Comfort Zone

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you. You will be comforted in Jerusalem. (Isaiah 66:13)

This past weekend was another busy one for Naomi... it truly is the mark of summertime. Her cousin Bella came to visit again and on both Friday and Monday, all the moms and kids hung out in Pinole while the dads played golf. It seems that when other babies are around, Mimi is fussier than normal. All of their temperaments might tend to rub off on each other. Sometimes when one cries, another follows suit. There were many times when Cathy, Leia and I were all nursing in the backroom, but I don't remember a time though when all three of them were sleeping at once. Go figure.

On Saturday, we took Naomi to San Francisco's Noe Valley. We've been using a sling every now and then and this was the first time that I attempted to feed the baby while wearing the sling.. and then walking down the street. Talk about multi-tasking! Both she and I weren't comfortable at first, but once she realized that she wasn't gonna have any lunch if she didn't cooperate, she calmed down and did her thing. I also "sported" her in the sling to a graduation party for my girlfriend Crystal and although there was a slight breeze outside, she was as "snug as a bug in a rug" :) Other guests were commenting on how cool the sling is (made by Eddie Bauer). Mimi looked like she was wrapped in a little cocoon. (Wish I took pics, darnit!) I let someone else hold her in the sling while I gathered a plate of food together, but somehow it wasn't the same and she started crying... I guess she wasn't in "the zone". Eventually when she was back across my chest, she fell asleep in it. It's nice how those things mimic the womb.

From Comfort Zone

Then on Sunday, Naomi went to church for the first time. Her cousin Weslee was getting baptized at St. Patrick's in Rodeo. It was also the first time that she wore a bow :) I dressed her in pink from head-to-toe and she looked so precious! We arrived 15 minutes before the mass began and she was wide awake and ready to "meet & greet". By the time the service began, she had fallen asleep. Like most babies, Naomi knows how to "shut down" when her environment gets too stimulating. The more noisy the better she sleeps. She slept in her carrier and we placed her next to our table at the restaurant. When she finally woke up, she quietly "people-watched" for a while. Compassionate baby that she is: Mimi didn't start fussing until Richie and I were just about through eating our lunch. After I fed her, it was time for her to enjoy the festivities.

It's funny how magnetic a tiny baby can be. When I see a baby, I always have the urge to hold him/her. This is no exception when it comes to our family. Richie was holding the baby and his brother Craig came over to carry her now that she was awake and well-fed. We were seated in the "kids' room" and Craig took her over to the next room where the majority of guests were. Richie and I made a bet that it wouldn't take long before someone else was holding her and wanted to count how many arms held her before we took her back (we already knew how unlikely it would be that someone would actually return her to her parents... imagine that!) Sure enough, within half an hour, she was passed along four times (that I saw) before Richie scooped her up. During that time, I let my urges take over... if I couldn't hold my own baby, I could surely hold my niece Meleia instead :)

After more picture taking (including the one above with most of the kids: see little Mimi in the bottom corner), we eventually ended up at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Once again, the babies were being passed around. I noticed that everyone has their own way of handling the babies... different holds, some swaying back and forth, others bouncing up and down. There were a few times when Naomi would eventually start crying when someone else was holding her. They would ask if she's hungry or wet or uncomfortable. The second she lands in my arms, if she wasn't any of the above, she would relax and chill out. One auntie who was holding her when she began fussing thought that she was too young to know the difference, but I beg to differ.

Different babies like different things, but all babies love one thing in common: their mothers :) A crying baby will almost always calm down when he or she is comforted by their mommy - at least mine does. If Naomi is in the "Comfort Zone" where she's dry, fed and content, she can be passed from person to person without issue. But once she's out of that zone, she knows what she wants and it's usually Mommy that can take care of her needs most quickly. Being her mother, it's such a wonderful feeling knowing that she depends on me for so much. Sure, one day, she'll be off on her own, but for now, it's nice to know that she loves me just as much as I love her :)