This morning Lili went for her first round of vaccination shots. It’s been a long time coming since we had to switch doctors, deal with some healthy insurance nightmares, etc. You are also given packets of info about vaccinations you are encouraged to pour over – the possible side effects, etc. I was not aware of this being a first time parent but the subject of vaccinations is a heated topic among many parents. In fact recently at a party I was cornered by an extreme non-vaccinator Dad who challenged me if I’d feel comfortable giving my child monkey brains dipped in formaldehyde (or something like it) – would I, would I?
On the way home from the doctor Lili slept soundly and I said goodbye to the hubs and strolled Lili to the apartment of some friends in the neighborhood. The friends I was visiting are the parents to two adorable children. Watching parents of two children is like watching a magic show. Each time I see it I can’t help but ask myself in amazement – how do they do it?
When you are a parent of one kid you have to multi-task – aka – feed kid while checking email, etc. But from what I have witnessed from our many friends with two kids – having two brings it to a whole other level. With two kids it seems you are more or less getting the job done (feeding, changing, etc.) the baby while you are called on to stimulate/entertain the mind of the older child with conversation, etc. On top of this it seems you are also dealing with your relationship as a couple in addition to your general life multitasking – cleaning the house, paying bills, etc. On top of that – there is also your relationship with friends with or without kids. Holding up adult conversation, etc. And then if there is any time left over – you have a moment to yourself.
Parents with two kids have this down to a science. They don’t have time not to. To them it may seem like chaos but to me it always looks like they handle it with such ease. I wouldn’t be surprised if our various couple friends with two kids also tended to a greenhouse full of rare and delicate Orchids out back. Really. Why not?
On the walk home after my visit, I ran into my cousin. She asked to peek into the stroller and see Lili to which I proclaimed with pride – was sound asleep. When I lifted the hood of the stroller, guess what? She was asleep. But she was also smothered in her hat – as in her hat had covered her entire face – entire. No air holes.
Was she fine? Yes.
Will I be growing an Orchids any time soon?
No. No I will not.
I was never big into the idea of co-sleeping and that solidified when I woke up one day and Oliver was sleeping next to me UNDER the covers – like his little head was wet with sweat as I cooked the poor little guy. For a brief second I thought horrible thoughts.
um. what freaks me out is how coherent your thoughts and observations are. WHERE IS DEM POSTPARTUM FOGS? (for some reason my inner philly girl comes out in caps)
j.