Now that we are ten weeks into this whole family of four thing (double digits!), I thought I would share a little update about the girls are doing together. Or mainly, how Waverly is reacting to having a little sister! She is the one with most of the emotions around here, & also, Avalon doesn’t know any different, reality to her is life with a crazy little lady around all of the time. 😉
More than anything, my main concern while pregnant was how Waverly would do with such a huge transition. Obviously being outnumbered, lack of sleep, double the crazy – all of that crossed my mind (& was scary!), but my biggest worry was that bringing a new baby home would completely turn Waverly’s world upside down. If you have read my blog long enough, I’m sure you have an idea of her demeanor, Waverly is as spunky & sassy as they come, and she loves attention! While it can be challenging, we love that about her, she is so much fun, so full of life, and there is no doubt in my mind that her vibrant personality will take her very far one day. Yet those are also all of the things that worried me when thinking about her little sister joining us (you know, forever!), another little person who would also get lots of attention & who we would love just as much as we love her.
So far, Waverly has truly amazed me, in just the time since Avalon was born I have watched her grow & mature so very much, there is no one she adores more than her little sister. From the very moment she met her in the hospital, Waverly has been so interested in Avalon, wanting to know everything about her and to love on her as much as possible. I was worried that the excitement would fade after a couple of weeks, but it definitely hasn’t, in fact I think her love for her grows stronger all the time. Avalon is the first person she asks for in the morning, she never turns down the opportunity to hold her, & she begs me to wake her up every time she is napping. The minute Avalon’s eyes open she yells, “Mom, she is up!”, so excited, and if she cries for even two seconds, Waverly runs to her and wants to help immediately. Overall, she has taken to the big sister role seamlessly, & it melts my heart on a daily basis.
With that being said, I certainly don’t want to come off like we are living in a dream world over here, while I have been pleasantly surprised by the girls, we have our issues just like everyone else. When Avalon was just a couple weeks old, our friend & photographer came over for some family pictures at our house, and it was pretty much a disaster. It was the first time Waverly showed signs of jealousy, probably because she was used to Brooke being all about her and she had to share the attention. She hit Avalon a couple of times, it really upset me (& my post-partum hormones), the day ended up in tears from everyone and my first beer in ten months. I was convinced I was going to have to be Avalon’s bodyguard from there on out, and that I had most likely ruined Waverly’s happy little world. Thankfully though, she woke up the next morning completely normal & hasn’t acted that way since.
The biggest issue that remains, by far, is that Waverly is so in love with Avalon that she wants to be on her all of the time. Literally. Waverly has always been big on touch, she shows her feelings (& how much she loves someone!), by smothering them, and that’s definitely the case with her little sister. She gets right in her face to talk to her, she likes to grab her hands and feet, and almost always, she wants to kiss her over, over, and over again. Though we have gone over it so many times, she still doesn’t quite understand what gentle is, and even if she does, the reality is that she is three & sometimes she just can’t quite contain herself . Some days I feel like I have to ask her to move away from Avalon so many times that we don’t have many happy moments left, which makes me sad because I feel horrible disciplining her for loving her sister so much. Yet ultimately, if that is the biggest problem we have, I will gladly take it. Just like every other part of parenthood, it’s just a phase, one that we will get through together. Every day seems to get better, before long, Avalon will be running after her big sister begging for her attention & I will look back on this time laughing, I’m sure of it.
So there you have it, ten weeks in with two little ladies! 🙂 Lots of ups & a couple downs, but we are so in love with them both and couldn’t feel luckier to call them ours. Please share your own thoughts, feelings or experiences below, I am all ears!
XO
I'm glad that, overall, things are going well! Like life, there will definitely be bumps along the road, but it sounds like it's been a win in the grand scheme of things! 🙂 Love the photo of Waverly peering into the crib at her sister! So sweet 🙂
Ten weeks, no way!!! Time sure does fly. I have so many friends with 2+ kids and like you are dealing with the olders just wanna love so much on the littles and don't quite understand the true meaning of gentle. Soon enough they'll be old enough to rough and tumble and it will be easier on you and W. I'm glad that overall things are going well :)!
Abigail is almost five and is the exact same way with Mabel. It drives me friggen crazy. "I'm just huggin her mom!" Or kissing her face and patting her head/face over and over and over. Mabel seems to smile and like it but I can't understand how!
I have a sister who is two years younger – they will have so much fun someday with dances, parties… weddings, baby showers!! Thanks for keeping it real with your end-of-the-day beer! Hilarious and heartfelt at the same time – sending you happy thoughts 🙂
So excited for ALL of that! Thank you!
We don't have another baby on the way yet, but my concern is the same – how Mila will do with such a big transition when the time comes. Your girls are so, so sweet together and I'm glad to hear the transition has been going pretty well (aside from the smothering!).
this is great. i can relate SO MUCH.
my littlest is 13 wks old and i spend ALL DAY saying, "not so close, give him some space!"
i realized that i expect my kids to act like they're 10, but little ones just don't understand the concept of being quiet or personal space, and i need to give them room to learn.
and my son hurt my baby once and i couldn't handle it, i had to leave the room bc i was so upset/sad. these are learning experiences for all of us!
So glad we can all relate on this! We are all just doing the best we can! Lots of love your way! XO
I'm so glad to hear it's going well. I have the same concerns as you when baby #2 comes. Scarlett also loves to show affection through touch so I'll have to watch for that. I think jealousy is normal and I wouldn't be too hard on yourself about the hitting, it sounds like you've got it under control anyway. I'm sure it's a huge adjustment for these little toddlers… Scarlett get's ALL of the attention right now so I worry how she will do sharing it. I'm so scared her world will be turned upside down.
So excited for you!! I know Scarlett is going to do great, can't wait to see pictures of the two of them together!
Sweet, sweet sisters. Grey has reacted very similar with Scarlett being home. I'm glad the love hasn't worn off! Bless their little hearts, such a big adjustment!
Aw, love it! Hope those THREE little girls are just perfect!
Rae was very much like that in the beginning, too. Now that its been a few months, she's calmed down quite a bit. But now were running into her wanting to help so much that she wants to pick up Aubrey. haha. Sometimes the smothering is cute, but when Rae gets all crazy and rambunctious in the witching hours we have to constantly remind her "don't jump so close to Aubrey, don't hug her by the neck, don't, don't, don't" and I just feel so bad sometimes. Sisters man! Love these ladies!!
Love those pics! Waverly sounds like the best big sis! Liam is obsessed too and physical touch is his love language. I have to remind him to be gentle but he is by nature. I'm sure Avalon will keep loving all those kisses!
Oh Waverly!! Such a happy, loving big sis! You are lucky, momma! I'm hoping this is how things go for us once baby brother is here! I would much rather deal with a too loving sis rather than a jealous one. These little babies are so so strong, they have to be since most of them do come into the world with older siblings who don't understand what gentle is 😉
What a great big sis! If loving her too much is the biggest concern I call it a success!! Cam doesn't understand being gentle with Enmy either. Ha ha! Toddlers!!!
So true! Thanks mama!
It is so cute how much Waverly loves her sister! They are going to be best buds.
Thank you – I think so!!! 🙂
I'm so happy things are going well for you. This is my biggest concern over the next few months, is how Palmer will react to a new baby. She talks like she cant wait for baby to get here, but when the reality sinks in that the baby will be here to stay, I'm not sure what will happen. We already have minor hitting and tantrums happening over here…so we will see what happens come October!
I was wondering how Waverly was doing in the role as big sister.
We have similar exoeriences. Marcus is constsntly wanting to touch and kiss Julia. And always seems to be right up in her face. I think I say, "gentle, gentle" no less than 100 times a day.
I love this update, and I LOVE that Waverly loves Avalon! I had so much anxiety about Cameron during this transition, and he has handled it like a champ!! xoxo
Love that – glad you guys are doing well! XO
So glad to hear it's going well! Isn't it so much fun to watch them love on their younger sibling. We go back and forth with the jealous but I figure the sibling rivalry isn't going anywhere anytime soon 🙂
Haha – you are probably very right! 🙂 It is so much fun to watch them together!
So glad to hear it's going so well! Even though you have to tell her to be gentle, it really sounds like she's embraced her big sister role and loves having a sibling! That picture of her peeking into the crib is to DIE for! All the heart eye emojis!!!
Thanks so very much, pretty mama!
We are trying to have another baby bow so I hope we will get to see soon what it is like. I've heard though that younger children can totally change their demeanor when a little is born.
Yes, but I am sure you will be surprised!!! So exciting!