The Easy Part

Dear Jack,

Last summer, I kept telling myself that I was doing the easy part. That taking a little newborn you out with your sister, then two and half, was so much easier than it would be when I had a one year old you and a three and half year old sister.

I'm not sure that was true. Today, for example, we played outside for over an hour, which last summer I actually could not have done because it was simply too hot for a newborn. Then I played on the computer and took a little nap myself as you took a two hour nap, also unheard of last summer. After that, we went to the library where I got to play with you and your sister and even read some books instead of trying to discretely nurse you while hoping your sister listened to me and stayed close since she was really too little to play out of sight.

Last summer, I'm realizing in retrospect, was really, really, really hard.

I'm just glad I didn't know it at the time. I'm also realizing the value in looking at what's easy instead of looking at what's hard. What's easy right now is that you are still content much of the time in your stroller. Next summer, you will be off and running. This summer, your sister listens pretty well and you like to stay close to me. Next summer, the two of you may be in cahoots to do goodness knows what. This summer, you are sweet and snuggly and still my baby boy. Next summer, you will be a toddler yourself and you know what they say about those terrible twos. This summer you reliably nap. Next summer I may be bribing both you and your sister to play in your rooms so I can get a minute to myself.

This summer, I think, may be the easy part.

At least, I think it is if I focus more on the sweetness of you,

and less on the whole screaming phase you are currently working your way through.


Besides, life is lived better focusing on the good under most any circumstances anyway.

Love,
Mom