Conventional wisdom takes one of two arguments. Some say the transition from one to two is the hardest; others say the real change comes at three, when the kids outnumber the parents for the first time. But everyone agrees after that, it doesn’t make any difference. Four or eight, it’s all the same. I beg…
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On, In, Around
I’m sitting in the back of the van with the kids, watching Christian talk to his new wife up front. Out of nowhere, Nicholas glibly recites an entire line of some REM song with a lot of words, and I think, Uh-oh. I head forward and lean between the front seats to tell Christian we…
Read MoreSlobbers When Happy
Adorable, easygoing six-month-old seeks baby-loving companion susceptible to flirting. Best qualities: starry brown eyes, long eyelashes, killer smile, and the best belly laugh ever heard. Bonus: rolls of fat are a plus at this age. Likes: latching onto any convenient body part, being pummeled with own hand, big brother’s most annoying baby voice. Loves: Mommy,…
Read MoreThe Ties That Bind
During my first pregnancy, I was a voracious reader of all things baby-related. So I knew going into the birth experience that not everyone falls head over heels for their baby at first sight. Sometimes, the collective wisdom of the experts warned, bonding takes time. By the time Alex finally made his appearance, after almost…
Read MoreBittersweet…till he brings me back to reality
In six days, Michael will be six months old. You know what that means: it’s time for the first meal. I was determined to make it all the way to six months on breast alone this time, but like his brothers, he had other ideas. Ideas that involve wailing if left on the floor during a…
Read MoreMoonglow
The world is black and white and silver beneath the full moon as I stumble down the hallway and retrieve a hungry boy from his crib. It’s been weeks now since we’ve needed to turn on the light to help us latch, so as we enter the room, the nursing chair waits in a mural…
Read MoreHe’s Cranky? Run Some Bath Water!
People are always asking me, “Is Michael always this happy?” The answer is basically yes. He’s a very smiley baby, and if he isn’t it’s because he a) needs a diaper change, b) is hungry, or c) is tired. I credit the NICU. If ten days being poked, prodded, and forced to lie for hours…
Read MoreThe Trouble With Absolutes
I used to think I was an “attachment parent.” I have kept my babies, all four of them, close by me, never put them on a schedule, never fed them a bottle, responded to their needs and always proceeded on the belief that we have to learn to be parent and child together. I don’t…
Read MoreBigger Than Me
After two blissful weeks of uninterrupted sleep, Michael started waking to nurse again. I took it philosophically, because I’d been expecting it–I’ve said often enough that sleeping through the night is a myth–and these days he mixes it up; a night or two on, a night or two off. This was an “on” night, and…
Read MoreHave Breast, Will Travel
For the past seven years, my days have been defined by the routine care of children. Lacking day care, I haul them with me on errands or I don’t go at all. (Christian does a lot more lunchtime errand running now than he did in days past.) I have a semi-regular babysitter now to give…
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Kathleen M. Basi 