Doodlebug #2

I've devoted most of my postings to Connor's antics...reasons being that, in life, the squeaky wheel usually does get the grease. 

I've always prided myself to be a fairly empathetic person by nature...I am very sensitive in a large gathering if someone else is being ignored and I always try to not to leave anyone out (This, of course, has brought me to very low depths of people-pleasing and insecurities about what others thought of me, etc...don't ask me why, I can't explain it.). 
Anyway, my hope was that this handicap could be used for good and serve me well as a mother of, now, two boys. 

Anyone who has two, with the first being very energetic and, yes, egocentric and the second being very quiet and patient, will tell you that it is a constant battle to convince the former (and sometimes yourself) that the latter needs as much attention.

Aidan will be 9 months old on March 10th, and over the course of the past 8 1/2 months, I've developed a much keener awareness to spot those moments when I can swoop in a be available to JUST Aidan.  PDO helps a lot--three days a week, Aidan and I get to roll around on the floor, play pat-a-cake and EVEN play with some of Connor's toys, all without interruption. 

I'm still trying to figure out the nature vs. nurture question in relation to Aidan's laid-back personality.  There was a lot of stress surrounding his arrival with my health in question and impending surgery for melanoma.  My parents stayed for a month to help.  From the 'old-school' of parenting, they helped us forget about trying to start "schedules" and such--Aidan ended up napping in the middle of a chaotic kitchen during meal preparation and play-doh sessions with Connor.  We were amazed at his ability to grab those zzzzz's anytime and any place. 

But, it was not just the sleeping.  Aidan was always very complacent...and not the negative sense of the word.  With everything else going on in ours lives at the time, here was this precious baby boy, so beautiful...so sweet, and he was here just waiting to get to know us and for us to get to know him.  It was as if he knew that our lives were turned upside down...I didn't know what God's plan was for me or how much time I had. 

He was so patient with us.  And, like any good baby brother and second child, when we finally turned our focus to him after all had the scariness melted away into our usual normal chaos, Aidan bore no ill will...he just smiled.