tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3180886024251289372.post7288927796703838178..comments2023-05-07T04:59:10.504-07:00Comments on Parent to Parent: Getting your first child ready for a siblinganniemetcalfehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02336179118362029433noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3180886024251289372.post-19938336333290012942011-03-07T09:43:35.204-08:002011-03-07T09:43:35.204-08:00Sounds like you've done it all! Just try not t...Sounds like you've done it all! Just try not to stress. Halle was already 4 when Kiah was born, so it wasn't as big a deal. She kinda had her own life already. Playdates, swim class, and she started Kindergarten a few months after Kiah arrived. I had a "I'm a big sister" shirt for Halle from Kiah waiting at the hospital for her. And she loved holding Kiah. The best part is that babies naturally LOVE their older siblings. As soon as Kiah was able, Halle could make her laugh and smile like no one else could. It's really a special bond that they have!--Now they fight like cats and dogs, but it was sweet when Kiah was a baby! LOLAmyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17613228075582543060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3180886024251289372.post-66898283679251591282011-03-03T12:01:32.170-08:002011-03-03T12:01:32.170-08:00I think the hardest transition wasn't for Bryd...I think the hardest transition wasn't for Bryden but for me. She was/is so young that it doesn't affect her as much as it might have had she been a bit older (although she does show some obvious signs of jealousy). But for me it was really hard. The first couple of weeks James was kind of tied to me (nursing him, getting him on a sleep schedule, etc.) and I definitely felt very disconnected from her and it really broke my heart. But I had to tell myself that it was only until I was able to 'figure him out' and that it wouldn't last forever. And I would be sure that when I did have time away from him (while he was sleeping, or if Mike was bonding with him) that I gave her my undivided attention (no television on, no checking my phone or computer). Now at nights we do story time and prayers as a family, she goes down and then he follows shortly after. I think she feels very important when I ask her to pick the books that we're going to read (hasn't quite dawned on her that we ask her because he physically can't but no matter I'll take it). Sometimes I feel as though I turned my little girl into a big girl way too soon by bringing in another little person to the mix but then I think about how wonderful it will be for them to play together, fight together and grow up so close and that puts me at ease. <br /><br />I'm so excited for you and am anxiously awaiting your good news! Good luck, enjoy the last few weeks (days?) of pregnancy (I miss it!) and sooner than you think your family of three will be FOUR!!!Trishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18281943363500373985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3180886024251289372.post-85292907085557893902011-02-28T19:04:30.902-08:002011-02-28T19:04:30.902-08:00I was a little frantic about who would come watch ...I was a little frantic about who would come watch Jake if I was in labor especially with the hubs working nights. It worked out just fine and while I did feel TERRIBLE about leaving in the middle of the night without talking to or seeing Jake (because he was sleeping), we came home to a kid who had a perfectly good time with family members. We have been really lucky so far with how amazing Jake has been with his brother. Like you, we tried to include him in everything we did so when someone asked him where I was - he knew I was at the doctor and he knew he was going to meet his baby brother. Coming to visit in this hospital he was a little freaked out (but there were also other visitors there coming and going and I was in a bed and everything so it was all weird to him). Once we got home, he has wanted to help do everything with Aidan - even asks to watch a show with Aidan and play cars with Aidan which I just think is adorable. Definitely dish out generous hugs and cuddles so they don't feel like absolutely everything is about the baby!Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00919876274370002751noreply@blogger.com