(no subject)
Mostly for the preggo ladies and mamas who have more than one (or plan to have more than one) on my list, but also a very sweet poem:
Loving Two~
I walk along holding your 2-year-old hand,
basking in the glow of our magical relationship.
Suddenly I feel a kick from within,
as if to remind me that our time alone is limited.
And I wonder: how could I ever love another child as I love you?
Then he is born,
and I watch you.
I watch the pain you feel at having to share me
as you've never shared me before.
I hear you telling me in your own way,
"Please love only me."
And I hear myself telling you in mine,
"I can't," knowing, in fact, that I never can again.
You cry. I cry with you.
I almost see our new baby as an intruder
on the precious relationship we once shared.
A relationship we can never quite have again.
But then, barely noticing,
I find myself attached to that new being,
and feeling almost guilty.
I'm afraid to let you see me enjoying him--as though I am betraying you.
But then I notice your resentment change,
first to curiosity,
then to protectiveness,
finally to genuine affection.
More days pass,
and we are settling into a new routine.
The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast.
But something else is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just we
two.
There are new times---only now, we are three.
I watch the love between you grow,
the way you look at each other, touch each other.
I watch how he adores you--as I have for so long.
I see how excited you are by each of his new accomplishments.
And I begin to realize that I haven't taken something from you,
I've given something to you.
I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of
you.
I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are,
but equally strong.
And my question is finally answered, to my amazement.
Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you--only differently.
And although I realize that you may have to share my time,
I now know you'll never share my love.
There's enough of that for both of you---you each have your own supply.
I love you---both. And I thank you both for blessing my life.
While I did feel really anxious about having another child and what that would mean for my relationship with Dylan, I haven't felt too guilty since Molly was born, Dylan has shown so much love for her since he first met her almost a week ago. I know it's just the beginning, and the novelty will wear off--it won't always be this easy, but I'm really glad that he isn't resentful yet.
The first day we were home, Molly was nursing and Dylan asked for booboo. I let him have booboo. He put his mouth over my nipple for about 3 seconds, looked at her and then rolled his eyes up to look into my eyes...then he said, "all done!" and gave me a BIG kiss and hug. I think he was testing me and I think I passed. <33
Loving Two~
I walk along holding your 2-year-old hand,
basking in the glow of our magical relationship.
Suddenly I feel a kick from within,
as if to remind me that our time alone is limited.
And I wonder: how could I ever love another child as I love you?
Then he is born,
and I watch you.
I watch the pain you feel at having to share me
as you've never shared me before.
I hear you telling me in your own way,
"Please love only me."
And I hear myself telling you in mine,
"I can't," knowing, in fact, that I never can again.
You cry. I cry with you.
I almost see our new baby as an intruder
on the precious relationship we once shared.
A relationship we can never quite have again.
But then, barely noticing,
I find myself attached to that new being,
and feeling almost guilty.
I'm afraid to let you see me enjoying him--as though I am betraying you.
But then I notice your resentment change,
first to curiosity,
then to protectiveness,
finally to genuine affection.
More days pass,
and we are settling into a new routine.
The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast.
But something else is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just we
two.
There are new times---only now, we are three.
I watch the love between you grow,
the way you look at each other, touch each other.
I watch how he adores you--as I have for so long.
I see how excited you are by each of his new accomplishments.
And I begin to realize that I haven't taken something from you,
I've given something to you.
I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of
you.
I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are,
but equally strong.
And my question is finally answered, to my amazement.
Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you--only differently.
And although I realize that you may have to share my time,
I now know you'll never share my love.
There's enough of that for both of you---you each have your own supply.
I love you---both. And I thank you both for blessing my life.
While I did feel really anxious about having another child and what that would mean for my relationship with Dylan, I haven't felt too guilty since Molly was born, Dylan has shown so much love for her since he first met her almost a week ago. I know it's just the beginning, and the novelty will wear off--it won't always be this easy, but I'm really glad that he isn't resentful yet.
The first day we were home, Molly was nursing and Dylan asked for booboo. I let him have booboo. He put his mouth over my nipple for about 3 seconds, looked at her and then rolled his eyes up to look into my eyes...then he said, "all done!" and gave me a BIG kiss and hug. I think he was testing me and I think I passed. <33