Before you have children you think you know how you want to raise your child. You are, of course, an expert in the proper way to discipline, and you have opinions (which are totally based on real things, and not just your "feelings") on everything from co-sleeping to vaccinating to whether or not you will bottle or breast feed. Then you actually have a child and you work very hard to keep in line with all your preconceived notions. You establish good sleep habits and are never, ever out of the house during nap time. You So then you think its time to have a second child, and you will know exactly what to do because you've done it all before, right? Wrong. Here are the Top Ten things I've learned about having a second child:
Take everything that worked with your first child (discipline techniques, sleep techniques, eating habits...) and throw it out the window. You will be starting from scratch all over again.
All those pre-conceived notions you made before you had your first child? Throw those out the window, too. Suddenly formula is the only way to go, baby won't touch your organic homemade with love baby food with a 10 food pole, and co-sleeping the best thing ever.
Those cute little matching outfits you had for #1, with the matching socks and bow and burp cloth are just way too much work now. Zip up sleepers are totally the way to go. Besides, even if your older daughter hasn't commandeered all those things for her baby doll you might never be able to find all the pieces at the same time.
Listen to your baby, not "the right way to do it". For instance, if your baby still wants to be swaddled at 8 months (seriously, crazy child) or INSISTS that she is ready for solids at 5 months instead of waiting for 6 months like you should. Do feels right for your family.
Don't make things harder for yourself. Always make things the easiest, calmest, peaceful and most loving way you can. Your entire family will thank you.
You will have no idea how you can be so tired and still function so well. Thank you coffee gods.
Spending quality one-on-one time with each child is hard. Especially the older child because by the time you get baby to sleep you just want to veg out and play candy crush for 5 minutes by yourself. But you really should get down on the floor and play dinosaurs instead. It will be worth it!
It is so sweet watching your children interact with each other, the way they can sooth each other, make each other laugh, and teach each other. Its a beautiful sight.
Enjoy each moment, they go by even faster the second time around.
It is amazing how you can love two tiny beings so much.
What I love about this dish is that it is quick enough for a weeknight (30 minutes of hands on work) but fancy and delicious enough for company and special occasions. And it really is delicious - like lick your plate and fight over leftovers delicious. I have made this several times and love it even more each time I make it! Its a perfect spring or summer dish
Pork Tenderloin with Orange Gremolata (Cooking Light, March 2014)
2 TBSP flour
1 pound pork tenderloin, trimmed of fat and cut into 12 slices
3/4 tsp kosher salt, divided
4 tsp olive oil, divided
zest from 1 orange
juice from 2 oranges
1/3 cup water
2 TBSP orange marmalade
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp pepper
2 TBSP finely chopped flat leaf parsley
1/2 tsp minced fresh garlic
In a small bowl combine the parsley, garlic, and 1 tsp orange zest. Set aside.
Heat a large non stick skillet over medium-high heat.
Place flour in a shallow dish.
Sprinkle pork medallions with 1/2 tsp salt and dredge in flour.
Add 2 tsp oil to pan and swirl to coat.
Add 6 pork slices to the pan (don't try to crowd your pan and cook it all at once!) and cook 2 minutes per side, or until done.
Place the cooked pork on a platter and keep warm while you cook remaining slices.
Once all the pork is cooked, place the orange juice, 1/3 cups water, marmalade, and vinegar to pan.
Scrape the pan to loosen the brown bits stuck to the bottom.
Bring to a boil and cook 3 minutes, or until the liquid is reduced to about 1/2 cup.
Stir in the remaining 1/4 tsp salt and pepper.
Plate the pork, spoon the sauce on top and sprinkle with the orange zest mixture.
For Orzo Pasta: (slightly adapted from Cooking Light)
1 cup orzo pasta
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp butter
2 tsp olive oil
1 tsp orange juice
1 tsp orange zest
2 sliced green onions
2 ounces dried cranberries
salt and pepper to taste
While the pork is cooking, cook the orzo pasta according to package directions.
When the pasta is done, drain and keep pasta in the colander.
In the same pan you cooked the pasta in, melt the butter and sauté the garlic for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
Add the pasta back in and toss in the remaining ingredients.
Mix well to coat.