Ready or Not

I find it unbelievable how unprepared I am to be a mother. Not unprepared in the material sense, although that is certainly the case. There still remains many essential items to be purchased, as well as cribs and strollers to be assembled. I am also not overly concerned with my physical unpreparedness – that is, my weak arms and legs and lack of endurance. I have been repeatedly assured that my energy and muscle strength will quickly return. I am confident in the human body’s ability to adapt to all sorts of new circumstances, such as sleep-deprivation and mind-numbing crying jags.

What I am dreading is my complete incompetence in all matters baby-related. I had a week-long crash course in newborn care when I helped my sister-in-law with her twins last fall, but Julie really didn’t need much assistance besides an extra set of hands. I am still very much a novice when it comes to dressing/changing/feeding/soothing an infant, let alone two infants at once. How do I even hold two at once? How am I supposed to know when they’re hungry vs. angry vs. fussy vs. sleepy? Fortunately, I’ll have my mother-in-law nearby, and my mom will fly out as soon as I deliver, so I’ll be able to tap into their experience. But there will soon come a time when Jim and I will be facing two squalling, squirming, squealing girls…what a thrilling, and terrifying, thought!