"Cheese."
Isn't she so pretty?
Like a little model with her intense gaze.
And her sister, looking very Brown family-esque if you ask me.
It's hard to get a good picture of a baby lying down. Can you see the color of her hair though? Dark blonde. So pretty with those navy blue eyes!I know you all just really want to see pictures, and I'm trying to stay on top of that.
Life has been a little crazy around here. Generally speaking, I know the next 6 months to, let's face it, a year are going to be crazy. The first year of a child's life is pretty consuming for the dedicated parent. I remember referring to MCM's first year as "her" year. I realized that no matter what plans I had, things were basically about her - especially because she's a bit of a high maintenance girl. This year, will likely be similar, although I expect it to tax me in a new way as I hope to dedicate as much time and energy to LCM's special year, while never letting MCM feel as if she's taken the back-burner. It's hard. Really, really, hard.
MCM and I are extremely close...as close as I could imagine being to any child. I wouldn't trade that for the world, but I do think it makes it extra hard for her to let go of me a little bit. I don't feel like she's missed out on attention much at all - Lord knows, I've been killing myself to spend every free minute with her. But, I can see that it makes her feel a little insecure when she sees me hold and care for LCM. In fact, those are the moments she wants to sit in my lap, be picked up, or have me sit and play with her.
Being the sweet girl that she is, none of this has affected her feelings toward her baby sister. She loves her and does nothing but try to cuddle her and kiss her - and of course cries every time LCM cries. (Empathy is good, I know, but must it be so loud??) However, she has been throwing her inner sense of animosity straight at her Mommy, and it has definitely been a difficult time for both of us.
I know we're in a new phase, and we're all adjusting to the new normal around here, but can anyone tell me exactly how long it might take her to adjust to things? Tips, advice, commiseration are especially appreciated from those who would describe any of their children as "spirited" or "high needs" or "strong willed"...
Life has been a little crazy around here. Generally speaking, I know the next 6 months to, let's face it, a year are going to be crazy. The first year of a child's life is pretty consuming for the dedicated parent. I remember referring to MCM's first year as "her" year. I realized that no matter what plans I had, things were basically about her - especially because she's a bit of a high maintenance girl. This year, will likely be similar, although I expect it to tax me in a new way as I hope to dedicate as much time and energy to LCM's special year, while never letting MCM feel as if she's taken the back-burner. It's hard. Really, really, hard.
MCM and I are extremely close...as close as I could imagine being to any child. I wouldn't trade that for the world, but I do think it makes it extra hard for her to let go of me a little bit. I don't feel like she's missed out on attention much at all - Lord knows, I've been killing myself to spend every free minute with her. But, I can see that it makes her feel a little insecure when she sees me hold and care for LCM. In fact, those are the moments she wants to sit in my lap, be picked up, or have me sit and play with her.
Being the sweet girl that she is, none of this has affected her feelings toward her baby sister. She loves her and does nothing but try to cuddle her and kiss her - and of course cries every time LCM cries. (Empathy is good, I know, but must it be so loud??) However, she has been throwing her inner sense of animosity straight at her Mommy, and it has definitely been a difficult time for both of us.
I know we're in a new phase, and we're all adjusting to the new normal around here, but can anyone tell me exactly how long it might take her to adjust to things? Tips, advice, commiseration are especially appreciated from those who would describe any of their children as "spirited" or "high needs" or "strong willed"...
2 comments:
i am reading "raising the strong willed child" by dobson. it is doing wonders for me as i try to understand my very sweet but very strong willed 16 month old. noah is perfection in my eyes but he's defiant as the day is long. i really recommend that book if you haven't already read it - and it is actually an interesting and easy read (strange for dobson!). i hope it helps you with your spirited baby girl :)
Courtney, congrats on sweet baby girl number two! When our second (Katie) was born, I found it very helpful to let our first (Sam) help and be involved as much as possible. When I was nursing, he'd want to snuggle up to me and be all in my personal space, which would drive me insane, but I really wanted him to love Katie and not see her as taking his place. So we'd read lots of books while Katie nursed and he'd help me change her diapers and i'd let him hold her whenever he asked, even though I knew it would last only about three seconds. Basically whenever she was awake, the three of us were hanging out together and then when she was sleeping, I'd make a point to do one fun thing with him (read, go outside, play a game, etc) then I'd have him come alongside me and help me with my work around the house. I made extra certain to give him lots of hugs and kisses and tell him how proud I was of "my big brother helper" and I always talked about Katie being his best friend. And she really is! I know you're not a scheduler (I am a frequent stalker of your blog) but having Katie (and now Nathan, our third) on a good routine was a sanity saver. But, you'll be so surprised how quickly LCM and MCM will be best friends, playing with each other and making each other laugh, and you'll have a few minutes here and there to yourself to get things done.
-Robin Williford Stevens
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