Round 2

amanda — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:22:13 +0200

We are going to be parents again (for those of you who don't already know)! I'm already in my 21st week and don't know how the last 5 months have flown by without me writing about this exciting news. Actually, I do know - I spent the first trimester feeling very nauseous as morning sickness stretched out over the whole day and I pretty much lay in one spot on the couch feeling tired and grumpy. Then one day, as if late for another appointment, the morning sickness packed its bags and sped out of town and I leapt up from my spot with renewed energy and all kinds of wonderful cravings.

Since then we have moved into our new house and have felt quite settled for a while even though we've only been here for a month and a half. It has 2 bedrooms, so is smaller than our last place, but the living areas are so much nicer (and the bathrooms are infinitely better!). The ceilings in the bedrooms are a lot taller so the rooms feel more spacious. And the cupboard space! I'm in heaven.

We are also unfolding back into our routines and rhythms of daily life after a long period of visitors and holidays and family and Christmas and all the busyness this time of year usually brings. Its been wonderful to have spent time with so many friends and family in the last months. Needless to say, Finley has been thoroughly spoilt on all sides, relishing all the love and attention coming his way.

And now for the first time, really, since I peed on that fateful stick, I'm able to be still for long enough to start mindfully focusing on this new life we're about to welcome into our family.

Its a different kind of excitement this time round, something familiar and new at the same time. I've felt a bit guilty that this baby isn't getting nearly as much attention in utero as Finley did, but I guess to some extent, that's the fate of the second child. Life with a 2 year old is so full of energy, whether its physical, mental or emotional, here are a few examples...

"More daddy, throw me up high!" says the 14kg boy after the 30th throw.

"Watch mama. Look at Inney" as he jumps off the couch, twisting his body in midair only to land with squeals of delight on the weary but ever-faithful beanbag.

I never thought that watching your child climb up the stairs of the highest slide in the park all by himself would make me want to cry big fat proud tears of joy (maybe its all those pregnancy hormones). His confidence has also grown alongside his strength and dexterity and I see it playing out as he encourages George and baba (his dolls) to try new things.

In the last four months his sentences have grown into paragraphs and we're often still amused by the running commentary that takes place in the Whijo house. Lately he's started incorporating words like 'also', 'only', 'just', 'maybe' and 'nevermind' into his communication. To the untrained ear it might not sound like much, since his pronunciation and his unique accent can get in the way, but to this mama it still amazes me everyday. His use of language is quickly moving from the black and white subject-verb-object to all the colours of the rainbow. And watching his understanding of the world around him develop and the relationships that exist therein, is really inspiring. It's making me see beauty in the simplest of things and is teaching me so much about being present so we can enjoy these discoveries together.

The stereotypical tantrums and meltdowns have also arrived and although we are all learning how to deal with them and work through them in our own ways, it still takes a lot of emotional energy.

Finley is so in love with this baby already and even though I'm preparing for the possibility that things might not stay that way when the reality of a screaming, wriggly little baby moves into our house, its quite hard to imagine him changing from the caring and affectionate big brother he's turning into it. He talks to my belly and shows the baby (belly) things he's doing and playing with. Not to mention all the hugs and kisses and squeezes he showers on him/her that are starting to become uncomfortable, but that I don't want to discourage at the same time.

Our days are full and at the best of times I find it hard to imagine where and how this new little person will fit into our lives, but I guess all families wonder the same thing with subsequent additions. All I know is that there's plenty of love floating about and everything else will fall in place around that. On the other hand, if anyone has some practical tips and advice on life with a toddler and newborn, I'd be happy to hear it!