Deuces

The funny thing about being a parent to a newborn is that you can't help but rock... all the time. I have become so accustomed to swaying, bouncing and rocking my sweet Sayler that oftentimes, even when she is no longer in my arms or resting in a sling, I am swaying. Last week when our dear friend Jessica came to visit Jess took the little one in her arms and rocked.  As we gossiped and caught up on all things I couldn't help but notice that I was swaying from side to side, mimicking their motions... babyless. And yesterday as Lloyd and I stood in line at Babie's R' Us, Sayler sat in her carseat in the basket.  As Lloyd stood with boxes of diapers in his hands, he suddenly realized that he was cradling and rocking those Pampers like it was no one's business.  (And don't even get me started on how we have subconsciously started carrying our cats over our shoulders and patting their backsides.) The funny thing about being a parent to a newborn is that you can...

You have a wild spirit about you, little Sayler- this I already know. I should have known what we were up against from the moment we met at the hospital.  Like your mom, you have no patience.  When it came time for mama to push you into the world you came flying out within 20 minutes.  The doctors told mama she was a good pusher, but we all know it was you that pushed your way into that hospital room.  You came out with a fist in the air, held straight up beside your tiny head, superhero style... almost presidential. You can be so bossy. When I went into the recovery room after delivery on several occasions the nurses came in to our room to take Sayler away for testing.  They took the other baby too, the one that I have come to know as the Angel beside us. On that first night in the hospital I was tired, but proud and beaming.  I could overhear the conversations to my right between the nurses and the other mom who deli...

Will I ever get a chance to edit this poem?  Maybe.  I started having these thoughts recently and wanted to pen them... but it is an on-going poem-piece that I hope to finish when I have a little more time... you know... babies keep you busy ;) I want to keep you little, I want to see you grown, I want to see you crawl your way into a life that's all your own. I want to hear your giggles, I want to hug you tight, I want to embarass you in front of the man you someday call "Mr. Right". I want you wide awake, So I can witness all your charms and when I want some time off to myself, I miss you in my arms. And when you're sleeping soundly, I can stare at you all day, While in your ear, I quietly whisper the words I want to say. .... ( unfinished....)

I dropped a Wheat Thin on my baby's face the other morning. Or was it evening? Or afternoon? I was attempting to muster the strength to insert the Wheat Thin into my mouth. I was weary. Baby was half-awake. And hungry. I was half-asleep. And hungry. As I lazily reached into the box and moved the thin crispy wafer toward my mouth, there it went... it fell on my sweet baby's face as she was nursing. She didn't notice. And for a moment, in my sleepiness... I didn't quite comprehend, either. A few seconds later I blinked my tired eyes. I picked up the Wheat Thin and there we lie, Her and I, Eating while sleeping.

Staring. Lots of staring. Walking in circles to soothe you. Startled wake-ups in the night to check to make sure you are breathing. Helping Mommy. A LOT! ... Cooking meals, Cleaning house, Trips to Target and Babies R' Us with coupons and specific instructions in hand. Driving home from the hospital.... And to the prediatricians... Driving slooooooooowly with hands at 10 and 2. Diapering. And again. And again. Putting up with mommy's fits of snappiness.  Regretting saying things like "I'm exhausted" in front of mommy. Loving. Lots of loving. Patience. Kindness. Warmth. Rocking. Swaddling. Falling asleep with his sweet baby girl in his arms.