Oddly Serene

I can't tell whether it's just easier the second time around, or whether it's mostly due to not having all the additional worries and issues that surrounded the Bean from practically Day One, but we are handling life in a pretty chill fashion around here. We did have one mild jaundice worry with Peabo, but the good news is that after a doctor's visit yesterday (at which our extremely cool pediatrician gave me some tactics to "keep her ass out of the hospital"---direct quote), her bilirubin levels are decreasing, she's nursing quite well, and the, ah, elimination is what it should be. All is well in babyland.
Big sister Bean remains a delight, not to mention seemingly ENORMOUS in comparison...and this is my child that everyone thinks is "so small" for her age. She has caught up quite a bit, admittedly, but it's still such a funny contrast.
The one thing I'm having a hard time with is remembering to feed myself, as I spend most of my day trying to make sure everyone else has fuel going in and gas coming out; fortunately Gene did a big snacky cakes run on Sunday, so there IS food if I manage to clue in that it's there.

Truly though, the most amazing thing is watching Peabo, well, watch us. And the dogs. And the lights. I know it sounds a bit disingenuous, but because the Bean was essentially blind from birth (as far as we can tell), neither of us are used to a kid staring intently at our faces, or moving her eyes around to start figuring out this world. It's a profoundly novel experience, and I have to say, in many ways, like a B12 shot for us, thus assisting with the inevitable fatigue and frazzlement. It's not that we love the Bean any less...quite the opposite. It's just such a relief to know that we can continue to devote the attention to Bean and her progress that she needs, and relax a little on Peabo and her development. We're not going to ignore her by any means---we just should be able to let things unfold as they do, and in fact, expect that they should develop pretty much as they are supposed to.

Hence, serenity.

Serene sounds good -- you remind me of how much harder this could be! I'm glad you're having such a good experience.

For me, you captured so well the feelings of round 2 situation normal after a less-than-typical round 1. Thanks and love to you!