In the wise words of Love Actually: “To me, you are perfect.”
Can I say, so far, I’m enjoying the whole newborn-in-May way more than newborn-in-October-during-Hurricane-Sandy routine. Better for moral! And cluster feeding at night is easier when the nights are shorter. (I have a feeling I’ll be singing a different tune status-post week 4 of life. And this is not to say that I haven’t had many personal meltdowns, mitigated by a kind husband, patient friends, and ridiculously generous neighbors.)
Unfortunately, in John’s line of work, one doesn’t really get paternity leave, and I might have picked the worst time to deliver, as most of his colleagues were at a huge conference in Texas at the time. So, just like last time, he was back to work 48 hours after the birth of our child. And I, completely panicked, tried to figure out how to manage this weekend, keeping Ari happy and Evie alive (big sister just wants to crawl into the rock-n-play with “Eee-vah,” as she calls her), all the while still moving slowly and occasionally dribbling breast milk in my wake. I am so appreciative of the friends who’ve dropped by, brought chocolate and other goodies, watched my daughters as I brushed my teeth, and read books to my eldest as I fed the younger.
Early Sunday morning, John got home from an overnight shift just as Ari was waking. Evie had fallen asleep after dinner #11 (she is, in fact, a barracuda), so he gave me an extra 30 minutes to snooze while he started Ari’s morning routine. He then retreated up to bed. Normally I have until 8:15 am before Ari starts beating down the door, urging on the next adventure. Unkempt, with teeth a little fuzzy, I strapped Ari into her stroller, and tried to finagle this sillily long wrap thing-y I had once attempted and failed when Ari was a newborn. I’m sure it could have been more masterfully and efficiently executed, but the wrap seemed secure enough, and Evie slid right in. With both girls in tow, a few diapers, wipes, sippy cup, and wallet stashed in the crevices of the stroller, I made it down our porch front steps without my pelvis prolapsing and felt a huge sense of accomplishment. (Seriously, hats off to all the parents who make this parenting thing look easy, or at least routine…I am constantly a “hot” mess [those hormone fluctuations are no joke!], and I’ve already had some of my med school friends tell me that I’m an excellent form of birth control.) I barely made it 8 steps when my lovely neighbor waved from across the street…at which point I took my opportunity to hijack her entire morning. “Oh! What beautiful weather! We were just going for a walk. Please, join us. JOIN US!”
All I can say is thank goodness Evie makes cute little squeaks, smells good, and sleeps well in arms that know how to hold babies. I think that was what convinced this sweet unassuming neighbor that a walk-turn-into-coffee-and-pastry-run-to-keep-the-hubs-asleep-and-the-toddler-entertained, which might have last 3+ hours, was exactly how she wanted to spend her morning.
anna in med school 
SO much love to y’all! Can’t wait to see you in a couple weeks and meet Eee-vah! 🙂
Love right back to you!! Thank you, my love! We cannot wait to see you!!
those cheeks!!! I’m dying from the cuteness. Love to you!
haha! the eyes she gets from john, the chubby cheeks from me 🙂 love to you!
I have followed your blog since your NYT piece and am thrilled for you all on Evie’s arrival. You can do it! Going from one to two is so hard, and you are in the hardest part of it. It will get so much better (as I know you already know). You’re doing a great job. Hang in there!
Hi Lisa! Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement–I’m so flattered that you’ve been following here 🙂 I’m a little worried that the next couple months are going to get harder before easier…but maybe I just got lucky with Evie and she’ll be a little more low-key than Ari was? I need to make sure I don’t wish the time away, as I already feel like she’s changed so much! Truly, thank you for your kindness!
Wonderful pictures. Wonderful baby. And because of my special position, I can say that to me, you both are wonderful babies.
When I think of what you are going through, and that John needs to work overtime, I think of your mother’s experience with both of your brothers. In both cases, three-four days after the baby was born, I was deployed to Europe for several months, leaving her in Norfolk alone to cope. She was a stranger in a new country, in a new city, in a new language, with absolutely no friends. She did not even know what supplies to buy, nor did she have much money to buy them. She never told me much about those months, other than that she had much more fun when she had you and your sister.
Both babies are beautiful! Congrats! You are absolutely amazing. I hope you have the summer off to spend with the girls.