Stilettos & Diapers

by Molly Wey

Baby #2· Motherhood

10 ways I’m a different Mommy to #2.

1. I looked back from my comfy spot on the couch to see #2 chewing on a flip flop. With #1 I would have literally squirted the antibacterial INTO HIS MOUTH, but with #2, I finished my text, then went to pick him up. I know full well that a little shoe germ never hurt anyone. 

2. We’ve locked our doors and hung out in the neighbors back yard with the monitor while both kids were sleeping. I would have reported myself for child abuse had I done this for #1. 

3. I was munching on a club cracker. 7 month old #2 pulls my arm in and takes a bite. Instead of doing the finger-mouth-swipe I did with #1, I let him enjoy it. Then gave him the rest of the cracker. 

4. I’ve noticed #2 seems really happy watching Mickey Mouse Club House with #1. Instead of changing it to Baby Einstein and setting the timer for 7 1/4 minutes, I let him watch. The whole episode. 

5. The middle of the night wake ups and sleep deprivation from #2 doesn’t bother me much. I know now that the time flies so very quickly, so I’m enjoying the middle of the night snuggles. 

6. Schedule. What schedule? It just happens when it happens. 

7. I realized Gerber really knows what they’re doing with baby food and while I enjoy making it, its so totally fine to give the jar stuff every now and then. Or all the time. 

8. #2 sleeps well in his carseat. So there he sleeps. I’m not even googling to see if this is acceptable. 

9. Our first date night after #1 was when he was over 1 year old. With #2, it was just over 1 month. And he survived. 

10. Give them the passie. ASAP. Babies are born with a comfort that comes from sucking. My nipples are not. The end. Your kid will not go to school with a passie. #1 is proof of that. 

Moral of the story? Stop looking to see if you’re doing it “right” and relax. Enjoy this thing called motherhood from the beginning and don’t take it all so seriously. Seriously.   

Comments

  2. This is SO perfect. My god, its so true too. My youngest (9 months) chews on any flip flop he sees. His dad freaks out. I SLOWLY walk to take it away from him. He gets so much joy out of it ha.

    And tv? I would have never imagined letting a child under the age of 1 watch it before…. but my 4 year old watches Mickey and my 9 month old has been smiling at and laughing at it since he was 3 months, so guess what gets him to sleep at naptime now. Yep… Mickey Mouse.

  5. Too too funny!!! AND so very true!! Although I only have 1 and he's 21 now I can relate to everything because I was a single mom and well…sometimes you just gotta go with the flow. I have another one for you,
    #11 Just let them sleep with you or wherever they like to sleep. I promise they won't be 21 and still want to sleep with you, Proof my son!!! :0)

    P.s. I think he was finally about 5 when he got sick of my bed so enjoy the snuggles while you can!!

  6. This is SO true!! Thank you for posting 🙂 I'm on #3 (last) and instead of wondering if I'm doing it "right", I'm learning to just relax and ENJOY!! Who cares what every one else thinks 🙂

  8. Could have not said it any better 🙂 I have 3 and I am even more laxed with the 3rd than I ever was with my 2nd. With that being said, I think I was a total FREAK with my 1st…..

  11. I love these! I cannot believe my baby is 10 months old.. I am so much more relaxed now that when I look back on the first few months I want to scream, "RELAX AND ENJOY IT" at myself. Cannot wait for number 2 someday… I will enjoy every second of those teeny tiny snuggle days because they are gone too fast!

  12. Seriously! You have a good sence of humor about it all. My problem is judging my friends parenting when they don't do it "my way". AWFUL! 🙂 Working on it.

  13. Ahhhh LOVE THIS!!!! So funny because I was just thinking about giving Ben Cheerios this week, despite the fact that he just started solids 3 days ago. I talked myself out of it, but now, I'm going to try it because you know what? He will be fine!

    I ran into an old friend recently who just had her third baby. She seemed SOO relaxed, and I really admired that and wanted to be more like that (and less freaking neurotic). I'm getting there… Ben started chewing on a restaurant table yesterday, and I didn't have a need-xanax-attack, so I think that's a big improvement hahaha.

    Thanks for helping me relax a little bit.

  17. LOVE this. Crazy how being a mom (especially to boys) can make you go so quickly from a germaphobe to being completely ok with a little dirt in the mouth.

  18. Well said, Molly! After having two little girly girls, I can hardly wait to see what this little boy will bring to the mix! Thanks for sharing your wit and wisdom. Have a great day! Melissa

  20. I was just saying the other day how with #1I'd write down every bottle she ate, every poop, etc. Ina log. This time I have not one clue how much my 8 week old eats because he breast feeds regularly and is pooping and growing so I know he must be fine.
    The only thing is my son WILL NOT take a pacifier! And my nipples are not made for all day soothing either 🙁

  23. HAHA so I guess I shouldn't be worried that I'm this way with my 1st child. Some of my friends had kids around the same time as I did and they make me laugh. My daughter will drop her passie on the floor and I'll pick it up wipe it off on my shirt and give it back to her. My friends look at me in horror and tell me they always completely clean their childs when they do this. Funny though how my daughter is rarely sick and most of theirs always are. Just saying…

  24. I LOVE this! I don't have little ones, but I can see how you would learn so much between the 1st and 2nd.

    Have a great day!