It's hard to be a second child, I've decided. I am the oldest in my family, so never knew what it was like to be second at everything. Second to roll over. Second to eat solid food. Second to crawl. Second to say "mama."
So sorry, sister. I just never knew.
But I'm witnessing it first hand with Rachelle. She's the second. Second to keep me up at night. Second to throw her food all over the floor. Second to squirm out of every diaper change. And the second to capture my heart.
Sometimes I find that she gets second-rate attention, too. She gets put in her crib while I teach preschool to the first. (It is during her nap time. Don't freak out too much!) She gets to nurse only after I find something to occupy the first, like a video, or an art project, or a snack. She gets to take her morning nap after we've done our morning walking or library activity with the first.
We took her to her 9-month appointment this week. She's growing (16 lbs. 15 oz.; 20% for weight, 30% for height) and fiesty (hey doc, don't make me lay down on the table!!) and healthy. But even her doctor's appointment was overshadowed by the first.
Because it was time for the flu vaccine. And both girls were scheduled to get theirs. Michael came along for reinforcement. Because, as you know, there is just no way to get Shaelyn to cooperate at the doctor's office. Her fear is irrational to the point of dangerous.
The nurses knew we were coming. They were steeling themselves for the task ahead - getting the smallest-yet-amazingly-strong-2-year-old to stay still long enough to jab a needle in her body somewhere and not have it break off. Or something else equally as dramatic. But then the clouds parted. Because one of the nurses said she qualified to have the nasal mist vaccine. She asked me which I would rather do. "Which ever one she would cooperate better for," I replied. "You know she's not going to cooperate with either," was the response.
So what to do?! On the one hand, the mist would be easier, less traumatic. No pain. No needles. But the doctor would have to get really close to her face (and she's terrified of him) and she would have to cooperate by inhaling twice (and she DOES NOT cooperate at the doctor's office). On the other hand, the needle would get the vaccine in her system. Guaranteed. But it would involve restraining, screaming, and pain.
We asked Shaelyn what she wanted. And with a small whimper in her voice, she told us she wanted to "breathe with her nose." So we practiced inhaling. And inhaling. And inhaling. She became quite the expert. And then something bizzare happened. She smiled at the doctor. And told him what she dressed up as for Halloween. Then let him get close to her face. And touch her. And inhaled the vaccine like a champ.
Well, all exuberance over Rachelle's growth or milestones or health went out the window. Because here was our first overcoming her major, life-altering anxiety. Here was a major milestone achieved by the first. Here were the proud, beaming parents of the first - the sweet, amazing child who can inhale with both nostrils!
Not to be outdone, the second came home and quickly pointed out that she has been the earliest to hit milestones. The earliest to roll over (4 weeks). To sleep through the night (6 weeks). To sit up (3 1/2 months). To crawl (5 months). To pull up (7 months). To stand without help (8 months).
She reminded us of this, not by taking a ginger step (which she had already done). But by standing up without holding on to anything, bouncing a few times for balance, and taking 5 very sure steps toward Mommy.
Take that, first!
* she loves to dance to "I like to move it, move it" and "Higher"
* she hates laying down on her back for ANYTHING - diaper changes, getting dressed, nursing, going to sleep. she has been a tummy sleeper since she could roll over (4 weeks!)
* she has an appetite (and SCREAMS to remind you) - it's hard for me to keep up with it, mainly because i never had to feed the first
* she has to have something in each hand at all times - usually something she shouldn't have, like tissues or candy wrappers or carpet fibers
* she has a great set of lungs and screams at anything that makes her mad (which is most things) - getting her nails clipped, getting dressed, getting her diaper changed, getting things taken away from her, getting carpet fibers swiped from her mouth, getting moved from her current position when she's getting into stuff she shouldn't... whew! she's exhausting!
* hates for anyone but me (and sometimes michael) to hold her, look at her, pretend to look at her, make mention of her, or even occupy the same planet as her - this also results in screaming
* loves to watch Signing Time, Super Why!, and Dinosaur Train (she always perks up when they come on)
* loves being held up in the air over your head, dipped between your legs, and bounced on your feet like you're in the circus
* still laughs hysterically when Shaelyn dances, runs, or jumps
* likes being read lift-the-flap books (and is really good at lifting the flaps)
* loves other babies - especially newborns - and wants to touch their faces
* eats (and eats and eats) anything we put in front of her - especially loves french toast, pasta, green beans, wheat bread, and cheese
