Dateline Boston — Two-and-a-half years ago, I cared for my first baby. I was so scared of little Theo, I didn’t even touch him until he was eight weeks old. At least, that’s my memory of it. Dad told me that we have a picture of me holding Theo at three weeks. I looked at the old photos. He was right. Theo was swaddled tighter than a burrito and had to be handed to me. But there I was. I didn’t pick him up or hold him for extended periods of time, or watch him by myself until he was at least eight weeks old, when Mom went back to work.
I remember the first time that happened. Mom was going out for an hour. I was in charge. I was a nervous wreck but I got through it. Each day following was easier than the last, until, when Theo was three months old, my instincts really kicked in. Raising Theo to toddlerhood has been a breeze. Mostly.
One month ago, Theo’s little brother Zane was born. When I was at the hospital to see him, Mom asked me if I wanted to hold him. “Yes!” I piped up. What a far cry from holding Theo, grimacing, afraid that something horrible was going to happen. When Zane was two weeks old, I picked him up. I changed his diaper, and I watched him for a couple of hours while Mom was out. When he was three weeks old, I gave him his first bottle. This week I gave him his second.
Things are so much easier the second time around. I am not scared when he cries. I know exactly how to pick him up and hold his head, I am not afraid he is going to break. I even dress him. That still is a wee bit nerve wracking. I am getting better. His little limbs are so fragile looking. I am getting to know him. He likes to be held facing my chest, sitting up. He likes when I sing “You Are My Sunshine.” He gets mad if he has a dirty diaper (Mom had to give me that tip).
I have a friend who is due in a week. I told her I would come over when her son was a couple weeks old and show her what to do. If anyone had told me three years ago that I would be offering to help someone with a newborn, I would have told you to get your head examined. I am a baby whisperer, thanks to Theo. He taught me everything I know.
Ms. Vaillancourt may be contacted at snobbyblog@gmail.com
