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Show Trials and Tribulations of Motherhood by Mary Uae There's something about a dripping, gurgling newborn baby that enchants us all. Those tiny little hands and feet moving in constant activity and that little open mouth have an aura of mystery about them that fills a family of onlookers with awe. We almost resent all the time she spends sleeping in the daytime and just one small sound sends every member of the household to the side of the crib. One burp and everyone applauds. Everyone gathers around to watch the first bath and ooh and aah at proper intervals. There is a race to see who gets to pick her up each time she cries. The only chore not fought over is the diaper changing and mother still gets that one most of the time. Constant discussions go on as to who she resembles most and each relative wants to claim "my, he has big hands, he's going to be a big boy," even if the hands are the size of quarters. Babies who aren't really that pretty will draw comments like "look at those eyes, they are so blue" or "my, he's growing isn't he." Mothers suffer a little embarrassment em-barrassment when the little, darlings spit up on everyone who tips them into a vertical position and who has no predjudice as to who they leave with wet laps. Every minute of the day and most of the night are required to give new babies just the basic care and attention they need. One feeding and burping session, can last for an hour or longer,-and longer,-and in between there are diapers and other assorted wet laundry stacking up in every corner, formula preparation and a million other small details related to the new little bundle of I joy. You worry for fear they don't sleep enough and then you worry when they sleep too long. You worry for fear they don't eat enough and then you think they are crying because they are too full. And in between all this trauma and activity you have to take care of the rest of the family and all the books remind you that you must spend plenty of time with your toddler, if you have one, to keep jealousy from becoming a problem. So along with the job of motherhood comes the responsibility of being a full time nurse, expert organizer, activity coordinator, child psychologist, and somewhere in ther fits a husband who needs a little attention too. Somehow new mothers seem to be able to fit into all these jobs and new babies adjust to the busy surroundings filled with smiling faces.. .thank heaven. some credit for the little one's obvious beauty. There is also a big discussion on names, with some really wierd ones being bandied about. You have to I decide whether to name her after a favorite aunt (or uncle) who' never did like her name anyway but wouldn't be above sticking it on an innocent child; or pick out one of the new names no one can pronounce or spell. No matter what babies look like, people will say that little girls look all delicate and swejft and the boys look big and strong. They will make comments like, |