I forgot...and I didn't know...

The early days with Deven went by so fast, that there are many things I forgot and - naturally, now that we have 2, that I didn't know then.

Some things that I forgot:

- How cute newborn facial expressions are. Toddlers are adorable, but they can control their facial expressions, and match them to how they're really feeling. Newborns...well, check out the photos.


- That newborns don't know how to nurse the minute they come out. And if they have short tongues - like Rohan - that can lead to real pain for mom (ouch! You get the idea...)

- That meconium is gross, sticky, and really hard to get off at 3am. The only thing that seems to help is olive oil, and being patient because it goes away in a couple of days. Lukcily it doesn't stink...too much.


- How soft newborn skin is. Toddler skin is still waaay softer than mine - but newborn skin is like an indescribable satin.

- That newborns need to be burped after nursing, pretty much every time. I couldn't figure out why Rohan was fussy after a good nurse in the first couple of days - then in moving him, he let a big belch and quieted down. Aaah, right...



And some things I didn't know:

- Some newborns make noise. Cute little coos, sighs, and breathing-sounds - and this is perfectly normal. Rohan is one of these little ones. We haven't uploaded it yet, but when he came out he was making so many sounds, I thought something was wrong, until I asked our Midwives- who said no, it's normal...and reminded me of my next point:


- All babies are different. Yeah, ok, I knew this intellectually, but in reality, I think I assumed that "because Deven did , Rohan will do too." Already, I've been wrong. They may look really similar, but our two sons are certainly different people.

- That older brothers can be very tender and sweet to their baby brothers, even at just 20 months old. Deven so far: recognizes Rohan, will point towards him when you ask "Where's Rohan?" and will not only say "Baby" but will bring Rohan's topi (hat) when you ask. He has touched Rohan lightly, and hasn't tried anything harmful...yet. Not bad for an otherwise marauding toddler.


- That silver nitrate can be used to cauterize the remaining cord-stump when the main cord-piece falls off - it doesn't hurt, and doesn't mess with any skin other than the moist stuff it's cauterizing. This treatment is much better than an infected cord-stump (like Deven had).

- That, with the right help, including a wonderful husband/dad, mother-in-law, nanny, friends, relatives far & near, and even supportive colleagues, this mother-of-two-under-two thing isn't so bad. :-)