Confessions of a Second Time Mom

I hold Molly all the time when she is sleeping. I also hold/bounce/sway her to sleep regularly. I know this will make it harder for her to learn to fall asleep on her own, but I also remember how quickly they grow out of the phase where they can sleep while being held.

I confess that I don't rush to Molly every time she begins to cry. Sometimes she is just fussing, sometimes she is frustrated, and sometimes if I wait like five seconds she will stop on her own and fall asleep. This would have never happened with Isabelle. I felt horrible for letting her cry even for one second. This probably explains why I am able to get more done around the house, take more showers and in general be a happier mom this time around.


If Molly spits up a little on the blanket she is laying on, instead of getting a new blanket, I just move her to a clean spot. After all, she usually spits up again and how many blankets can a person wash in one day?


I confess that if her pacifier falls on the floor, I now do what I would have considered absolutely disgusting before and pop it in my mouth and then give it back to her rather than cleaning it in boiling water first.


Molly sleeps on her tummy. I know this is a major no-no according to most of the population, but she sleeps better, sleeps longer and doesn't have a flat head.


I confess that I don't always call the doctor when Molly seems to have a little cold. I did this with Isabelle and spent a bazillion dollars on co pays to be told repeatedly that there was nothing they could do to help. Now I just do what I did with Isabelle, like use saline drops in the nose for congestion, put a humidifier in the room, and suction out her nose. I have a fancy tool to look in her ears for infection rather than rushing to the doctor every time she has a rough night, and because of that, I have saved hundreds. Babies can't take medicine for congestion so unless there is a fever, there is no real reason to go to the doctor. The first time I realized I hadn't called the doctor for something I would have for Isabelle, I felt guilty. Now I just feel smart.


Lastly, I confess to be one of those know-it-all moms. I don't mean to be, and I am working on correcting my problem! I think that after you have one baby and figure out how you and your family work and then you have another baby and you do even better (not perfect mind you, just better), you assume that what works for you will work for everyone. This is NOT the case and so as much as I want to offer my words of wisdom to other moms, I am trying to stop assuming there is a one-size fits all model for raising kids.


Those are my confessions, what are yours?

10 things continued...

10 things about Molly:

1. Molly sleeps...A LOT. I am not complaining (or bragging), I am just stating a fact. She has been sleeping through the night since about two months. She also takes around 4-5 naps a day. I know there will come a day when this will end, but for now, I am loving it.

2. She has one dimple. Actually, she does have two, but only one really shows when she smiles. It is precious (or presh if you are related to me).

3. For the time being, Molly is a momma's girl. I am positive this is because I am the food source. I am enjoying this time now because I know it too, like the naps, will end. It is inevitable, Jason is nicer.

4. Molly can roll over from tummy to back. She mastered this over a month ago. Jason and I missed the first one. We were shopping while in KC visiting my Dad and Terry. They saw it!

5. The only food that I eat that seems to bother Molly is tacos. This is tragic. I love tacos. We eat a lot of tacos.

6. Without a doubt, Molly will be crawling sooner than Isabelle did. She is already moving around by pulling her legs up and pushing herself forward. I have to move her back down in her crib at night because she pushes herself all the way to the top.

7. Molly can laugh, she just chooses not to. She laughed the other day when I was moving her arms around making her dance, but won't do it again. It was so cute and I can't wait to hear it more!

8. Crying is not common at our house. Of course I write this after yesterday where Molly had her worst crying episode EVER at my mom's house. But really, she doesn't cry very much at all. I made the mistake with Isabelle of thinking that meant she was an easygoing child.....I won't make that same mistake twice.

9. Despite doctors worrying Molly would not gain weight fast enough, she is a champion eater. In fact, she is getting downright chubby. I think Dr. Doom would be proud.

10. Molly loves her sister. Whenever I am holding Molly and Isabelle, Molly is all smiles. I hope they continue to be bff's forever. Having a sister is so much fun!

10 Things

Ten Things about Isabelle

1. She knows sign language. Some people know this, some do not. She knows milk, cheese, cracker, cookie, please, more, thank you, fish, frog, diaper (as in she needs a new one), juice, toothbrush, bath and book just to name a few.

2. Isabelle LOVES the show, Yo Gabba Gabba. If you know Isabelle and you don't know that, you have obviously not been paying attention.

3. Her baby doll's name is Hissssss. That's right. Think of the sound a snake makes and that is what Isabelle will tell you is her doll's name. It is so funny to me.

4. Swimming and dancing are her two favorite activities. Coloring comes in a close third.

5. This past month, her favorite food has been green beans. Whole green beans, not cut green beans. She will eat a whole can if I let her. I am also certain that next month (or sooner) she will decide she does not like green beans any longer and I will have to begin the process of finding her new favorite food.

6. She cannot go to sleep without the following items in her bed: Bear-Bear, Hiss, Minnie, Glo-worm, two blankets, little stuffed buffalo, and her pillow. Every couple of weeks she finds another animal or toy to take to bed and the list grows.

7. If she could have it her way, she would brush her teeth 20 times a day. That girl loves to brush her teeth. It started out with her brushing with us in the morning and then after her bath at night. Apparently the toothpaste for kids is delicious, because now she asks all day long to brush her teeth. Now she brushes at least 4 times a day, sometimes more.

8. Isabelle prefers to have water dumped over her head in the bath. She will throw a fit if you try to rinse her hair the way most normal children prefer. And by throw a fit, I mean she will refuse to lay back so that you have no choice but to dump the water straight over her face.

9. The car is not a happy place. Isabelle hates car rides. Sometimes the Gabba CD will work to keep her happy, but not always.

10. She loves baby La-La. Okay, so sometimes she steps on her, or smacks her, or yanks the paci out, but she really does love Molly. I know for sure because at random times throughout the day she will kiss Molly on the head for no reason. Or lay down on the blanket with Molly and just smile at her. I am pretty sure they are going to be best buds.