Things I will miss when the new baby comes.

[rivka]

The first of what is likely to be a continuing series:

1. "I'm going upstairs to take my shower. If you need me, come up to the bathroom."

2. "I love you, good night. I'll see you in the morning." (leaves the room without any fuss ensuing.)

3. "Your tummy hurts? Does it hurt like it's achy, or like you're going to throw up?" (receives clear, comprehensible answer.)

4. "Hey, let's go to the library. Here are your shoes and coat - put them on while I get our books together." (leaves the house less than ten minutes later.)

Okay, so only 1 and 4 are going to become totally impossible when the baby gets here. The other two will still conceivably happen with Alex. (Or, conceivably, not. I am expecting her bedtime to go to hell when there is a baby competing with her for attention.) But there are ways in which parenting an older child spoils you, and it's going to be hard to start at square one again.

Comments

[eeyorerin]

I would miss "only having to deal with one carseat at a time," having helped to wrangle my siblings in and out of theirs.

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

Perhaps it's because I had Eddie when Henry was still in a really, really difficult stage, but a newborn seemed like a breeze compared to a young toddler. They stay where you put them, they're not willful when they're crying, they're just not that heavy, it's tons easier to change a newborns diaper over a 13 month old's...

This time, you'll have confidence and experience on your side. That helps, a LOT.

[txobserver.livejournal.com]

Agreed! My older daughter was 2 1/2 when my younger came along, and would develop a dire need for something (pottying was a great favorite, since it was a new skill) every time I sat down to nurse the baby! Alex's extra year means she is more outward looking and growing more and more into a little girl wanting to play with friends, not cling to mom.

[castiron.livejournal.com]

Yep, that whole "I can leave kid alone for 15 minutes while I do something in the other room" -- I miss that.

(Though I found I got into baby-care routine a lot faster with #2 than with #1; while part of it is that #2 is more laid-back, overall dealing with #2 is a lot easier than I'd expected.)

[ratphooey.livejournal.com]

It will be hard. But there will be wonderful things, too. Like appreciating Alex all the more for her abilities and independence (this will come in handy when she's acting out due to sibling rivalry).