“i jus wuv dat baby in day-uh,” (I just love that baby in there) Eloise said as she laid down her head on the pillow tonight. “I can’t wait to be a big sista!” Above most everything else, this has been the topic of conversation with our baby girl for the past number of weeks or months, and it’s crazily endearing. I may have mentioned this in a previous post, but E does not get through a single prayer time without reminding us to pray and thank God that she gets to be a big sister. Every meal, every bedtime. My heart is so full at the thought of her holding this baby for the first time–it’s hard not to anticipate the joy.
Growing up so fast.
A few weeks back, I asked Henry some questions, interview style, about becoming a big brother again. Today was Eloise’s turn, and she apparently enjoyed the process, because she kept asking me for more questions as I’d finish up. Here are her candid thoughts on the big change that’s coming soon in her world.
- How do you feel about becoming a big sister? “Good. Yes.”
- Why? “Cuz I wike to hewep it. Pway if it. Uhhh, feed it.” (Because I like to help it. Play with it…)
- Is there anything that you’re worried about? “Ummmm, no.”
- Do you want the baby to be a boy or a girl? “A guwl.” (A girl.)
- If you have a sister, what will you name her? “Uh, Anna.” (As in, Frozen.)
- What is the hardest thing about waiting for baby? “Mmmm, lemme sink about it. Waiting to pway wif it. Waiting to feeding and pway wif it.” (Lemme think about it. Waiting to play with it…)
- What are you excited to do with the baby? “Eh…wock it.” (Rock it.)
- What makes you a great big sister? “Ummm, wubbing da baby’s back.” (Rubbing the baby’s back.)
- Is there anything else you want me to know about the baby? “Yeah. Wemme fink about it. I finked about putting it on the couch. Just bwinging toys ova and pwaying if it. Wike deez animows dat ahh squishy.” (Lemme think about it. I thinked about putting it on the couch. Just bringing toys over and playing with it. Like these animals that are squishy (holds up a plastic blowfish from her sea animal set).
- What story will you read to the baby? ” Uhh, I wiw weed Fancy Nancy. And Fwozen.” (I will read Fancy Nancy and Frozen.)
- What song will you sing to the baby? “I fink Sophia. Mmhmm. I wiw. How about Fwozen? Anything fwozen I can get it? Fwozen ice packs?” (I think Sophia (the First). Mmhmm. I will. How about Frozen? Anything frozen I can get it? Frozen ice packs?)
- Where should we take baby first? “Um, Disney Wu-oud. I was going to say coffee shop. AAAND Disney Wu-oud.” (Disney World)
- What do you want to teach the baby? “Um, ha-ut backpack. And Disney Wu-oud. And putting it in the toy stwhoa-wah. (Heart backpack. And Disney World. And putting it in the toy stroller.)
I’ll love asking Eloise to weigh in on these areas again once she’s navigated the whole big sister gig for a bit. I imagine there will be plenty of fun in the experience for her, but I’m also praying for peace in her heart as she works through the harder changes that are coming, too.
I’m so thankful that the kids are at ages where they can both process so verbally about baby on the way. I can say with assurance that some of their thoughts and feelings are surfacing in different ways, too, but being able to talk about it has been so good. They both reflect on how we’re making room, on sharing things with the baby, and on what it will be like for me to go to the hospital and stay there with baby for a few days. It’s sweet that they want to understand it all as much as they can.
The countdown is finally real and tangible for their hearts to grasp, which makes everything that much more real for us as parents, too. These remaining days are sweet gifts with our first babies as our third grows and grows. Not much room to go in this belly anymore…it all feels quite within reach!
soon and very soon…
mm
