The Secret Ingredient

With raised eyebrows, many people begrudgingly congratulated Patton and me on our pregnancy and the impending birth of our second child.  They also felt it necessary to let us know that having children so close together was going to be, well... "A NIGHTMARE AND TOO HARD! OMG WHATAREYOUTHINKING!! ( ...I am, of course, paraphrasing.)

Anyway,  some of the more subtile concerns for our welfare included (but were not limited to): Two babies with bottles in diapers, Not enough time to spend with either, SLEEP!, The older won't be able to "help-out" with the younger, etc etc... 

WELL!  We'll show you, Naysayers!! Turns out that last one was way off.  I've got more help than I could ever have imagined :)  ThankYouVeryMuch!

Other than the occasional "bring that to mama." request, I don't really ask for much in the way of help from Sofs.  But, this incredibly perceptive and HELPFUL  little girl has been picking up on some of the very subtile details of the day-to-day routine, and offering assistance in a way that only a 16 month-old can.  For example: 

1. When the baby cries- She goes to him.  If he's within reach, she will try to offer him the binky, or a kiss or give him a gentle pat on the tummy.  
   
2. When the baby's swing stops- She gives him a little push.  She'll also start the music for him (wether he's around to hear it or not).
   
3. When the baby's mouth is open- She puts a Cheerio (or sippy cup of juice, or hunk of cheese...) in.
4. When the baby's eyes are closed- She sticks a finger in it to make sure it's still there.
5. When the baby gets his diaper changed- she takes care of the dirty diap for me.  

So Helpful...  in the horseshoes and hand-grenades kind of way.  

I mean, I can't get over how adorable it is that she came out of the kitchen clapping as if to say, "I did it.  You're Welcome!"  And I also can't get over how glad I am that I realized the diaper was missing and NOT in the trashcan.  It did not take me long to realize that to a baby, one cupboard is the same as the next, because WOOHOO!  Prize in the baking cabinet!  

So sweet.  These are the moments that I'm really glad I had our babies close together.  Because, if I had a 4 year old shoving dirty diapers in with the Bisquick, I'd be less than entertained.