The Irish Homecoming - A letter to darling Sadie: the second child can be taken for granted by stressed out parents

April Drew realizes that the second child is a different experience from the first

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April Drew with daughter Sadie

Photo by April Drew

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The time has just flown by. I can use the big relocation back to Ireland last May (Sadie was three months) as an excuse and being busy with work upon our return but they are just that, excuses. 

Sadie and Colum are like chalk and cheese when it comes to their personalities.  Colum is bubbly, boisterous, chatty and lively.  Sadie is calm and takes everything in. They compliment each other. 

I’m not sure if it’s just their personalities, the fact that one is a boy and one is a girl or that John and I probably gave Colum too much attention (he was the first) that they are so different. The only thing similar about Colum and Sadie is their little faces. They are the spitting image of each other.  

I guess with our first it was the novelty of everything he did for the first time, and like any novelty the excitement wears off I suppose.

I have pictures and videos of Colum’s first spoon feed, his first smile (or one of his first), the first time he wore certain clothes, the first time he used his bouncer and his first day at day care. 

I have none of the above for Sadie. I’m sure she will wonder why when she is older. 

So to you my daughter Sadie I dedicate this column. I’m sure someday when you’re much older you will read this. 

But today I make a promise to give you more attention away from your very active big brother. I promise to take a lot more pictures of your every smiling face, your funny laugh and the next time you roll over on the floor. 

I’ll also try to capture your cheeky brother as he climbs on top of you to smother you with kisses and play horsey, something you love. Your daddy and I panic a little as Colum jumps up and down on you but you’re not bothered. I’ve no doubt you’ll seek revenge when you’re good and able. 

You’re everyone’s favorite, Sadie. You never, and I mean never, cry for anything other than food. And even then you give a little quibble that may eventually turn into a soft cry if we don’t deliver your food in reasonable time. 

You smile at everyone and everything. You never make strange with anyone. They tell me at day care that all the staff visit your baby room at least once in the day for a “Sadie cuddle.” 

You love giving cuddles, especially to your daddy.   You’ve recently begun teething and find relief in sucking our faces. It’s very funny and sloppy. 

You adore your brother more than anyone else. We don’t get a look in. He spends hours every day trying to make you laugh and it works a treat. You take great comfort in knowing he is nearby and sometimes when he is out of sight you make a fussy sound until he returns. 

He in turn takes great care of you. He cleans your face when you spit up, he gives you a bottle when you’re hungry and tucks you up in a blanket when he thinks you might need it. 

He also, on occasion, does things that you’re not yet ready for like shoving a piece of apple into your mouth because he thinks you’re hungry, or lifting you off the couch to carry you around in his arms (we rescued you a few times from this.) 

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