Empowering

"Just wait until you have two!"

If you have a child, then someone probably has uttered those very words to you. If they haven't, it will only be a matter of time. I think it is a security statement for some. As if they are all mighty and powerful and know everything about raising kids because they have two kids and you only have one. Or maybe it is the "I've got one up on you," feeling. Whatever the case, that statement drives me bonkers.

People forget the challenges of each age because they are dealing with a new challenge that they think is harder. Typically something they've never dealt with before so, yes, it probably is harder because they've never dealt with it.

But, the above statement made me simply cringe at the thought of having another child, especially while I was pregnant, because I thought it would be crazy hard and unmanageable.

I remember feeling anxious before Annabelle was born too. "I cannot do this. I can barely keep myself fed much less another mouth," I would think. But then she arrived, and personally I didn't think it was as hard as everyone made it out to be.

Then she turned two and things got a bit more challenging. And I got a bit more anxious. I think my anxiety worsened when I started potty training Annabelle (the second time) when she was 2.5 years old. I was a nervous wreck the first day I left the house with her to run errands and go grocery shopping without a diaper.

And then I got pregnant. And I'm not going to lie. I was very overwhelmed at the thought of a second child. "I cannot do this," I thought yet again. "I cannot get one child out the door at a decent time, much less two. How am I going to bathe two kids at night?"

But, Sophia was born and almost three months later, we are all adjusting well. And, honestly, being a mother to two is quite empowering. I never knew I had it in me. Granted, Sophia hasn't hit the terrible twos yet, but I think I'll be a bit more relaxed the second time around. My struggle will probably always be with Annabelle because everything she does is new to me. It is just a different age and a different challenge.

We accomplished a lot today, and yet again, I felt empowered. I took both girls with me to get my hair cut and Annabelle's hair cut. They both behaved awesomely!

Just as we walked into the hair salon, I got a call from my OBGYN that I had just called 30-45 minutes earlier. I suspect yet another case of mastitis, so I called them to see if they needed to see me or if they could call in another round of antibiotics. Naturally, as I'm talking to the nurse at the OBGYN, Sophia starts crying because she's hungry and Annabelle knocked a box of the 64 crayons all over the floor. And, then, the hair dresser was ready for us. I kept my calm though.

I nursed Sophia while Annabelle got her hair cut. After Sophia nursed, the hairdresser asked one of the other girls to wash my hair. Off Sophia and I went. Sophia laid on my chest while the girl washed my hair. I just wish I had a picture of her! She was so very curious, and she lifted her head up higher than I have ever seen because she wanted to see what was going on. It was absolutely precious! I love that sweet girl!

Sophia then started to get a little fussy because she was sleepy. So, I swaddled her right then and there and patted her bottom until she fell asleep. They were laughing at me swaddling her, but it worked! Annabelle was a very sweet girl while I got my hair cut too. She was such a big girl and got her hair washed at the salon for the very first time, and she even got to sit under the big hair dryer to get her hair dried. She is going to cost me bundles in a few years! Well, she already does, but I suspect it is only going to get worse.





Everyone commented on Sophia's beautiful highlights. One of the hairdressers actually said, "Those highlights are a hairdressers dream!" Even a hairdresser cannot give someone highlights as beautiful as Sophia's highlights.

After our haircuts, we were off to the dentist office for my 6 month cleaning. When I left, I had called my parents and asked if they'd watch the girls while I had my teeth cleaned. But, Annabelle left her "big girl" behind in the bathroom at the hair salon, so we had to turn around to get it. That took another 15 minutes, and we were already running short on time. Thankfully I was smart enough to pack a lunch for Annabelle and me.

So, we headed straight for the dentist's office. Sophia had to eat yet again when we arrived. Fortunately, we were 20 minutes early, so there was plenty of time to get her fed.

The hygienist told me there was a lady who worked in the office that loved to babysit if I didn't mind if she watched Sophia. She offered the lady's services after I asked if she thought Sophia would be alright just laying on my chest. I immediately took her up on it!

Annabelle behaved herself very well. It is amazing how powerless you feel with your mouth wide open, unable to talk and discipline. But Annabelle acted accordingly. I'd love to pride myself on that one and state that it has everything to do with my mothering skills, but to be honest, I think I'm just lucky! Annabelle has pretty much always cooperated when we aren't at home. Unless of course it is just one of those days. I'm surprised she didn't pick today as "one of those days."

The dental hygienist and dentist both looked at and counted Annabelle's teeth. She warmed up to the dental hygienist very well. She is a little skeptical of the dentist though. The dentist did mention that it appeared she was going to need braces one day. Of course, that comes as no big surprise to me since hubby wore braces, and they would have served me well too.




So I accomplished a lot today and I feel that much more empowered! With the mastitis causing flu-like symptoms (throbbing headache, achiness and exhaustion), I was able to take two kids to the hair salon and dentist, totaling 4 hours from start to finish (11:45 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.). That was quite an accomplishment for me!

For those of you that only have one child, please ignore anyone who ever says, "just wait until you have two." Just take one day and each challenge a step at a time.