2nd Helpings

When Phil and I went to Mexico on our honeymoon, we were surprised and a little naively flattered when we walked through the market to catcalls of "Newlyweds! Newlyweds..." Each vendor seemed to know we were just married and offered jewelry and candies just for "the special couple." We must have exuded that doe-eyed romantic glow. It wasn't until the second time we went to Mexico, a year later with some friends of ours, that we realized "Newlyweds!" was a ploy they use on any couple under fifty. Probably also on any particularly happy-looking geriatric couple. The flattery makes you feel looser with your wallet.

A second pregnancy has some of the same amusing revelations. Every time I see a new nurse, I'm asked, "First baby?" This time, its kind of a relief and a compliment all rolled into one. With Eloïse, I thought they must be picking up on the innocence and terror that eluded my attempts at keeping it cool. But now when I hear "First baby?", I think I must look young and not too haggard.

There are other benefits to being experienced with this pregnancy thing.* I don't panic nearly as often at the rogue bump or sniffle. Nor do I worry quite so much about whether there might have been some strange cheese on my salad. Did they heat the deli meat enough to kill off any lingering listeria? It doesn't even cross my mind. On the whole, I feel the way that I tried to feel the first time - confident that God will take care of all the little details and give me exactly the baby He has planned.

*Someday, perhaps I will put a book together of all the things you figure out in subsequent pregnancies. I think I would title it "That's Not the Baby Kicking, It's Just Gas." It would include nuggets like, "You no longer have time for lengthy blog posts, reflecting on the amazing changes happening to your body, because you are having too too much fun chasing kiddo(s) number 1 (and 2 and 3 and...) to notice that you can no longer paint your toenails."