Baby Sister

Waiting nine months for a baby is a long time for everyone and even more so for a 3 year old.  Jacob seemed to understand that there was a baby in my belly from early on, but it must have felt like forever!    We talked A LOT over those 9 months about mommy going to the hospital, that he would stay with his grandparents, and we would bring home a baby.  Then we talked a lot to make sure that he knew that his new baby sister would be here to stay and she would be part of our family.  The night before, we had another long talk as he was falling asleep.  I knew that life was about to change.  Very surreal.  I keep using that word.  Surreal.  I worried a lot about how he would adjust.  Jacob is a mama's boy and always has been.  He feels all of his emotions intensely and struggles with patience....don't we all?   A part of me was sad for him.  Sharing us was not going to be easy.  But a larger part of me was thrilled for me.  Siblings are a huge blessing and I couldn't wait to give him such a loving gift.  Because he feels all of his emotions so intensely, I knew that his love for her would be the same.  Intense.  And I was right.

After she was born, I couldn't wait to see Jacob!  It was all I was thinking about.  My parents waited...and waited...and waited at the hospital for 6 hours for the birth and for me to get into a postpartum room before they could meet her.  Then, they left to go pick up Jacob and bring him back to the hospital to meet Anna.  By the time they got back, we had both of my in laws and Jared's grandparents in the room with us. He was clearly overwhelmed when he walked in to a room full of people. He didn't seem overwhelmed and I just asked everyone to let him be.  I knew he would come over when he was ready.  Everyone just visited and chatted for awhile.  I caught his eye at one point and asked if he was ready to meet his baby sister.  He said yes and Jared brought him over.  He looked down and I will never forget the genuine smile on his face the first time he laid eyes on his new little best friend.  

He fell just as hard for her as we did.  He doted on her, touching and kissing her face.  My mama heart melted into a puddle.  The nurse was amazed at how quickly and sweetly he took to her.  She gave him some big brother stickers.  He immediately asked to hold her, and tried to share his transformer toys and stickers with her. 

And he hasn't stopped doting on her.  He truly understands that she has needs.  He doesn't resent her, he's rarely angry at me for needing to care for her.  He has been sad a few times.  The first few weeks alone was hard because she had to nurse so often and he wanted me to play with him.  His love language is quality time....and it's hard to spend time with your 3 year old playing with his hotwheels with a baby nursing.  We made it work though.  Lots of hours spent with him standing beside my chair, running cars on our boppy nursing pillow while baby sister nursed.  He continues to amaze me.  I adore him. And I am so proud of his love for her.  She already watches him so intently.

I'm pretty sure that watching them grow together will be one of the greatest joys of my life.