Marielle may only be 16 months old, but she’s definitely starting to get the idea that something big is about to happen to our family. And by big I also mean that at my appointment yesterday, baby boy is already over 7 pounds…Anywaaays….
We have scattered the baby things around the house so Marielle can explore them. The bassinet is out, the MamaRoo, the infant car seat and soft baby blankets. She has really taken to her infant car seat. At first she wanted to sit in it, but now she wants to put her own baby doll in it. She lovingly places baby in the car seat, “buckles” her in, and rocks her back and forth. Baby boy was given a brown Jelly Cat bunny (just like her pink one) that she has decided is hers for right now. This is good. At her age, it’s best that she doesn’t feel like there are things that only belong to the new baby. We frequently make trips into the baby’s nursery to look at his things, and explain to her that baby will be sleeping in this room. “Baaaaby?” She says, every time we go in there. She smiles. She is constantly giving “kissies” to my belly, and lovingly points at my belly.
We read books everyday about new babies and becoming a big sister. Although she has no idea what that concept means at her age, it makes me smile when she points out all the babies on the pages of the books. We’ve had our friends over who have new babies, and she is very interested in them. She stares at them, rocks them in their car seat and gives them her bunnies. I am thrilled she has exhibited such positive behavior towards little ones. I can only hope this stays the same when her brother arrives in a couple weeks.
I read in one of my books that it is important that daddy is the one holding the new baby when Marielle first meets him. This allows her to first come see and snuggle with mom and know that I am still here for her, and know that mama’s arms still belong to Marielle as well.
I have started putting together Marielle’s Big Sister hospital bag. This is a special bag that I have put together full of things to make her feel special when she comes to meet her brother at the hospital. Here is what is inside.
Personalized Canvas Bag – Pottery Barn Kids
Big Sister Shirt – Oh Baby!
You’re Getting a Little Brother! – Book
Big Sister Photo Album – This soft photo album allows her to have photos of just her and her baby brother, hopefully starting that special brother sister bond. I put photos of her and the baby still in mama’s belly inside to start.
Doodle Pro Drawing Tablet – To keep her busy at the hospital when she most likely loses interested in the new baby after a few minutes 🙂
V-Tech Little Apps Tablet – Maybe she won’t want my cell phone anymore?? 🙂 Wishful thinking.
Snacks. Lots of snacks. Pouches and special treats to make her feel special especially when mommy has to feed the new baby. I’ll make her favorite banana blueberry muffins in a few days here, and freeze them so they are ready to pop into her bag when it’s time.
I know that because she is so young, this transition may be difficult for her. She may resort back to needing her paci during the day, needing extra love and attention, reverting back to wanting a bottle over a sippy cup and potentially refusing naps and bedtimes. This will all be temporary and we will need to be extra aware of her needs and feelings. I am keeping Marielle’s schedule as consistent as possible. We will still do our mommy and me classes together on Wednesdays, we will still have organized play dates so she can see her friends (and mommy can see her friends too!) and she will still have her special one on one times with mommy and daddy and special outings with the grandparents. Thank goodness for family 🙂 Everyone has told me the first 3-6 months will be extremely difficult…so I’m prepared for that, but I look forward to watch the relationship between her and her brother grow over time.
The Simple Elements 
You are such a wonderfully thoughtful Mother!