It was dinner time, so I fed Avery and then put her in this activity center / exersaucer / piano thing in the living room. It's a great way for her to stand up (which she loves to do) and when her feet hit the piano keys, it plays music. It's hard to explain, so obviously, I should have a picture to accompany this post, but I don't ... I promise to post one soon as a follow up, though! Anyway, it kept Avery busy while I went into the kitchen to cook dinner. I kept Reagan occupied at her little table in the kitchen with some paper and her favorite watercolor paints. After about 20 minutes in the "piano," Avery was getting bored (and probably lonely), so she started making some small cries. I remember when I used to put Reagan in this same piano and I would feel so guilty for doing so ... even though she was happy, perfectly safe, and entertained/stimulated in it, I felt like a bad mom. As soon as she would make the smallest cry, I'd pull her out of it. Everyone tells you how different you are as a parent to the second child, and sure enough, it's true. I have no reservations about placing Avery in the piano and I certainly don't pull her out the minute I hear a whimper! So, Reagan was painting and when she heard Avery cry, she said, "What was that?" She's been saying this a lot lately ... whenever she hears a sound in the house, she looks at me with a very thoughtful expression and asks, "What was that?" Sometimes she'll answer her own question, as she did tonight. She said, "Avery's crying. She's sad." I watched Reagan get up from her table and go into the living room to check on her baby sister. I followed her and felt lucky to witness her giving Avery a dose of sweet sisterly love. She gently touched Avery on the head and said, "It's okay, Avery. I'm right here." My heart melted as I listened to my 2-year old repeat the words she's heard me use when consoling Avery. Reagan is SO good with her baby sister. She is kind and loving toward Avery and always makes her smile. I feel so lucky to have both my girls and I look forward to watching them grow up together.
2/28/08 ~ Happy Avery
3 comments:
I feel you on this one. I blogged about Sophie putting a towel around Emma when she was getting out of the bath. It is the little things that make your heart melt. When sisters get along, it makes the sweetest music in the home.
PS. I loved hearing this story. Thanks for sharing.
It only gets harder to juggle with each kid, but that is the glory of having older siblings, they step in when I need help. It warms my heart so much to watch them take care of each other.
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