Meet Frances
Friends. It’s been awhile. But baby Frances is here so there hasn’t been much free time to sit down and write. She’s here, she’s here! After what felt like a verrrry long pregnancy, Frances arrived one day before her due date at a little before 9 am on a cold but unusually sunny late January morning. Those of you who have been readers for awhile may remember that our son Oliver was born completely bald and remained that way for almost two years (!) but sweet Frances has a full head of hair, a hefty appetite, and loves to rock n’ roll from around 8 pm until at least midnight.
In my case, it was true what they say about second labors: it was quicker and my physical recovery has been much easier. Of course, both Sam and I are adjusting to the sleep deprivation, which feels particularly real this time around as we also have an Oliver who demands so much time and attention. We were all blessed (insert immense sarcasm here) with an unusual snowstorm last week which closed down schools and roads and, well, I’ll just never forget the period of being completely cooped up inside the house with a newborn and a toddler for what felt like an eternity. Sam kept telling me I’d look back on those days with such fondness as I was anxiously checking the weather forecast; I kept telling him I wasn’t so sure. It felt like a lot to manage. But! We seem to be on the other side: the snow’s melting, school’s starting up on Wednesday and we’re all finding a groove together. 
Oliver is truly wonderful with Frances. We’ve heard stories from friends about their older kids acting out or being aggressive with the new baby, and that hasn’t been the case at all for us. Oliver is really loving and wants to help when he can. He can’t wait to say good morning to his baby sister, and keeps a hand on her while she’s on the changing table if I need to step away and wash my hands. He’s also started to tell me what she needs when she’s crying as if he’s a seasoned father, which I’m finding endlessly endearing.
I haven’t had a chance to write down Frances’ birth story or begin to fill in her baby book. Soon, I hope. Frances will be a month old this Thursday, and my biggest challenge and greatest goal this time around is to not look to the future with her — to not think, Oh I can’t wait until she’s three months old and sleep will even out. Or, I can’t wait until she can smile and laugh and interact more with us. We are sure that this is our last child, my last baby – the last time I get those tiny nighttime naps on my chest and sweet milky breath. The last time we’ll marvel and talk about what kind of baked good her head smells like (I vote a blueberry muffin); the last time we’ll walk around at all hours of the night, room lit with our battery powered candles, moving through the Now that will soon become a distant memory.
So in addition to making Frances curtains for her room and organizing and printing our family photos during my maternity leave, I want to try my hardest not to dream about easier times in the future. Being in the thick of newborn parenting is hard. But there’s a lot of sweetness, too, and in everyone’s case it’s a fleeting sweetness; in our case, it’s a fleeting sweetness that we know we won’t experience again. So while I’m inclined to rush through the laundry, renew our car insurance, and sweep the kitchen during the downtime I have throughout the day, I’m trying to remind myself of the importance of sitting and breathing in Frances. Now is the only time.
Welcome to A Sweet Spoonful, my blog devoted to seasonal cooking, whole grain baking, and casual gatherings in our Pacific Northwest home. My name is Megan Gordon and I'm so glad you're here.
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Diane
Oh my gosh - this is such a beautiful and poignant post Megan! Do enjoy Frances and all that newborn parenting brings. xx
Kathleen
Welcome to the world, Baby Frances! Megan, she is so sweet! I love her portrait! Congrats to all of you! <3 K
Susan
WHAT a BEAUTY!! Thank you for those gorgeous pictures.
Mary
Welcome, Frances - beautiful! BIG congrats to Oliver, you + Sam! XO
Anne
How beautiful Megan! Congratulations and what stunning photos!
Sleep is in your future:)
Beryl Alexander
What a beautiful piece of writing. A daughter is a treasure, totally different to a son. You are so right to savior this precious time, it goes by so quickly. Congratulations to all 4 of you!
Carole
Congratulations! You have two beautiful children and I applaud you for your positive realism.
Debra
Megan.. I can't get over how much you look like your mom on the photo of you and your two kiddos! I'm so impressed and in "awe of you"... giving birth,havng a toddler, surviving a snowstorm, and writing an amazing post of your life in the past almost month! You've always been a "shoot for the sky" person
Best wishes and love, your sixth grade teacher, Debby McIntosh(Newby)
Adriana
Blessings to your beautiful family, you are so right, enjoy this moment. You made me go back to when my son was born and my daighter was two. I can’t believe it’s been 18 years!
Lori
Dear Megan,
She is beautiful as is Oliver. You are so smart to just be in this moment because you are correct, it won't last long.
When did Oliver get so big!
Lori
Cristina
Dear Megan, thanks for sharing these precious moments with baby Frances! How lovely to read about Oliver being such a doting and responsible big brother :-) A big hug from Italy, where your lovely cookbook is always on rotation
Lynne
Congratulations! Such a gorgeous baby girl. Bless you all.
Sarah
So many congratulations! This is such a beautiful perspective. First time around I didn't realise how fleeting it was, now hoping for a second and the chance to drink it all in again.x
Ashley
She is so precious. I love this. We just had our third and I think it will be our last as well. I have been so different with him. I just want to stay little and delicious for as long as possible. I love snuggling him and all the things he does as a tiny boy. I can totally understand how you’re feeling.
megang
Thank you, Diane! Always a treat to see your name here. We're hanging in there - wishing for a little more sleep, but ... to be expected, I suppose :)
megang
Awww, thank you Adriana. I know: time flies! I feel like my son was just a baby and now he's negotiating with me at dinner about how many pieces of broccoli he'll eat :)
megang
Hi, Ashley! Congratulations on your third! Boys are the best :) And thank you for the sweet comment. Hope you're all setting in well!
megang
Thank you so much, Lynne!
Leela
Amazing— all of it !!!
megang
xoxo!!
Cassidy
Congratulations!! So happy for your little family!
megang
Thank you, Cassidy!
megang
Mrs. Newby! What a treat to see your name here - absolutely made my day. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I do look like my mom - it's true! Yes, having a baby and a toddler (especially during the snowstorm) has proven to be a bit challenging but thankfully I have a superstar Dad as a partner - I'm really not sure how single parents do it! Sleep hasn't been abundant, so that's our biggest challenge but hoping that'll even out eventually. I suppose it always does eventually :) Thank you again for taking the time to comment. Means so much! xoxo
megang
Thank you so much, Kathleen! xoxox
megang
Hi, Lori! Always nice to see your name here. Thank you so much. I know: all of a sudden Oliver looks 8 to me!!
megang
Oh too nice, Susan. Thank you so much :)
megang
Awww, thanks you Cristina. That's so sweet of you to say. Happy to hear my cookbook's in rotation in a kitchen in my very favorite country.
megang
Thank you, Mary! xoxox
megang
Thank you so much, Anne. I hope you're right (about the sleep)!!
megang
I agree, Sarah. First time around I didn't realize it either ... and it really does change so quickly. I'm happy to have that perspective now - as well as the perspective that nothing stays the same (always a good reminder on those sleepless nights). xo
megang
Oh thank you, Beryl. So nice of you to say :)
megang
Thank you, Carole!!!
Beth Cole
Congratulations!! She is so cute. Love hearing how Oliver is pitching in!