Emily handled the first two days of a Sebastian-filled world with grace and dignity. The next two days, not so much.
Today, particularly, was a rough one. Temper tantrums like we had never seen before and for no apparent reason. Jan was on the couch feeding Seb (let’s see if that sticks) and Emily actually tried to muscle her way between the two of them. Jan calmly explained that her little brother needed to eat, so Emily jumped up and down, cried like a banshee, and threw herself to the floor. Very un-Emily-like. She then stood up and demanded that Jan pick her up. When she was finished feeding, Jan went to pick her up and Emily freaked out and screamed, “No! Don’t pick me up!”. So she put her down and Emily demanded to be picked up again. There was another incident later on with different juice types, but I think you get the idea.
Emily needs her fair share of attention. We decided to go on a family outing to a nearby park and take turns playing with Emily. It was mommy and baby’s first time out of the house. Jan played football with Emily and then I went down the slides with her. Jan pushed Emily on her bike and then I climbed walls with her. All smiles and laughs and good cheer and songs. Until we got home.
We understand that this must be very disorienting for Emily and that this is very much a normal process when a new child appears out of nowhere. Patience, love, and understanding.
So, in an effort to pay special attention to Emily, I will now pick up where we left off with our Recording Sessions. I’ve still got a few videos left from that fateful morning so here, for your viewing pleasure, is a retrospective of Emily singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star – first from when she was two years old, then five months later.
Emily, 24 months
Emily, 29 months
For the record, I did not teach her to sing, “Up above the sky so high”. In fact, we have had many heated conversations in which I tried to explain how a little star can’t really be above the sky since the sky extends on to infinity, so there is no above. The star is logically above the world. Emily obstinately argues her point and insists that it is I who don’t know the correct lyrics. In the end, we inevitably agree to disagree.
I love how she ends each song with a desperate need to see the video on the camera. Some things never change.
When my brother was born I was five years old. I got him tenderly. Apparently was enjoying the arrival of a new member in the family. But developed an unexplained fever that lasted several days. The doctor diagnosed the fever: jealousy of the brother!
Good to see Jan is match fit so soon!
When my younger sister was a baby I dropped a toy double decker bus on her head but she forgave me and we get along fine now.
I really hope that mom takes the time to relay some interesting Josh vs. Amanda stories here.
I love my older brother very much.
Funny I was just thinking about that. I remember when Amanda was a bit older and I had moved her into a crib out side my room (over one year of age), every time I put her into bed, I would go downstairs and five minutes later she would be crying. It was so frustrating, one time, I just sat at the top of the steps to wait for her to wake up again, when lo and behold, cute little Josh, about four years old, snuck into the room and started poking her until she woke up. Oh well, so much for sibling rivalry. He had been King of the Hill for three years and then this little one comes along to steal his thunder.
Times change, Thank god, all children grow at different rates, they say life is a process and each one of us has their own.
I love all my children and appreciate each one of them for who they are, at each step of their process.
Love, Mom
That’s awesome! our lil Noah’s gonna have to start learning the lyrics…