Being Big Sissy

 

Bella was an hour old when Hallie fell in love with her. Riley carried her into the room and her face lit up with a HUGE ear to ear grin the moment she finally laid eyes on her. Best friends at first sight. No, for real though. There was just something about the way she looked at her let me know how much she truly cared about her sister. Hallie is a nurturer at heart and has always been concerned about the way others feel. She's a pleaser and wants to make people happy. Hmmmm. Sounds familiar. ;) Needless to say, she immediately took to caring for her tiny new friend and sister. She wanted to hold the oxygen to her little nose, she tried to make sure Bella was warm and she was very concerned about checking out all her fingers and toes. All checked out well. Once that was finished she began doing something that scared me. She started acting like a stinker. A big stinker. She didn't want to leave the room, she got upset when others held her sister and she sure didn't want anyone telling her what she was going to do. So when Riley carried her out of the room crying and screaming my stomach quickly sank. Is this how things are going to be from now on? I began to feel guilt for sending Hallie away for the night while we stayed with Bella. I wondered if her little mind understood why she couldn't stay with us since it was getting late. I hated the thought of her thinking she wasn't a part of the big day. It broke my heart. But naturally I couldn't sulk for too long because I had a room full of people ready to meet our baby. The next day Hallie arrived around lunchtime and I was so relieved to see the huge smile on her face. A bit of nervousness too. It was all so new, that was obvious by the way she cautiously stepped toward me and the baby. She was more than ready to hold her baby sis so we set up a spot on the bed where she could get some one on one time with Bella. It was the best moment of my life thus far. My baby holding my other baby. Brings me to tears just writing about it. 

She quickly became an expert on everything baby. Bella this and Bella that....she knew it all. She told us what Bella liked and what she was thinking....yes, it was precious. She also wanted to have a say so in who could and couldn't hold her. The only two that made the cut were herself and mommy. What about that other fella that we all love? Daddy didn't make the list. But he was allowed to take Hallie to the gift shop for some big sister goodies. My heart melted all over again when she returned to the room with a gift for her sister as well....a tiny pink elephant. :) Big sis had quite an eventful afternoon with us. In addition to baby holding duty she was involved in a "code pink" drill throughout the hospital. Our missing child played the part well and "disappeared" to do some shopping down in the gift shop AGAIN where she bought even more stuffed animals.  They called a code for a "three year old girl dressed in leopard pants." I sat in the room thinking about how I'd remind her of this story someday.

I'd have to describe her behavior over the next two days as unstable. Not towards Bella. But more towards life in general. She was easy to anger and threw quite a few fits with no obvious trigger. We cut her some slack with all of the new changes rocking her world and rested in the awesome truth that she loves Bella more than I could've ever imagined.....

Bella in her living baby doll. One that she takes extra good care of and handle ever so gently....

And I'm perplexed to say that she even pretends to breastfeed her on occasion....

Diaper changes and clothing selection doesn't happen until Hallie enters the room. I often hear her hustling to get to the nursery and screaming "wait for me!!!!!" Once she makes her way to us she grabs her pink stool, fetches me a diaper and talks sweet talk to sissy. Or places a stuffed cat on her face like so......

Being big sissy was sort of confusing at first though. Lots of people coming to the house to snuggle the little sister. Big sister started to feel a little left out. But no need to fear....Uncle Spencer to the rescue!!!!

We feel like most of her problem was due to the fact that she didn't want anyone else to hold HER baby...

She gets out of bed at the crack of dawn just to be a part of bathtime....

 

Or stay up late to help....

 

 

She insists of pushing the cart when we get to the baby section at Walmart. After all, she knows what Bella needs....

She's even fit in some snuggle time in the middle of her daily meditation....

Bella gets a lot of face time, if you will....

Hal has spent the majority of the summer at home with Bella and I. It's been all about a life of leisure for this girl....

Well, both girls actually.....

 

I hear the words "I think you need to take a picture of me and sissy" at least ten times a day.....

 

 

Meme came to visit and was wonderful about giving Hallie some extra special attention. She was so serious about her preschool "ME book" and proudly explained each page to Meme....

She's getting way too big for my liking!

When we initially told Hallie that she was going to be a big sister it was obvious that she was excited. Yet I could tell that she didn't know what to expect. I worried that she would feel sad about the attention I'd be giving to another child. Naturally I imagined at least a little bit of jealousy. I sometimes pictured her getting upset by the baby crying. But no. None of those worries were necessary. The minute she hears a cry or even a whimper she runs to Bella with the nearest pacifier and does ALL of the following....turns on the swing/bouncy seat, speaks in her sweetest voice right in Bella's face and plops that pacifier in place. I love seeing the accomplishment flash across her face when her efforts work. One day she ran in the bathroom while I was drying my hair and exasperated said "mommy, come quick! I tried everything to make her happy but she's still sad. I put her binky in and I turned the swing on and I danced and gave her a stuffed animal but she's still crying." Will never forget that moment! Funny and oh so sweet at the same time! She set me straight one day when I was having a rather frustrated moment. I asked aloud one afternoon, "Bella girl, what is going on with you?!?!" Hallie calmly looked up from her coloring and said "she's just doing her job mommy." Oh yeah, and what is that. "To cry" she put very simply. She's a wise little soul and a very good mini momma. There is no better way to describe this girl....natural born protector, best friend and the most loving big sister....