Basically, when you have a new baby, everyone asks the same questions. Which is fine, because at least I know what to expect. Like, if they asked me math problems or something, it would totally throw me off.
So, to save everyone time, I’ll just cover the most common baby questions.
How are you adjusting?
I’m not sure. But then again, I don’t even know what day it is. I mean, I never sleep straight through the night and I don’t even know what “personal space” is anymore.
None of this comes as a shock, since I’ve done it a couple of times before.
But there’s no adjusting about it. You don’t get used to having an infant puke down the INSIDE of your shirt (there’s a reason Jesus makes babies so adorable). It’s never really enjoyable to clean poop off of someone’s butt.
You just survive, wishing he’d stay small forever and hoping he’ll potty train in the next week or so.
Is he a good baby?
What EXACTLY makes a baby good? He doesn’t rob banks or anything. So yeah, he’s pretty darn good.
Has he reached ______ developmental milestone?
OK, just don’t ask this one. It basically giving me a recipe for something to worry about.
When Enoch was about a month and a half, we went to the pediatrician. The nurse quizzed me from her developmental list:
“If he wakes up crying in his crib, and nothing is wrong, does he calm himself down and go back to sleep?”
Um. No. Does any baby? I’ve certainly never had one that did.
My kids have all been very goal oriented people, so when they wake up, it’s because they need something done. And they will not relent until it’s accomplished.
“Does he follow you with his eyes?”
I… I don’t… Um. I haven’t noticed. OMG. MAYBE HE’S BLIND.
(He started following us with his eyes about a week after the appointment, so I’m breathing again.)
“Is he giggling and smiling?”
No. No, he just stares at us with huge eyes and a serious face. (Yes, I realize this should have negated the blindness question.) So, if he’s not smiling, maybe he doesn’t like us. Maybe he’s not happy! Oh dear.
(He is starting to smile. I guess he’s planning to keep us.)
“Is he sleeping through the night?”
Don’t. Just don’t.
Now that I’ve covered the basics, you don’t have to bother with them next time you see me. You can just walk up and ask the question you’re REALLY dying to ask:
“Can I hold him?”
Yes. Yes you may.