Big BRO

Madden has officially been a BIG brother for 6 weeks now and he has adjusted to his new role better than I could have ever dreamed possible! 

I want to remember these first moments of them together forever! He was so excited to be dropped off at grandma and papa's for a sleepover so mom and dad could have his baby sister.

He was more than thrilled to finally meet her at the hospital. He climbed up in the bed to look at her in the bassinet.  He tried sharing his sucker and laid her blankie on her. He LOVED her hair and wanted to touch it. 

He was all about picking out a gift for her all by himself for when he came to visit her at the hospital....and he even picked out a couple other presents for her after she arrived, like the little lion above from the hospital gift shop. When he came back the next day to visit he brought books with him specifically to read to his baby sister and showed her all the pictures. 

I think it helped that we talked to him about the baby from the very beginning, literally he was with me when I checked the pregnancy test and he was the first to know, even before daddy! He was even excited when I asked him if he wanted a baby brother or sister, so I guess it shouldn't be that big of surprise. 

We tried to have other big adjustments well out of the way so he wasn't overwhelmed with so much change at once, like giving up the pacifier, potty training, graduating from a toddler bed to a full size bed, and moving to a big boy room.

And since we've been home, Madden is literally OBSESSED with his sister! 

He is always looking for her or asking where she is. 

We're still learning gentle touch and to not poke her in the eyes or try to open sister's eyes. He gets very excited when she does have her eyes open. 

He adorns her with kisses daily!

Hugs and tickles are very abundant.

If anyone tries giving her attention he is right there too doing the same.

He likes waking her up from sleeping to see her.

He is more than helpful throwing away dirty diapers, getting blankets, showing her toys, telling mommy when she has boogies and will get a kleenex for me, finding her pacifiers, zipping up her carseat cover, watching over and trying to entertain her during diaper changes, and helping give her baths.

He really loves giving her raspberries on her belly.

He's got lots of nicknames for her already. He calls her "my baby", Harpie, cootie (for cutie), cootie girl, pumpkin, baby sister, that girl, and sweetie. 

Don't get me wrong, it hasn't been all rainbows and unicorns over here. 

He has had a few meltdowns. He had a major meltdown the week after when we all went to Toys R Us. With no nap and wanting to go home with every single toy in the store, it was a recipe for disaster and something we had coming. There have been two or three times when dropping him off at daycare he didn't want to go because either his sister wasn't coming in with or he wanted to stay home with us. And he definitely shows off more so when visitors come over to get their attention on him rather than the new bundle of attention stealing joy. 

Overall we have been very lucky and he has been one awesome big brother. I am so incredibly proud of him and absolutely love watching him interact with Harper.