[MiriamRose]

Mine isn't even 1 yet, but this really helps...I think there has been some kind of subconscious expectation that after 1 he will suddenly not be a "baby" and will rapidly become much more independent and mature. Ha! I know he will grow fast and gain in independence and maturity, but this helps me be ready to take it as it comes instead of forcing it.

It's also an ah-ha moment for me as I'm starting to think about wanting to add another child to our family and what it will be like to have 2. I think part of me somehow thought Z needed to be "not a baby" before we have another. This really frees me from that and helps me to accept that it's ok to have another whenever it's really right for our family. I have to admit though that part of me is really scared of having 2 babies...one newborn and one bigger baby. Whether I will be able to handle it and not become an overwhelmed, depressed, not nice mommy, whether I will be able to love and nurse both babies and not lose my mind. I'm also afraid of Z weaning earlier than he might have otherwise.