From 1 to 2

Today I took the kiddos to L's gymnastics class.  Another mother asked me a question that is definitely the most frequently asked question I've gotten since having G, "How'd L do with the transition?"  The women who ask this are always moms of one and I, myself, remember asking this very question to other women.  The answer is something I can't truly explain.  It's just something you learn as you experience it.

Before I had baby G, I stressed out about how on earth I'd go anywhere with 2 kids by myself.  It seemed utterly impossible.  I stressed about which car seat should go in which chair.  Baby behind me or behind the passenger chair?  I told myself, I'll get L out last because I don't want her running out into a busy parking lot.  I'll buckle her in first for the same reason.  How will I carry both?  She hates holding hands in a parking lot and I don't want to drag her.  It was something I thought about daily.  Not surprisingly, everything worked itself out quite nicely and it wasn't worth all the worry.

But, what I fretted over most was how L would adjust to not being my only.  Would she harbor resentment towards me?  Towards the baby?  I felt guilty for doing this to her.  She didn't ask for a sibling.  Were we being selfish for wanting to add to our already perfect little family?

The answer to all of this shocked me.  It seems to shock every person who asks about it, too.  How did L do with the transition, the changes, the upheaval?  Just fine.  She's done absolutely fine!

What I think most moms, myself included, imagine when we think of having another baby is having our time cut in half.  But, that's not how it works at all.  Here's the thing about newborns I seem to have forgotten...they sleep A LOT.

I worried I would be so busy with the baby 24/7 that I would have no time for special moments with L.  Luckily, that's not how our Maker designed it to be.

Today on the way home from gymnastics we parked by the pond and ate our lunch while watching the ducks.  Lola crawled into the front seat and we just talked and enjoyed our time.  Baby G enjoyed his nap.  We were there for maybe 20 minutes before coming home, but those 20 minutes were a great way to slow down and reconnect with my daughter in the hustle and bustle of a busy day.

Baby G is starting to spend more and more time awake and alert, but it's gradual and we all get to adjust to it slowly.  He's a happy, go lucky little boy and loves to spend time in a wrap snuggled up close with me or my husband while we go on about our day chasing our busy little girl.

Saying Yes is not something I had to give up when we added to our family.  It's not as easy, but it's still possible.  The thing about saying Yes is that it's not something you can always do immediately.  Sometimes, the baby needs to be changed or be fed before I can say Yes to L.  That doesn't make it not as special of a moment, but it gives L a moment to learn patience and learning patience builds character.

Being a mom of two is such a blessing.  Being a sibling, is a blessing just as big.  My time is not cut in half, but my fun is definitely multiplied.

 The lazy ducks begging for a meal.

Oh wait, not everyone travels with a tiny potty in their van?