The Easy Babies

Lately I am struck by the comparisons people make between my two kids.

"Oh, Nate seems so happy! Luke wasn't like this, was he?"
"Oh, look how curious Nate is! Luke was much more of a chill baby!"
"You finally have your easy baby!"

I know they are well meant compliments to Nate, but for some reason I always feel a bit defensive of Luke. Perhaps we always idealize our first child? But the whole concept's got me thinking. Here's how Nate is "easier":

1. Nate naps in his crib twice a day without any problems. Luke had to be in the swing or driven around. Every. Single. Time.

2. Nate has no attachment or lovey (well, except for his mom)- Luke loved that pacifier!

3. Nate has no food sensitivities; Luke was called "Puke Altenberg" until just last year, yakking up anything with fructose or sugar.

But here's how Luke was "easier":

1. Luke was sleeping all the way through the night- 7 to 7- by the time he was 4 months old. Nate is still waking up once, usually around 4 a.m.

2. Luke took a bottle and the occasional formula eagerly; Nate won't touch either.

3. Luke went to ANYONE, and always with a huge smile. Natey is a mama's boy 100%.

4. Luke waited til he was about 9 months to crawl, and he was very cautious. Nate crawled at 6 months and is a daredevil of Evel Knevel proportions.

In general, the boys are extremely similar in their dispositions. They are both usually happy and each has a funny little sense of humor. They both seem easy to me, and I am incredibly blessed that this has been the case. If it seems different to folks out there, I chalk it up to the refined parenting the second time around. I am not the same slave to the schedule I once was (although I still think routine is important!). I am not worried about every little cough or sniffle. I get out of the house more, with the kids and without them. I am not obsessing over the inevitable return to work (but only because I won't be going back for some time still). And mostly, I am cherishing every single moment, because I know that even a bad day goes by too quickly.