Whenever I thought about having my second kid I felt like I would be an expert and always know what to do. I thought that since I had done it before it would be a breeze the second time around. In many ways, it is.
It’s not a shock to my system and way of life, the little things like diaper changes and burping aren’t things I have to learn. And there’s definitely a confidence and lack of caring what other people think.
But in just the last three short months there have been so many times I have felt way more like a rookie mom than I ever thought I would. 
I attempted to get a happy matching photo minutes before leaving the house at the start of the 5 p.m. newborn witching hour.
Breastfeeding
I struggled with my first big time. That was the hardest experience ever. But I figured with my struggle would come an expertise in it the second time around. While things are definitely going much better, I am still at a loss many days. Isaiah had a pretty severe lip tie that was causing a bad latch. We had that fixed and then my supply was on overdrive, and then my letdown is super forceful. FYI – this is not a ‘good problem to have’ as I’ve been told. He still snacks every two hours, and pulls on and off and on and off. It is so frustrating for both of us, and a surprise for sure.
Baby Gear
I went for a walk with the two the other day and tried to put the baby in one baby carrier by myself. I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t reach the clip on my back and he screamed as I tried. So I put him in the wrap and he was happier, but I tied it all weird so he was sort of falling out the whole walk, and I was pushing the stroller with one hand, and holding the baby’s head with the other. How do I forget how to use these things so quickly?
Knowing how to handle both at the same time presents a whole new set of challenges.
Playing with both of them at the same time is no easy task, especially when the toddler’s favorite games are wrestle and throw things. It’s one thing to juggle cooking and dishes and keeping a toddler alive and happy. But it’s a whole different ball game when you add in infant care. I literally never stop going.
There are plenty of days where I feel like I’m barely keeping my head above water.
There’s a song from a kids show you may recognize that says I don’t know what I’m doing I’m just doing it. I think they wrote this for parents because this is motherhood. First time or second time -maybe you get it by #3 or 4? I have a feeling probably not- we’re kind of always in rookie status! But you know what? Our kids don’t care!
As long as we love them, we are rookie of the year!
