I was just sitting and reading the paper online when I heard little Jemma cough in the other room. Could it be that for about an hour I forgot I even had an infant daughter? How different it is to have a second child! I cannot remember ever having a moment to think of myself almost three years ago when I was a new first-time mom.

But what has come back intensely are the feelings that come over me when I hold my baby, and having the emotion of deep love soak into my every cell as I look at my baby’s face. It still happens now, with Chiara, who is growing more and more beautiful and charming every single day. And it happens with Jemma, who is sweetness personified.

So, even though today was a terrible, strained and strenuous day. Even though Chiara overturned her dinner on the floor and then told me she was still hungry. Even though Jemma woke up, at the tender age of six weeks, with congestion and a wracking sneeze that frightened and saddened me (but miraculously seemed fine by the afternoon). Even though I had to fill out form after form today for my maternity leave that began with me stating the nature of my disability was pregnancy. At 10:30 pm tonight, or whenever it is right now, I feel grateful to have these two beautiful babies in my life. I’m so full of curiosity and hope for them and their shiny futures. I wish I had a crystal ball; but I know that it’s better to have life unfold on its own time. I’ll try to savor all of it and not be undone by the small things. Like almost everything that happened today!

Now I think I’ll go check on Chiara maybe even lie down next to her for a minute. She’s grown so big. Time is so elastic.