Monday, October 16, 2006

Can I do it again?

Pregnant women forget things. Okay, okay, ALL Mothers forget things. Many things. And it's not just labor. I mean, seriously, as I get closer to the due date (still 17 weeks away!), I admit that labor just doesn't sound as exciting as it was over 2 years ago. But it's more than that. I have forgotten so many things now that my baby is 2 years old. And I'm thinking it has a heck of a lot more to do with the fact that I'm focused completely on his developmental needs RIGHT now, as opposed to remembering what they WERE. You know what I mean?

Take #1 for example. I barely remember what it was like with her as an infant. I have snippets and snatches in my memory, but it's not as clear. Well, not clear now. See, when I had a baby before she turned 2, those memories transferred to #2 very easily. Then #3 came along when #2 was 18 months old. Again, transferrence and an easy time remembering how to mother an infant.

Now I'm terrified. I feel like a brand new mother all over again! People tell me to chill out --I'll figure it out, I'll remember when the time is right. And I'm sure they are right --in fact, deep down, I do believe that I'll be able to recall some awesome mothering strength of character during early morning feedings and/or umbilical cord care. But at the same time, I'm so scared that I've forgotten important things, you know? And it being my fourth child, I'm much to proud to go to a prenatal course or buy books on raising infants --I mean, come on! I'm a pro, right? I'm good at this by now, right?

~sigh~ Guess we'll just have to wait and see....

3 comments:

brenbot said...

you are psyching yourself out. stop. you probably don't remember what you did before because you didn't even have to think about it. it will all come back naturally.

ps. i remember being very impressed that you made your own baby wipes. do you still do that?

Cheryl said...

Oh, bren. Thanks.

P.S. HECK NO!!! :) The reason I don't is just time. It takes four hours per tub before they're ready to use, and with the 3 kids running around, I just don't have time. Costco Kirkland Sign. wipes are my saving sanity and I buy them, usually, in double bulk. :)

brenbot said...

so you are human. very well.