One of the bigger benefits I see to having Little Miss is that there will be another little person in the house to keep Little Mister company. I enjoy playing with him and I know he enjoys playing with me, too (mostly as evidenced by the way he refuses to go down for naps at home, even when he's exhausted; there's just too much to do). But really, I lack the imagination and the energy to keep up with him sometimes, and I'm sure another kiddo will be a far more suitable playmate. Even if it is a girl. :)This leads to my biggest fear about the idea of having Little Miss. Aside from the obvious front-running fears, like ensuring that she has ten fingers and ten toes, and never getting a good night's sleep ever again, and having this labour drag on even longer than the last, I worry about the first several months of Little Miss's life and what effect it will have on Liam: that time when everyone tries to convince him of how much fun it is to be a brother when all the while, all she does is cry and poop, keeping us tied up with her and leaving him neglected.
Even assuming that we are not doomed to have a high-maintenance baby this time around (something I feel is bound to happen, because Liam was just so good and surely the universe needs some balance), by comparison to him she will really just be a vegetable for the first six months, unable to give chase or kick a ball back or follow his instructions when he is busy bossing her around (and if he already likes to tell Chad and I where to sit to eat our dinner, surely she will soon take the brunt of his bossing behaviour).
Siblings are definitely a benefit, at least in the long term, and I will be able to stay mindful of the fact that no matter how hellish the first year may be on him, all the years after that will be better for it. Unfortunately, I don't think Liam has the understanding of time and relativity that would allow him to concur. I can only hope that because he's so young, he doesn't remember being an only for very long.
4 comments:
My best advice is to make Liam a special basket of goodies, small trinkets, maybe some special snacks, dollar store junk or special toys that just go into the basket. Use the basket when you NEED alone time with the baby, feedings, rockings, an anticipated messy diaper change. Allow him to pick one item out of the basket right before the "alone time with Little Miss". It worked well with Noah, just be sure to keep that basket well stocked. It should hold his attention just long enough for you to attack the task at hand and keep him happy with his new goody!
He is also at a nice age to ask him for basic assistance. Retrieve a lost pacifier, get a new diaper, toss the soiled one in the trash.......allowing him to help will also make him feel involved and not ignored!
When Audrey came along she brought Evelyn a special toy which made her(Audrey) seem like a cool thing. Not to worry though, By the end of the first month now of you will be able to imaginge life without her, Liam included.
When Jason was born a nurse said to me that the best thing about Sydney still being so young is that in three months she will not even remember a time when she was the only child.
Sydney definitely had an adjustment period, but I don't think she has regretted for a moment the day that Jason came home.
I actually picked up a little book the other day with that very idea in mind - tucking it away until Liam needs some distraction. Chad found it and was like, you're doing WHAT with it? - I think the challenge will be in holding off on giving him this stuff for another couple of months.
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