Newborn 101 - Déjà Vu

My, oh my, how I have forgotten the basics of mothering.

For instance:

If you leave the house for a few minutes, you need to remember to take several diapers, a hefty supply of wipes, a blanket, and a backup outfit for the baby.

If you leave the house for more than an hour, you need all of the above and a backup outfit for yourself, and one for your husband as well.

As a rule, you have to prepare for the unimaginable as it really is more likely than you'd think once you add in the newborn variable.

As a nursing mother, you can't just eat whatever you want. Broccoli and cabbage and beans are likely to keep you up at night from all of the gas your newborn will then have to pass.

Babies are like puppies. Once you take one out in public, you frequently will find yourself the center of attention.

Moral of the story: The second child is a bit like riding a bike after a long absence. You fall over the first few times and look stupid (or get covered in smelly bodily functions), but eventually it comes back to you.