BIG BRO

I was an emotional wreck during the days leading up to AA's birth. On one hand, I was filled with great joy and anticipation over the upcoming arrival of our daughter ... but I was also filled with great sadness. Until then, my life was consumed with JP. He always had my undivided attention, and everything we did and everywhere we went revolved around him. It saddened me to think that he'd never be the only child again. Maybe these feelings stemmed from being the firstborn myself ... or perhaps every mom of two can relate.

Thankfully, JP has adjusted beautifully to his new role as a big brother. From his first glimpse of AA, JP was absolutely fascinated by the new addition. He wakes in the morning asking "Addie, Addie?" and is obsessed with her crib, car seat, and swing. He is the first to tell me that she has "drool, drool" (normally only a speck will prompt this ... despite his own drool saturated shirts daily!) and he helps me change her diaper. He pats her back and patiently waits for her to burp. JP is normally pretty gentle with AA ... but he still needs 100% supervision around her. He loves to point out all of her body parts (but often underestimates the strength of his hands when pressing on her belly or poking her eyes ... hence the reason for the needed supervision). JP has his own little language for AA ... it's the cutest high pitched voice you could imagine. I guess he's observed A and I using our higher pitched baby talk voices.

As far as I can tell, JP doesn't seem to be jealous of AA ... yet! He seems clueless when I sit beside him and nurse her (I'm just waiting for those questions to begin!). He doesn't seem to mind that he doesn't always have my full attention. I'm still adjusting to trying to split my time relatively equally between the two when they are both awake ... and I'm guessing this will be a never-ending goal.

I do anticipate some difficulty when AA starts joining him at Miss Emmy's when I return to work. JP continues to go to Miss Emmy's a few short days each week. He loves his little buddies over there, and I think this arrangement has benefited all of us on my maternity leave. Last week, I brought AA inside to see Miss Emmy and we stayed for a short time. JP was not happy at all to have her there ... he pulled her car seat to the door and wanted "mamma car, please!".

JP is a spirited little boy ... always full of emotion. His smile is still contagious. Best of all, he makes me a proud mamma when I witness his interactions with his new little sister.