October Randomness

Couldn't wait to try her Halloween costume on when it came in the mail.

Ready for Trunk or Treat

Tractors at The Red Barn...they were important at age 2, and continue to be :)

Fall pictures at The Red Barn

Loves holding her baby sister.

So attentive! Love our sweet helper.

Our Little Helper

We are only three weeks into being a family of four, but my gut feeling based on our experience so far is that four years is the ideal age difference between siblings. At least for our two girls.

There are two main reasons for this:
1) Our four-year-old is ready, willing, and able to help in so many ways that a younger sibling could not.
2) The four-year-old isn't so much older than the newborn that she is disinterested.

How Anna Claire helps with the new baby:
Before Madeline was born, I envisioned Anna Claire fetching diapers and pacifiers for me, but I couldn't have imagined how many ways she would actually help out.

Anna Claire loves to hold the baby on the Boppy. This is so helpful to me when I just need five minutes hands-free to pick up the room or pack the diaper bag for an outing. Anna Claire is so gentle with the baby, and Baby Madeline seems to enjoy it as well. I have also read several baby books in the last few months that all express how important this cuddle time is between siblings when the baby is first born for them to effectively establish a close bond.

Anna Claire helps bathe the baby. So far we have only given "sponge baths," but I allow Anna Claire to do most of the bathing, then I go behind her once she's left the room and re-bathe where she may miss and area or step. Anna Claire is made to feel she's doing it herself.

Anna Claire always attends diaper changes. She's not changing diapers, nor does she want to, but she she is so helpful during. She will go fetch Butt Paste or Aquaphor for me if the change is in another room. Most importantly and enjoyably for both girls, Anna Claire entertains Madeline during the change. She talks to her and they look at one another in the mirror. She also turns the lamp on and off for me at the changing table. And it's her job to make sure Madeline's paci makes it to and from the nursing station.

I am wowed at how much Anna Claire is helping with chores. She is clearing the kitchen table after dinner all on her own. We've never asked her to do it. She just started doing it after the baby was born and has been taking care of this for us ever since! She's also picking up all of her toys after bath and putting them away, as well has hanging up the wash cloth to dry and peeling the non-skid fish from the bottom of the tub after bath. Anna Claire also gets snacks herself, or will run downstairs to fetch something for me or relay a message to Larry for me.

She is embracing being more independent these last few weeks, and it couldn't have come at a better time. We were helping her with so many things, admittedly more than we should help a four-year old. I am almost embarrassed to admit it, but before the baby, we were still dressing her for school, brushing her teeth, putting DVDs in for her, and assisting her with handwashing and going potty. Now she is doing these things for herself.

A new baby would entitle any older sibling to be difficult, emotional, jealous, or to act out. But I feel so blessed to be on the other end of the spectrum...that we have a big sister so willing to be an active participant in caring for her baby. She loves her so much!

Sisters

I did a series of the girls together shortly after Madeline was born. This one is my favorite. I see AC working through the jealousy and growing to love her little sister. <3 br="">

Disney Heroes and Princesses on Ice!

I remember having a conversation two or three months ago at small group about Disney Princesses on Ice coming to Bridgestone. When I found out the date, I was so disappointed. It would be the weekend after my due date. There was no way Larry and I could take Anna Claire, but I knew this would be an event that would be so special and exciting for her. The only way I figured she'd be able to go, was if someone else could take her. And Larry and I are not the kind of parents who ask other people to do favors for them. We never want to impose. So, I accepted Anna Claire would just have to miss this event. If we never mentioned it to her, she'd never know what she was missing.

Then, a few days ago, I got a phone call from our friend Paige. Her little girl Amy is one of Anna Claire's best friends. Paige apparently won 4 tickets to the show, had an extra ticket, and wondered if Anna Claire would like to go! What a blessing and answer to a prayer.

 The girls are at Bridgestone as I type this, and Paige has already shared a few pics:

Happy princesses. So sweet!

Sweet girls having a ball.

Popcorn!

Back in the car now. Headed for McD's!

Proud of her cookies. The first thing she showed me when she got home as well. ;)

At McDonald's, Anna Claire shared that she got apples but didn't eat them. Also, apparently the Eisemanns pick their pickles off their burgers. Miss Paige said Anna Claire politely asked for their pickles and was delighted when everyone handed them over to her. She loves pickles!

Anna Claire was hoping they'd get to play at Amy's house for a little while afterward! Looks like she got her wish. Paige shared with me that Amy was nearly in tears when Anna Claire had to leave.

When I asked Anna Claire about the show, she kept mentioning Ursula trying to take Ariel's voice. She said she was really scared of Ursula. She reacted similarly when we saw The Little Mermaid play at the Roxy.

Otherwise she seemed to really love the show. She has been asking us about ice skating. I wonder if you can rent ice skates in her size at the rink near Centennial. Maybe an outing we make this fall or winter. :)

She also shared that they watched Princess and Popstar movie in the car on the way back. We don't have a TV/DVD player in our car, so I'm sure that was way cool to her!

Larry and I are both so grateful to the Eisemanns for taking our sweet girl. And I'm in agreement with Paige that getting to go together made the day even more special for both girls. Anna Claire loves Amy so much!

Big Sister Anna Claire

Grandma and Freddie brought Anna Claire to the hospital to see Madeline for the first time. After they left, Larry and I talked and came to the same conclusion: she seemed jealous and standoffish and we had to do whatever was necessary to make her feel special, included, and loved.

So when she arrived back home on our first night together as a family, it worked out perfectly that I had already nursed the baby and that she had just fallen asleep. I spent those next couple of hours totally doting on Anna Claire, asking her all about her weekend, and hanging onto every word. Lots of hugs and kisses, and telling her repeatedly how much we loved and missed her. I think it got through to her because she went to bed an extremely happy and smiley little girl.

Sisters!

Anna Claire loves to hug and kiss her baby.

As we have continued through this first week, we've included Anna Claire as much as possible with everything.

She helps at diaper changes by bringing me diapers, giving Madeline her paci when she loses it, and getting me new outfits when we require a wardrobe change.

Larry has really involved her in cooking dinner. When planning our menu for the week, he planned for meals she could actively help with. She loves this big girl responsibility and time with her daddy.

Of course, Madeline is relying solely on me for feedings, and I am continuing to heal from the c-section. So taking Anna Claire to and from school and getting her to and from her extracurriculars has fallen completely on Larry. They have both enjoyed this time! She has loved having Daddy come watch her at gymnastics for a change. She has enjoyed bath and bedtime with Daddy too. I selfishly miss these times with her, but it is necessary for a short season until I heal.

My time with Anna Claire has really been from the time she gets home from the Red Barn until dinner. I treasure it and try to make a point to feed the baby whenever Larry takes off to go pick her up. That way I can give her my undivided attention when she gets home. I love hearing about her day, drawing with her, and snuggling.

Anna Claire is still making sure to point out all of the things she can do that "her baby" can't:
"My baby can't have gum, right Mommy?" "My baby can't go to school." "My baby can't sleep in bed."
These comparisons are good to us, because they give us an opportunity to reinforce the advantages of her being a big girl.

We are really proud of how Anna Claire is handling the transition so far. We really shouldn't be surprised though. She is such a sweet, thoughtful, caring, and helpful little girl, and is quickly proving herself to be a sweet, thoughtful, caring, helpful big sister as well.

My first time wearing Madeline. She went right to sleep allowing me to give all my attention to big sis.

Anna Claire sure does love her little sister. Sometimes it can be a little too much love. ;)