One Year Olds We Love, Part 1

Given the population explosion that happened in my circle about this time last year - with four darling children born in the month of May - I'm thinking this will be a series.

But we'll start with their senior partner ... Baby Shane. Only the most smiley, charming, handsome baby boy you'll ever meet.

He's always laughing, except lately, when he's yelling for Mom - his number one most awesome and favorite person ever in the world EVER - for better or worse. I'm quite certain many of my readership can relate to that mix of being overwhelmed by their need ... and by the amazing feeling of one little person loving you so much.

What I love about Shane: He likes cuddling and rocking and passes out as he's having his nighttime baba. A true mom's baby. I love cuddlers and don't have one right now. Rachel's kinda hands off at night night time. Sometime I just want to rent Shane out about 7 p.m. when he's sleepy.

What I also love: even though I haven't spent as much one on one time with him as I did with Bridget - the curse of the Seconds - he gives the best greeting and wiggles around and will come to me almost every time.

So endearing and more a sign of what I bet will be a lifelong sunny personality than any special love for me. Even though, I certainly have a very special love for him ... our second little man of the gang ... and as Matthew's Grama would say, a VERY handsome devil.

Happy birthday, Baby Shane. I agree with your mom that you WILL still be Baby Shane when you're 24.

Growing Pains, Take Two

I'm pulling out all of Rachel's old newborn and 0 to 3 month clothes to give to a friend's new baby. My BFF's little brother just had a new baby girl.

Her momma just had her at midnight last night. I'm not usually so on top of favors like this - everything's bagged up and sorted by size in the front room. But it's just that I have SO many tiny perfect and barely worn little things. Outfits and p.j.'s that only a brand new baby can fit, I want to hand them over right away.

New Mom and Dad will probably think I'm nuts when I try to stalk them down IN the hospital to hand them over. After all, this is a "friend of a friend" type relationship.

But I know what they don't: that Baby Gap newborn clothes are a gift from above for tiny (she's 6 lb 5 oz just like my Matthew was) little babies. And that she will look more precious than they could have ever dreamed in the teeny little pink polka dotted onesie and pants, a hot pink romper, or an angel soft pink striped sweet pea gown.

And that she may only fit them for about 2 or 3 weeks before they find themselves fruitlessly stuffing her into them, hoping she'll still fit, but then sadly realizing she's already graduated into the 0 to 3's. That's when they'll realize that even though she's still tiny, and right there with them, she's already growing up and away.

Yes, I know this is mushy with a capital M but ... who of you parents HASN'T felt that pang of sadness when the clothes don't fit. When they want to hold their own bottle. When they crawl away for the first time. Even though I know better, I look at Rachel all the time and think: Stop. Slow down, baby. Just stay the way you are a little longer.

With Matthew, I couldn't wait for him to do new things and prove to me he was healthy and track. But I was also sad to leave the last stage. What I didn't realize for a long time is that cliche is true: the best age really is whatever age your kids are at right now ... and that it really does just keep getting better.

So with Rachel, I'm much more aware of what fun lies ahead. That only as she grows up do I truly get to know and love her fully. But it's still confusing because since she might be my last experience with a baby, I want her to slow it down. And, she's my baby girl. (I don't know why, but that makes me want her stay tiny even more. Can it really be as simple as the tiny dresses and shoes???)

Also with Rachel, I find myself hurrying her in some ways (she plays independently a lot on the floor) but holding her back in others (starting her on rice cereal later than my son). Mainly I am just hyper aware that every day, for better or worse, she's one step further away from being that brand new person I met five months ago. That literal bundle of joy I couldn't believe I was finally holding after 10 long months.

And one step closer to being that sturdy, funny, lovable but oh so mobile and independant toddler that is my second child.

So in honor of new baby girls - and growing babies everywhere - here's how far my own little lady has come:

At two days old, getting her first photos. See how little she was next to daddy's finger? Aug. 29, 2008

Later that day, going for her first car ride home, to see her house for the first time ... you get the idea.

Fast forward four and a half months ... eating rice cereal for the first time. Jan. 17, 2009

Rachel, in less than half a year you've learned to hold your head up and get up on your elbows. Coo then smile then laugh then scream with joy. Roll over (at least once!) Notice when your bottle's coming. Sleep during the night and play by yourself with your toys (at least for a little while!) during the day.

You're our sweet precious girl and I know Randy and Melissa's new baby will bring the same joy to them. Congratulations, Smith family!

Let Me Tell You Something about Playdates

They are apparently equally fun, but tiring, for all involved. I realize this is probably not a newsflash, but see, this playdate thing is new to me. It's not something I get to do much when I'm working since its limited to weekends and well, everyone including us is usually busy.

So now that Rachel's semi predictable - and Matthew's getting bored stiff watching me feed her and hold her all day - I'm organizing a few before I go back to work. Today I hosted a couple of Mike's former coworkers (and now my friends) and their kiddos for a playdate.

Officially, I think this is the first one at our house, since getting together with BFFs Amelia and Bridget doesn't quite count (they're family :).

I prepared mac and cheese in advance. I pumped a bottle so I could feed Rachel comfortably. I wiped down the sink with Clorox Multi Purpose. I showered before Mike left for work. I MADE THE BED. In short, I tried to prepare. Still, once the crews arrived, I found it hard to keep up with three toddlers and two babies, no matter how cute and good they were (and they were...2 year old boy Brooks and his 5 1/2 month old sister Charlotte, and a 1 1/2 year old Kyla, were all adorable and so sweet).

But holding two adult conversations, with moms you know but don't know REAL well so you kinda can't just let it all hang out, conversation wise ... and feeding the moms ... and three squirmy toddlers ... and walking around doing this while feeding your baby ... and throw in a couple jumpy, stinky dogs that can't decide if they want in or out ... and I don't know if I said one thing that made sense the whole afternoon. Anyone else get that? It's like I'm functioning, and talking but totally distracted and not really sure what I'm saying. A state I fall into frequently since Miss Rachel's arrival, admittedly.

It WAS fun trading "Oh, he does that TOO!" and the resulting frazzled mommy stories. And seeing how cute baby Rachel will look in a few months since baby Charlotte has dark hair just like my girl.

And from this angelic picture, you wouldn't guess there was a moment of chaos.

From 10-15-2008

Watching them sitting perfectly in their chairs and using chubby toddler hands to hold their little forks, just eating away together like grownups, was priceless. Almost like everyone was medicated, er, I mean, on their best behavior for the other kids.

I got five more weeks to be a SAHM. Any other takers????