BB has got the most charming giggle. She likes jiggles and raspberries best, and leg waggling. It only tends to happen when SB not around, as then there is too much noise, chaos and possibly outright fear! I think BB has the best dimply smile ever anyway, but now she has this giggle instead of just wide open mouth, totally irresistible.
Sibling Issues: I think SB is jealous of the feeding of BB, and certainly if I pay BB attention at other times, it is not well received. Though i’m also in no doubt that SB really does love BB, and is really glad she is here. She often spontaneously hugs and kisses her, and tries to entertain her too. I’ve been trying to get SB really interested in something, and then do an extended nappy change so we can play. I leave the nappy off, so when SB comes up investigating [5 mins max before she is bouncing all over our bed] I can tell her its botty airtime. I’m not quite sure how best to do this.
I have always given SB a lot of attention, and don’t want her to feel that she’s not wanted as much now BB here. [I don't think she feels this at the mo] , but I certainly have had to do a lot of hard work on my relationship with SB since i went to work in Cambridgeshire before my mat leave, to get back to our previous loving position, and don’t want to jeopardise this. Particularly as I am returning to work in May. however, also love BB, and she is getting to that age where being cuddled and smiled at with a kick under her gym is not enough – although she is happy enough. SB will play on her own, but she prefers me to play with her, particularly if I am otherwise playing with BB. I do try and include her, but SB is so full on, that she can get too boisterous. When both of us here, its obviously easier. I’m hoping we can ease into a compromise pattern, but any clues??
Too wined up to put anything sensible but just wanted to say how much I wish you lived nearer – I know you are moving further south, but not much further relatively speaking to Sussex
I really do think that by being mindful of the relationship with SB you are doing all you need to do. Although I often refer to my two as ‘the kids’ in blogland I am aware of having seperate and individual relationships with them as people as opposed to just my offspring. This has only happened since Scarlett became a person as opposed to a small baby. I have never quite worked out whether age gaps make any difference at all, I am totally aware that our planned age gap coming true was pure luck and good fortune, but I do maintain that by being mindful of our relationships with each other as four seperate people (me, Ady, D and S) all interacting and living with each other needing to develop and grow was key to the fact that we all do now have seperate and special bonds within that foursome – and you will too!!!
I know there is the whole birth order, gender, age gap thing to be considered (and IMO mainly chucked away too!) but the six seperate relationships (me and Ady as a married couple, me and Davies as my son, me and Scarlett as my daugher, Ady with Davies as father and son, Ady with Scarlett as his DD and Davies and Scarlett as brother and sister) within the family which exist alongside us as a family unit all have their own dynamics going on which as the children grow older and into people in their own right will change and shift and the best you can do is be aware of them and deal with them as they arise.
You are doing a fab job Helen, as wife, mother and friend and as Helen in your own right and will juggle that with being Dr J again when the time comes just fine xxx
youre so nice to me!