It’s difficult to write about those close to you without mentioning their names. I’ve been doing this but the writing ends up feeling a bit forced to me, disconnected. I’m taking off the kid gloves and will be naming names going forward, at least the names of the little kids. The big ones will continue to be referenced generically.
Roll call:
The boy (aka, the brother)– the 17 year old
The girl (aka, the big sister) – the 13 year old
Ava – the 4 1/2 year old
Jada – the 2 1/2 year old
Tessa – the newborn
With Tessa’s arrival our household has moved into a whole different plane of existence. It’s a good one. No doubt. Just different, as it should be.
For the longest time Jada has been the baby. We seemed to encourage her to stay the baby over the last couple of years, not knowing for certain if we would be welcoming a third or not. We let her keep her pacifier longer than Ava did. We’ve put off potty training or at the very least have not been very aggressive in moving her from diapers.
We spent so much time with Ava on the basics, letters, numbers, colors shapes and the like. When Jada came along there simply wasn’t as much time for this one on one instruction and instead of the structure we had used with Ava, Jada got OJT (on the job training) with probably the best instructor of all, her sister.
We were always conscious of Jada’s milestones and made sure she didn’t fall behind where we thought she should be. She never has fallen behind but she reached them at her own pace which seems to be the way Jada likes to do things. Ava is different, she likes a schedule. She prefers lists. Jada doesn’t really buy into anything until she has convinced herself that it is the way to go and there is little rushing these revelations. Once we figured this out it made things easier for everyone, especially Jada.
Both Ava and Jada have taken to their new sister incredibly well. We aren’t surprised. These girls are the most nurturing, loving children we know. It sometimes seems they are more in tune with the feelings of those around them than they are their own. We may have nurtured this awareness but there is no denying they were born with it. They really do amaze us each and every day.
Tessa is so lucky to have them as big sisters. As Jada learned so quickly from Ava I’m sure Tessa will learn just as quickly from both Ava and Jada. She will have the benefit of both of their distinct personalities.
Time goes by too quick.
The infant phase passes in the blink of an eye. Before long Tessa will be sauntering around the house with the same confidence and cavalier nature her sisters possess.
It’s best to stay about the business of enjoying the baby Tessa then.
I am so blessed to have those sweet precious babies for nieces. Your words and their sweet faces bring tears (of joy) to my eyes….
It’s so amazing how they develop their little personalities and individualities so early on in life. And it’s wonderful to know that they’ve taken to nurturing their little sister so quickly and easily. You’ve definitely got a great crew there. I’m sure your son feels entirely outnumbered by now.
Tom´s last blog post..BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
That last picture is just precious!! I still cannot believe that our baby is no longer a baby. It really does go by so quickly.
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Thank you so much for sharing the wonderful photos. She is a darling girl (they all are!)
When my youngest was born (she is now 3), her brothers were 2 and 4 and they doted on her. She has remained everyone’s favorite “baby”, even when she’s being wicked.
I am sure that your older girls will have fun teaching her — sometimes even things you would not choose to share! (For instance, my boys are engaged in teaching my youngest the art of the knock knock joke, also how to burp out loud.) I’m sure their ‘teaching’ will make you smile when you need it most.
I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday together. There is nothing like a little one in the house to help you all feel the joy of the season! Best to all of you, MM
Midwest Mom´s last blog post..Cookie Bake Feast at Grandma’s
Dead on with writing and not naming names. When I write I find it a pain and bad writing to constantly repeat “my wife”. I am running out of creative nicknames, so I think I’m going to have to adopt your strategy.
I am having a daughter, my first kid, in March. I was worried about her not having a big brother (like i was to my two little sisters) but after reading your post I feel a lot better about it.
Awesome site by the way, just found it.
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@Beth – … and they are lucky to have you. You do need to drop in more often though.
@Tom – The boy definitely feels out-numbered, but I don’t think he cares one bit. He likes being the protective big brother. You are right about their personalities though. One of my favorite past-times is just studying them.
@Kim – Thanks Kim. We wonder where the time goes too. I can’t believe our oldest will be in kindergarten next year.
@Midwest Mom – You are so right. The teaching does make us smile once we realize who has taught what to whom. May your holidays be blessed as well!
All of your girls are absolutely beautiful. Congratulations on the birth of Tessa. Love the photo of the three girls.
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What a wonderful family you have. Children are such blessings. Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful pictures.
What absolutely beautiful little girls! You are so truly blessed! It really is true.. when we have a newborn we are sleep deprived, cranky sometimes and almost always anxious for that little one to grow older. Tessa is SO lovely and I hope that you can have plenty of days of simply adoring her at this stage. Happy Holidays to all of you!
You are totally right about that time going by quickly. I never really understood what people meant when they told me to enjoy my daughter while she was little. I kept thinking “What’s so great about this? She doesn’t even DO anything!” Now I get it. You have a beautiful family…oh, and Happy New Year!
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