One Lucky Mama & Papa

 Adjusting to a new addition to the family can be hard on everyone, but the focus is normally on the older sibling...  Annabelle has been the one and only for 4.5 years and we were all a bit concerned about how she'd handle having Baby Aiden around 24/7.  Annabelle loves babies.  We had the pleasure of watching Baby Carter and Baby Claire this year and both Annabelle and myself learned so very much.  It was a great refresher course for me and really good practice for her.  I can say with great pride that our little Annabelle Marie has a very big heart and she has welcomed Aiden into her heart with great ease and enthusiasm.

 There is something magical, for a parent, to watch their children love one another.  The moment that Annabelle walked into our hospital room I was overwhelmed with emotion.  Before your second comes you wonder how you'll ever love them as much as you love your first.  I know in talking to every mother/father I know that they too had the same worry.  The answer was consistently the same from them all.  "I don't know how, but you just do...  Your love isn't split it just grows."  From the moment I saw Aiden I knew that statement was true AND when I saw Annabelle look at Aiden for the first time I knew it even more...  "Awwww, Mommy!  He's soooo cute!!!"

Watching her open her heart was very special for me and Nick.  We are so proud of the big sister she is and know that she'll continue to show/teach Baby Aiden many, many things.  

As for Annabelle's little heart and how she's adjusting to the major shift in attention...  Well, honestly, it's day by day.  For the most part she's handled everything just wonderfully.  There have been some tough moments, but that's life and there will be many more.  Nick and I have just tried to keep our patients and talk to her about her feelings and how to handle them.  Isn't it funny...  As parents we have to breakdown the simplest of tasks in order to teach them to our children.  It starts at Aiden's age...  Teaching them how to sooth themselves to sleep, to eat...  As kiddos get bigger we forget to break these things down to help them understand.  Dealing with emotions is something that has to be taught...  What can you do when you are mad, sad, lonely, etc?  We get upset when AB has a meltdown, but really it's a teachable moment.  It is the time to try and address her feelings and give her the tools to better deal with her emotions.  I know, for me, I find myself just expecting Annabelle to know what to do and how to do it.  On days when I'm not being such a good Mommy, I hear myself barking orders at her and getting upset or frustrated with her when she's not listening and marching to my orders.  I have to take a step back at times and remind myself that she is only four years old...  :-)  And a LOVELY four year old she is too!

Dear AB,

Your Mommy and Daddy are so proud of the way you've become a Big Sister!  You are so very kind to Baby Aiden.  I know he is going to have the very best example, in you as he grows bigger and bigger.  Thank you for being patient with your Mommy and Daddy. We are all learning together, but we know it can be hard when you feel the attention isn't on you quite as much...  Just remember that Mommy and Daddy couldn't love you more.  You and Aiden are our hearts.  

Dear Aiden,

Welcome, Buddy!  Getting to know you these past 10 days have been our absolute pleasure.  It can't be easy coming out of a mommy's belly, but you've made it look pretty simple.  You are a Dreamboat!  You are eating very well, sleeping even better, and melting all of our hearts.  Your Mommy, Daddy and Big Sissy love you so very much!