What Sister?

With CB only 17 months old, we really didn't know how he would react to having a new little baby around the house. It could go one of two ways - he wouldn't even realize that she's there, or he'd totally get jealous and start acting out like many of our friend's older kids taking in a new sibling.

Well, I guess he's more mature and in-tune with what's happening around the house than we realized, because his reaction was the latter.

When he first came to the hospital to visit me and Peanut, and even when we first brought the baby home, he would ignore whoever was holding her. This also made him a lot more snugly with other people in the family, so we all took advantage of it since it's so rare - even Nana.

It took a lot of coaxing to get him to come near Peanut. And even then it was a quick glance and a possible jab at her face and head before he'd run away.

"Quick. Run away. Before I get cooties!"

"Is this her eye?"

Going for the bow on Peanut's head

One of his favorite things to do at the hospital, was to push around the portable crib. Little did he know that he was giving his little sister a ride around the room. 

By the time Peanut got home, he slowly started to warm up to her. After reminding him often to be "gentle," his jabs to her head turned into gentle poking. And we'd often find him sharing random objects with her from around the house (including a few of the dish towels).

CB sharing a block with his little sis

Sharing a sunglasses case (a girl can't leave home without them)

Getting the settings on the bouncer "just right" for Peanut

By the end of week one, he finally warmed up enough to give her a kiss - even though it was the most tentative, skeptical kiss I've ever seen from our little man.

First kiss attempt turned into a nose rub.

As for his behavior... well, he's definitely been a bit more challenging. Every rule, every boundary has been pushed to the limit as our little man tested us to see if we were watching him. 

This has just lead us to love him that much more, be more purposeful with our time with him and continue to be consistent with our rules, not giving into the tantrums. Easier said than done when our time and attention is divided in two. But it makes me even more thankful that while on maternity leave, both Hubby and I will be around the house to juggle everything together.Two on two is definitely easier.

For example, while I'm feeding Peanut, the boys play together. Or while I'm putting CB to bed or giving him a bath, Hubby is changing a newborn diaper or cleaning up the house.

Hubby and CB being silly in the closet.

From now on it's definitely going to be a team effort. Let's just hope that CB warms up quickly to the idea of a little sister, so that he can become part of the team. It would definitely make things a lot easier.