We couldn't end the year without mentioning some of the differences we have noticed in our caring for Sean. It's obvious that this Daddy is from Mars and this Mommy is from Venus. We are different in the way we care and interact with Sean.
Mommy is gentle, nurturing and caring. When Sean cries, she "runs" to his rescue. Sean is a mellow baby and doesn't cry or fuss very often, but when he does Mommy tries her best to figure out why Sean is crying. Is it a poopy diaper? Is he hungry? Is he tired? Does he simply want to be held and comforted?
Daddy is also caring and loving with Sean, but unlike Mommy, Sean's crying (a little) doesn't bother Daddy. And Daddy doesn't feel like he needs to "run" to Sean's rescue immediately. One huge difference between Mommy & Daddy is that Daddy loves to play with and make Sean laugh. There is no question that Sean thinks Daddy is funny and enjoys it when Daddy plays with him.
Mommy & Daddy take on different tasks in caring for Sean. Mommy (mostly) feeds Sean, but Daddy also bottle feeds him. Mommy holds Sean for endless hours. Daddy holds Sean too, but doesn't feel a need to hold him nearly as long as Mommy does. Both Daddy & Mommy gives Sean LOTS of kisses. Daddy has been great at bathing Sean and trimming his finger and toe nails.
Both Mommy & Daddy enjoy talking to and singing to Sean. Sean seems to enjoy it when we sing and talk with him.
A little humor from survival4moms.com
1. The Bathroom Break - Mom holds on until she’s about to burst, then does her business in 30 seconds with Baby watching from the bouncy chair.
- Dad settles in with magazine and is MIA for 30 minutes.
2. Visiting Friends- Mom is concious that Baby’s bedtime is approaching so suggests it’s time to get going. She gathers and packs baby paraphernalia, puts Baby in clean diaper and PJs and prepares Baby’s milk.- Dad accepts another beer and heads off to the den to admire friend’s new technical gadget acquisition.
3. Baby’s Lunchtime- Mom preps a healthy balanced meal of pasta, cheese and fruit 15 minutes in advance.
- Dad wonders why Baby is particularly cranky at 2:30pm, then remembers he hasn’t been fed. He quickly tries to remedy the situation by giving Baby a fistful of soda crackers.
4. Nighttime- Mom pops up like a jack-in-the-box as Baby lets out the first wail. She springs to the aid of the crying baby and spends 20 minutes going through the getting-back-to-sleep routine. After 5 minutes back in bed she’s worried it’s too quiet and is up again checking that the baby is still breathing.
- Dad stirs and opens one eye as Mom lowers her weary body back into the bed and mumbles something useful like “What’s the matter with him?” before resuming his snoring.
5. Going Out - Mom dresses Baby, changes his diaper when he poops 2 minutes later, changes his outfit when he spits up 3 minutes later, changes her own outfit because said spit up travelled. She sets about packing the baby bag with 2 changes of clothes, bib, soother, toys, snacks, diapers, wipes, sunhat, sunscreen, … then sits to wait for 15 minutes for Dad to be ready.
- Dad has to go back for the camera when they finally get in the car and Mom asks him if he’s got it.
We love being Sean's Mommy & Daddy!
Happy 2012!
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