When we first brought him home, he got all my attention. Nursed every two hours. Was held all the time. Snuggled with me in bed. Rarely sat in a swing or bouncy chair. And now that he is older and I'm on my own with all three, he still gets held a lot, at least compared to the twins when they were his age. When we are out and about, he gets to ride in the Ergo instead of being in a stroller. Being just one baby, its so easy to have him with me, on me, all the time. I feel like he's mine. I don't have to share him with anyone. A momma's boy in the making!
Matteo, 2 weeks old, napping in our bedBut then there is the neglect that comes with being a third child to a harried mommy. Lately, he has been spending a lot of time on his play-mat. I did the same thing with the twins, but I usually "played" with them, took their picture, talked to them. When I put Tater on his mat, I go off and do 100 other things, 99 of them for his brother and sister. I have so few pictures of him, its embarrassing. I drag him all over the place - play dates, gymnastics class, EI play group, errands - with little respect for his nap schedule*. I'm not sure how long I can keep this up. At some point (soon), it will be too hard to just treat him like luggage.
I can't even begin to understand the challenges, but I imagine that about the time he starts fighting being "luggage" will be just about the time that Colette and Sebastian will start being a real help to you. Today, there was 1.5 hour period during which Lucas and I looked at each other and said, "They really don't have any need for us right now, do they?" The girls were planning yet another show in their room, and didn't want to be interrupted.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about Josephine. I would say her photos are about 1 to 100 for Ned and Penny. And this is with a nanny to be with Ned and Penny. I'd like to think that by the time Josephine is walking Ned and Penny will be more independent.
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