A few months ago a group of us went to a place called the Farm, where they have goats and other animals for kids to check out. While we were there we saw the brand new baby goats that had just been born the night before. They were so cute and so little. We were just ooohing and aaaahing at them and then I got annoyed. I turned to my friend and commented, How unfair is it that baby goats can WALK after one day? They were born last night and they can already walk? What is that about? She agreed that it was completely biologically unfair. Not only can they walk, but mama goat doean’t have to rock them to sleep or burp them…they just do those things. As I continue to struggle through these newborn days it’s things like this that I contemplate. I mean we’re the advanced species here right? So shouldn’t we be born knowing how to sleep? Doesn’t it make more sense that we should be walking right away? Of course someone pointed out that perhaps if we want to be pregnant for 2 years like elephants, than maybe our young could do these things. Well I know some people hate being pregnant and the thought of being pregnant for 2 years is akin to the lower levels of hell. However, I can do pregnancy. Even a crazy pregnancy like Lamps. I would gladly give birth to an 18 month old (who could walk and sleep the same day he/she was born) even if it meant a 24 month gestation.
So what about you? Would you take the long pregnancy and skip the newborn stuff, or would you rather have a regular pregnancy and do the whole newborn thing? Just curious….
(And by the way the nap issue has been getting better, but this was written a few days ago.)
Ugh. The idea of being pregnant for 18 months is very unwelcome. . . Just think how large with child you'd be! And all the things that go with having a larger baby — your body would just fall apart! Literally!
So I guess I'd pick the normal way of doing things, even though it can be extra crazy. After all, just think of all the patience and love you're learning! I used to think I was patient, . . . and then I had a newborn, . . . and then I had another one, and another one, and you get the idea. 🙂
I am in the minority, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE the newborn phase. However, I am kind of a hippie and nurse at will. None of my kids slept through the night until they were 2 but newborns are so easy compared to "get into everything" toddlers.
Long pregnancy. ALL. THE.WAY.
I'll take 50 newborns over another pregnancy. Ugh, I get sick just thinking about it.
If only children could be bartered…can I trade my naughty three year old for your newborn?
Danen heard about women who are addicted to having babies on NPR one day and diagnosed me with the condition. The only problem is, they don't stay innocent babies for long.
Just hand Lamp over already and I'll give her back in about 10 months!
walking newborns sound great to me! except animals don't really need to bond all that much with their kids because they all go off on their own really quickly. but humans need each other forever, and i think that dependence right at the beginning helps us to love our babies and become devoted to them enough to stick it out for life. plus all the snuggling makes the hard times easier!
I'm with you and Molly – LONG pregnancy please 🙂
Lyndal.
As hard as the newborn phase is, I'd still take it. The thought of being pregnant for one for minute longer than 40 weeks(and I've only ever gone to 38) makes me want to run for the hills! 😉
A newborn is A LOT of work, but I would go back to those days in a heart beat. That first year, to me, was my favorite. And I often thought to myself that God makes newborns grow up quickly so we will want more.
But then I can say this because my youngest is 24. Real easy for me to say now, huh? You are in the throes of continual interrupted sleep! 🙂
My choice would be: pregnant for 9 months, give birth to an 8lb baby that grows much faster… still get to enjoy the teeny-phase, but it only lasts for about a week.. then they sit up… then a week later they crawl, etc!
Well I'm glad to know I'm not the only person who would choose a longer pregnancy.
I do agree with a lot of you about the preciousness of newborns and just how special they are….but that lasts about a couple weeks before I go into bonkersville.
you probably already know my answer- I feel like a big complainer when I'm pregnant and even when I have an easy pregnancy I'd rather have a newborn than be pregnant! But, like Janice said, I nurse at will and don't even think about a schedule until the baby is 3 months old, which would probably bug a lot of other moms so it's interesting how everyone is so different 🙂
Made me think of you: http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/20/becoming-a-family-of-four/?partner=rss&emc=rss
I haven't read the article yet… just the headline so far 🙂
No way….I would never want to miss each achievement! After 11 month Oliver finally slept through the night…pretty much nursing all night long before that so I KNOW how hard it is. But I wouldn't trade it…it brings me joy to see him learn how to sit, crawl, stand and walk.
Don't know if you will read this comment anymore. But I have thought about this question in the past. If it helps at all–the fundamental difference between humans and other mammals, particularly when it comes to pregnancy and birth, is that we are bipeds with small pelvises and big old brains and they are quadripeds with huge pelvises and tiny brains. So, their babies can stay in and develop longer, and they also come out more easily. But they can never match our mental potential (and sometimes not our physical potential, either).
Anyway. Probably not the response you wanted, but I like to ask myself the question whether I would rather be a human or have a tiny brain and walk on four legs. And my answer is always–a human, but why can't we just have pelvises that expand more? Which of course is just another question, not really an answer.
By the way. Your sweet Lamp is absolutely beautiful. Will another "hang in there" help? I loved what you said about when you're struggling, think how many other mothers are going through the same thing. And of course with the help of the Atonement too, when things are really hard.