Child 1 vs. Child 2

Yup, this is what it looks like. The girls have started to wrestle. They are better matched for each other than you may think- Ella's got the quick moves and the cunning mind but Maya is already on all fours and knows where to place her teeth for maximum impact (as seen in Exhibit A.)



Okay, perhaps there is some hyperbole in the above statements. The truth is, if you add in hair pulling, Maya is the much better contender.



Some thoughts I have been mulling over lately about parenting the first child and now parenting the second:



1. With child #1, there is much concern about what things go into the oral cavity. With child #2, it's more of, well, that could pass through the intestines if it had to. Any and all items that entered Child #1's mouth went through a sterilization and inspection. Child #2 is given anything that will appease - straws, cardboard books that we know she will eat small chunks off of, calculators (not plugged in), washclothes, spoons, and, yes, even the pacifier. (Child #1 got the last word on us refusing to give her a pacifier- she sucked, and still sucks, her thumb.)



2. Child #1 was FORBIDDEN to eat any sugar or artificial substance until age 2. Child #2 LOVES ice cream at 10 months old and child #1 is encouraged to share hers with child #2.



3. We could make wallpaper with the photos taken of #1 and with #2 there are enough for a small photo album (but, I must say, they are far better.)



4. Child #1 was practically surgically sterilized between diapers. Child #2 might only get wiped if there is anything to be removed- it's more of a whisk it off, slap it on kind of situation.

5. Upon a fall or stumble, Child #1 was subjected to nothing less than a comprehensive exam, complete with pupil dilation checks, a neurological exam and range of motion of all major joints. Conversely, it has been heard, since the arrival of Child #2, "Oh, that's not that much blood."

But really, other than having tandem crying fits, both wanting to be carried at the same time, not getting enough sleep and being up to our eyeballs in diapers, toys and mess, it is actually easier having two. Which brings me to my last one...

6. Child #1 was not left alone with people much as a baby and our occasional overnights were wrought with worry. Child #2 we have no problem leaving (within reason) because we can always fall back on it.... she's got her big sister. They share a room. If Child #1 is scared, we just play up the presence of Child #2. As if a 10 month old is going to provide a lot of safety against the closet monster. It works, though. So, no matter how inconsistently they have been parented, they have each other. Two is better than one.

You can see though, speaking the baby in my family, how the youngest one might end with less rules, more parental flexibility and maybe the teensiest bit spoiled?