In the twosome I refer to, one of the lovers is two. Two years old.
Sunshine is still completely obsessed with her baby brother. (Only half the time she calls him her baby "sister"). Her face lights up with adoration when she even thinks of him or speaks his name. He doesn't even have to be present for her to start jumping up and down with giddy excitement, she just has to think about "Baby Bingley." *Sigh!* As soon as she thinks about him, she has to hold him. HAS to. No other choices. It doesn't have to be for too long, but it does have to be NOW. Like others with infatuations, she must touch him. Her preference is to poke his eyes and pull on his ears. She wants to share everything with him, including her pacifier. She overwhelms him with her affections. She caresses his head, only too hard. She stokes his hair, only to suddenly yank. She showers him with gifts: stuffed animals, blankets, and silk flowers are some of the few items she has piled on top of him. She has even thrown herself at him shamelessly in an attempt to infuse him with her love.
I am painfully aware of the dangers this presents.
In fact, you may say I'm a bit on edge with the stress that comes from keeping a loving two year old's affections in the safe zone. This week I have caught her picking him up at least 4 times. Holding my 3 week old infant in her own chubby little baby arms. "Here's the baby, mama." she says with a smile. That's when I either a. wig out or b. calmly-but with lightening reflexes--retrieve my baby from her hands and simply explain the dangers of two year olds holding new borns.
She doesn't get it.
I have told her "no" more in the past 3 weeks than she had heard in her entire life.
Perhaps things are starting to sink in as I did see her yesterday patting his head while saying to herself in a cheerful, sing song voice, "Don't touch baby. Don't touch baby." It wearies me. I tell her, "touch his feet, not his face." And "kiss his toes, not his lips."
My hope is that she'll get over it, and quick. Most infatuations burn out soon, right?
7 comments:
first I have to say that there is no toddler chub on Sophie except for her cheeks, I've noticed how almost muscular that little body is, so chubby arms on most toddlers, but not on Sophie, just an observation, and I think I am infatuated with Sophie, especially after yesterday when she said, "give me a hug and kiss Nancy." So if you need a Sophie break send her with the next relative headed to Utah because I'll be glad to take her!
Very well written! Sophie looks absolutely adorable with Charlie, and Charlie looks like he is completely thriving. I'm so sorry about the stress of protecting your newborn from his older sister's exuberant affection. I only have boys, but I have heard that girls are generally very interested in taking care of babies. As Sophie gets older, her interest in helping care for him will probably be very welcome. Good luck in the meantime! Hope she learns soon how to be gentle with him. Hope your recovery is going okay. Those first several weeks are magical, but so exhausting at times.
We hope that you don't have to be overly vigilant for too long, just long enough for Charlie to survive. Then Sophie's infatuation should subside and you can relax a little. Good luck!
We STILL have to protect Roxwell from Layne. Afer 4 months the newness has not worn off. But babies get sturdier every day!
I gotta meet this kid before Sophie swallows him whole.
Just think, one day they'll be like you and Steve, and be the best of friends. It'll be excellent.
hey, take Sophie to Utah and take me too!
Post a Comment