn't put a hat on Joseff and believe he could get sick."
"Oh, Kristoff, everyone makes mistakes and has flaws, even parents. No one is perfect. And it's good that you admitted your mistake, because it shows that you're not someone who prefers to put his pride before other people. The way you love and care for Joseff shows just how great a father you have been and still will be as he grows up."
"Well, I'm also sorry about our argument, too. I thought you were just being too clingy to Joseff."
"Honey, I know I can be a little crazy sometimes, but it's better for us to share our problems with each other rather than keep them inside of us or hide them by just getting into ridiculous fights. So the next time something is bugging you, will you please tell me? But in a way that won't hurt my feelings?"
"You got it. And you know, Elsa was right. We should do a better job of really listening to each other when we have ideas about Joseff, and taking the best of them and compromise."
"That's definitely a good plan. After all, we make a great team." She and Kristoff smiled at each other before they shared a tender kiss.
Elsa, who had been cuddling Joseff in her arms, listened to the entire conversation and smiled when she watched her sister and brother-in-law kiss. "It's with moments like these that I feel so lucky to have all of you as my family."
Anna pulled Elsa in for a hug. "Don't forget, Elsa, you're as much a part of our team, too. You're a great aunt."
Elsa smiled widely. "Thank you, Anna."
Just then, Joseff gurgled, as if he was trying to say something. Kristoff sniffed the air around them, then said, "Well, I think I smell a little teamwork coming on right now."
All three adults walked over to Joseff's changing table. As Elsa gently laid him down, she said, "Okay, young man. Time for a diaper change."
After he was placed down, Anna gently removed the diaper. Once it was off, it made all three briefly turn away and react with disgust.
"Whoa-ho!" Kristoff exclaimed.
"Oh, my!" Elsa cried.
"Whoa, baby!" Anna exclaimed, fanning herself with her hand.
But once they back in focus, they all changed Joseff, then put him down in his bed to let him get a good night's rest.
