Sibling Stuff...

Rachel and Bradley have adjusted quite well to having a new baby brother. One thing is for sure: they really LOVE their new baby. Sometimes they are intense in their affection, attention and desire to be near Trent. Rachel still really needs to be a caretaker. She wants to hold Trent and she loves talking to him. Sometimes she says the funniest and cutest things to him when I pretend that I'm not paying any attention. She says things like: "you're just the cutest little baby, yes you are." and "do you want me to be your mommy?" or "you love your big sister, don't you?" She says that Trent loves her more than Bradley even though he probably does like Bradley, but he doesn't love him as much because he's not as nice as she is. She still wrestles with loving both her brothers equally. At first when Trent came home, Rachel had pretty much decided that she didn't want Bradley as her brother anymore. Now she's gotten a little better, but she told me in the car the other day that she didn't think Bradley was going to live with us anymore. I asked her where he was going to live and she said "with Wylie," who is her friend that she hasn't seen in over a year. I tried to explain that while it was okay for her to feel this way, he was her brother and we all love him very much...even though he aggravates her and gets on her nerves. She is actually quite helpful to me by getting things I need for Trent and by holding him for quick minutes while I grab other things. She also loves it when Trent unintentionally grabs her hair or face. She asks us, "mom, why did the baby just touch my face?" And she loves it when we say, "because he really loves his big sister." This just makes her glow and she's so proud that he loves her. She is CRAZY about Trent and she is an absolutely sweet, precious big help!

Bradley has his moments where he's interested in what Trent's doing, but most of the time, he's not too concerned. He does enjoy watching me change "bay-bay's" diaper. He likes to climb up the changing table and stand next to me and watch. He has also figured out that the changing table is the perfect "ladder" to get into the crib...which he was doing quite regularly. We've tried to really nip that in the bud, because we don't want him in the crib at all, but especially not with Trent in it. Bradley loves to give Trent his toys. He'll be playing with something, like a plastic alligator or elephant, and then decide to give it to Trent. The other day, Trent was sleeping in his crib and Bradley brought two plastic sharks and put them in the bed with him. I thought it was very sweet and thoughtful. Bradley really gets a kick out of any noises that Trent makes...from whimpers to squeaks to whatever, it makes Bradley giggle so hard. He has also regressed a little at times...Bradley likes to pretend he's a baby and make a fake cry. He loves it when I say, "what's the matter little baby?" and tickle him and really "baby" him. He also climbed up on the changing table and wanted his diaper changed...which I did. He made his "baby cry" noise and we both just giggled. It was actually very funny, I thought. Bradley's become more attached to me and wants to be RIGHT next to me when I'm holding or nursing Trent, even if we're sitting in a chair and can't fit 3 people very comfortably. He's adjusting very well, but still needs the reassurance that he's my baby too. And, I don't mind letting him know that he is...what an incredibly sweet, funny little boy!