Loving Two

I walk along holding your 2-year-old hand,

basking in the glow of our magical

relationship. Suddenly I feel a kick from

within, as if to remind me that our time

alone is limited. And I wonder: how could I

ever love another child as I love you?

Then he is born, and I watch you. I watch

the pain you feel at having to share me as

you’ve never shared me before.

I hear you telling me in your own way,

“Please love only me”. And I hear myself

telling you in mine, “I can’t”, knowing, in

fact, that I never can again.

You cry. I cry with you. I almost see our

new baby as an intruder on the precious

relationship we once shared. A relationship

we can never quite have again.

But then, barely noticing, I find myself

attached to that new being, and feeling

almost guilty. I’m afraid to let you see me

enjoying him—as though I am betraying you.

But then I notice your resentment change,

first to curiosity, then to protectiveness,

finally to genuine affection.

More days pass, and we are settling into a

new routine. The memory of days with just

the two of us is fading fast.

But something else is replacing those

wonderful times we shared, just we two.

There are new times – only now, we are

three. I watch the love between you grow,

the way you look at each other, touch each

other.

I watch how he adores you — as I have for so

long. I see how excited you are by each of

his new accomplishments. And I begin to

realize that I haven’t taken something from

you, I’ve given something to you. I notice

that I am no longer afraid to share my love

openly with both of you.

I find that my love for each of you is as

different as you are, but equally strong.

And my question is finally answered, to my

amazement. Yes, I can love another child as

much as I love you—only differently.

And although I realize that you may have to

share my time, I now know you’ll never share

my love. There’s enough of that for both of

you – you each have your own supply.

I love you—-both. And I thank you both for

blessing my life. —Author Unknown

I found this piece which I thought was beautiful. I amy not have a two year old toddler but I have a two year old doggie which I am conscious about when our little one finally arrives :(