the second baby. so much of it seems easier this go around. in the same way that your body settled into pregnancy sooner, you are more prepared mentally and physically for the demands of caring for a human life. the rhythm of childhood already runs through your household. the feeling of loving another so deeply and so vulnerably has been a reality every day for a couple of years now. of giving your body and your mind and your spirit over entirely day after every single day. you are familiar with milestones and joys ahead and so the harder moments seem no less difficult but perhaps more fleeting because this time is short and will pass in the blink of an eye and though there may be no sleep and there may be more tantrums this go around there is an ever present knowledge that this season of life is short and so very sweet.