By Cheryl Bac
E-mail Cheryl Bac
About this blog: I'm a wife, stay-at-home mom, home cook, marathon runner, and PhD. I recently moved to the Silicon Valley after completing my PhD in Social Psychology and becoming a mother one month apart. Before that, I ran seven marathons incl...
(More)About this blog: I'm a wife, stay-at-home mom, home cook, marathon runner, and PhD. I recently moved to the Silicon Valley after completing my PhD in Social Psychology and becoming a mother one month apart. Before that, I ran seven marathons including Chicago and Boston. Exercise is an integral part of my life. I hope to one day go back to long distance running and tackle the New York City Marathon. Right now I run after my one year old son. Although I am a stay-at-home mom, we are rarely "at home." My mom also stayed at home with my brother and me. She warned me that, although rewarding, it can be isolating. So, with her help, I learned the importance of getting out into the community and meeting other mothers. On the rare occasion when I am at home and have a hand or two free, I squeeze in time to scrapbook. As a new mom, many challenges are thrown my way. I hope my opinions, triumphs, and struggles help experienced parents reminisce, new parents cope, and parents-to-be get an honest glimpse of what the first years of motherhood can entail.
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When I was pregnant with our daughter, I looked forward to watching our son interact with her. Maybe he could bring a diaper when she needed to be changed, a blanket when she was cold, or a toy when she needed entertainment.
After our daughter was born, it was heartwarming to see him tend to his baby sister. He gave her a pacifier or pushed her swing when she cried. Sometimes his help was met with smiles and giggles and other times our daughter continued to cry or flailed her arms in protest. I felt terrible that I wasn't able to fully prepare our son for just how difficult it can be to calm a fussing baby.
As our daughter approaches her first birthday, our kids' relationship is ever changing. Sometimes our son calms his sister's cries. Other times they play side by side as play mates. And other times I spend most of my energy figuring out ways to keep the peace.
I'm sure their relationship will only become more complex as our daughter becomes more mobile and more vocal. But I am very excited to see what happens as we welcome the toddler years a second time around.
