When Jack was born, it took about 48 hours after coming home from the hospital before he earned the nickname “Monster.” We thought we had the loudest, fussiest baby and couldn’t imagine that any other babies were as difficult to manage as ours was. Although the nickname was lovingly bestowed, it has managed to stick since then. Now, however, “Monster” is more of a term of endearment than a label of the type of behavior exhibited by our little boy.
Almost two years later, Jane has also earned herself a nickname shortly after arriving home. So far, “Little Mouse” is content to sit in the bouncer or pack and play and make quiet squeaking noises. She has been known to exercise her lungs, but thankfully, so far, it’s been sparingly and mostly during daylight hours.
Steve and I, in a rare quiet moment the other night, found ourselves wondering just how honestly these nicknames were earned. Was it really that at 2 weeks old, Jack was unconsolably fussy and monstrously loud and Jane easygoing and subdued? Or have we, as parents, just gotten better at caring for a newborn and anticipating their needs? I’d tell you what the conclusion to that discussion was, but we fell asleep before we decided.
