Forming the Future

Tuesday

Feb172015

There are a lot of things I love about the giant age gap between Mila and Alexis, but one of the best is the fact that Alexis is, in many ways, forming who she will be as a parent now.

Every day is a new lesson for the Big Kid. For example, initially she COMPLETELY freaked out every time Mila cried. Now she realizes that the cries usually mean Mila is either hungry or sleepy. That means it might be OK for Alexis to finish reading a chapter in her book before acknowledging that she hears Mila. The days of her yelling, "MOM, HELP HER!" the second Mila seems sad are apparently over. (THANK GOODNESS.)

Alexis has also learned that time is an entirely different concept with a baby around. She knows all about having to try to leave extra early, that the best laid plans often land you with a diaper explosion and a delay, and that you just can't rush a tiny person.

Then there are the tumbles and falls. While Mila is all about seeking out things that can be used to start a fire, she's also weirdly cautious. I've never seen a baby think so hard about sitting down. She spends several minutes trying to find a way to plop down without actually plopping, sometimes going so far as to spread her legs little-by-little until they are super far apart and it's only an inch or two to the ground. Sometimes, though, her planning backfires and she ends up falling harder than she would like.

It makes her FURIOUS.

At first Alexis thought she was hurt. She now realizes it's anger. That realization has been like a giant chill pill for the kid.

Oh, and when Mila legit falls? Or hits her head? Or scratches herself? At first Alexis FLIPPED THE HELL OUT. She worried and worried, gasping for breath, grabbing her chest, and basically having a fainting spell. After I explained that she can't react until she waits to see how Mila will react, things have been much less dramatic.

Alexis is going to be a chill first parent.

Or she's just going to call me all of the time.

Both scenarios are fine by me.