So, they really are different!

Miriam is a mellow little girl. She is content to be wherever I put her. Today I put her in a bouncy seat in the bathroom and she watched me take a long, luxurious shower. I've only heard her full-out cry twice, and once was when she was born. The other time was when I put her in the carseat, but it was only for a second; soon she figured out that she kinda liked the carseat too.

I can't help but compare Naomi and Miriam. Tempermentally I can already see differences. Miriam is very alert and watchful. When you talk, she looks like she's listening. When she looks at you, you get the feeling she's trying to communicate. She inspires me to keep up a running commentary. Naomi, when she was awake, was usually unhappy or well on her way to being so, if she wasn't nursing. She spent very little time in a "quiet alert" state. It felt silly to talk to her.

Naomi was much more robust physically. Miriam has a pliant, floppy feel. Naomi was sturdy and stiff. She could support her weight on her legs, even at this age. No surprise that she took her first unnassisted steps at 8 months old.

You know what else is weird? Miriam hasn't spit up once. Naomi spit up after every meal until she was nine months old. I was perpetually covered in baby puke.

I remember reading all the stuff about hunger cues when I was pregnant with Naomi, and how crying was a late sign of hunger ect. ect. I thought it was all bullshit after Naomi was born because she would go from placid and sleeping to frantically hungry in five seconds. Sure, there were hunger cues, but they were in fast forward. She would start butting her head against whoever was holding her and if I didn't get there right away she's be screaming. Miriam, on the other hand, has all those hunger cues I read about it. First she wakes up, then she starts looking around, then she might open her mouth or suck on her hand, but by that time I'm well aware that she's hungry and I'm making preparations to feed her.

It's possible that I'm simply a more perceptive parent now. I'm more familiar with that language of infancy and Miriam is reaping the benefits. Right now I'm going to sit in the rosy place of believing thst I might have gotten the mythical "easy baby". Josh likes to puncture my illusions: "Naomi gave us a grace period too, y'know".

Comments

[Miriam]

Hey--Andi told me to stop over--this is great news--and it's another Miriam in the world, Miriam

[Crystal]

Miriam is such a beautiful name. Congratulations to you all!

How is big sister dealing with the new arrival?

[Manuela]

I'm just LOVING these posts! I'm all warm and fuzzy inside...

[running2ks]

My mom always told me to forget everything you learned on the first kid when the second comes along. I think it is wonderful that you know your girls so well, and can tailor your parenting to each. They both sound like fantastic kids.