It's true. Your second really is (mostly) easier. And wayyyy less stressful. I don't think I took Finley anywhere by myself (other than to my parents' so I could grocery shop, and the car ride nearly finished me off) for months.
But last week I had a craving for Indian food, and Finley needed new shoes. So I took Ford to the baby consignment store and then to Kadhai for some truly delectable korma. And fine, a glass of sauvignon blanc.
And here's how I know #2 being different is not just a figment of the notoriously trauma-blocking imagination: the first time I spilled spicy food on Finley's delicate skin, I frantically dabbed it up with special organic aloe-soaked wipes and googled "does spicy food irritate baby skin?"
On the other hand, I dropped a heaping spoonful of super spicy piro aloo directly onto Ford's head, and- no shit- cleaned it up with with my tank top. Dipped in the aforementioned sauvignon blanc.
There are more than a few similarities, though. First and most awfully, they are both cluster feeders. So my evenings are again reduced to a couch-bound hostage situation, binge watching bad TV and counting the days until my self-imposed no-bottle sanction is lifted.
But also, there are the magician hands. Finley wiggled out of her swaddle and slept like this too. It cracks us up.
With two weeks down, we're still grasping for a routine but it feels like we're getting closer to some semblance of normalcy. That said, our babywearing junkie insists on being carried whenever Ford is, so my "get back in shape" plan involves less gym time and more packmule outings than I had planned on. (Thank you,
Tula, from the bottom of my heart.)
Seth is
thisclose to being done with school, and takes over Finley-hauling duties when possible on weekends. Finley kicks him and yells "up! up!" when they climb stairs. It's one of the funniest things I've ever witnessed.
On Tuesday, we carved out time to celebrate cinco de mayo
and Finley's 18 month mark! Crazy how time flies. (She really loves tacos.)
Annddddd although mornings invariably involve the heartwrenching scene of Finley sobbing when she realizes Mom can't do whatever it is she wants because she's feeding the baby (it may be postnatal hormones, but I generally cry too), moments like this give me hope. Rare, but golden.
This weekend was Mother's Day, and although these two scored in the "sleeping in" lottery,
Finley and I did have cupcakes for breakfast.
And had a blast inspecting my present, the Dyson dustbuster I've been coveting. It may not sound romantic, but it. is. amazing.
Seth got takeout brunch and made mimosas (
so much better than wrangling kids in a crowded restaurant) and sent me for a massage too, which was a little tricky to schedule between feedings but incredible. And we went for a family hike- my very favorite thing- although we failed at multiple selfie attempts.
And Finley eventually demanded Mom time too. (
This link should work now.)
It was a perfect celebration of our family, and I am grateful to my busy grad student and my beautiful kid (s!!!) (as well as the magical power of mimosas) for making it a lovely day.
Photos of the week include our big girl on her tricycle
and playing with her water table from Aunt Leslye while wearing hand-me-down sunglasses from Grace,
Dad-and-Ford time after a long day,
and my Mom with Finley, on their way to the zoo on their last visit.
And Seth's Mom napping with a brand new baby Ford.
My heart is full, dark circles under my eyes notwithstanding. We are lucky indeed.
Love and Happy Mother's Day.
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