Aileen
Somewhere in the fog of recovering from delivery, nursing, getting up several times at night, cleaning up spit-up and diapers, balancing time and energy with two kids and making the many transitions bringing home a new baby – I fear forgetting to enjoy the moment rather than living in hope that it will eventually get easier. Here are some of the good moments that I’ve reflected on.
Aileen’s long dark hair which seems to have blonde highlights on the tips. She was born with so much that we could comb it, and how it puffs up after it’s been shampooed.
Her super soft skin
The way her voice already sounds like a little girl’s
Watching how she brings out a gentle and protective side of Clint
How the nurses joked about her long toes adding an extra inch to her length
The size of her tiny delicate fingers have fingernails the size of sesame seeds
The sound of her smacking her lips after eating
Times when we catch her mouth twitching into grins and smiles
Touched about how vulnerable and innocent she is, and feeling a heavy burden of responsibility about meeting her needs throughout her life.
How I felt an instant bond with her even before she was born. When you’re a mom, you realize that you have a commitment to your kids for the rest of your life, even though how that may look has seasons that change. Avery and Aileen will always be in my thoughts and prayers.
Avery Helping with the Baby
Avery seems to have welcomed his new responsibility as a big brother well. He enjoys his “big boy” status and sometimes jokes in his play about “wearing diapers” or being “a baby”.
When Aileen starts to cry, sometimes he will try to talk soothing to her saying “Aw, it’s OK Aween”, or he will turn on the music to her bouncy chair. At times, if he notices her feet not covered up with a blanket, he will get off his chair to do so. Since he is also very vocal, he is helpful in singing to her, telling her “Aww, she’s so cute. The little baby.”, and keeping her awake with constant chatter and activity during waketime. Avery likes to touch her “wittle fingers” and sometimes asks to hold her “all by myself”.
However, learning to share time and attention has not always been easy. He has a craft table with scrap paper, tape, crayons, etc… he retreats to and occupies himself when mom can’t attend to him at the moment. That seems to frustrate him, although it appears he does understand to some degree. He has also had to learn not to run in the house and to tone down his voice a bit when his sister is napping. Self-control and delayed gratification in these areas for an active little guy is challenging, but hopefully the benefits will pay off in the long run – especially in school. We are still very proud of him.
