big sisters

Butterfly is such a wonderful big sister. She loves to help me with the baby, is eager to fetch diapers, clothes, blankets or toys when I ask. She loves to hold the baby's hand (not always the best idea) and is really good about helping me with her in the car (telling me if she's asleep or giving her the binky). Lately she's begun talking for the baby such as "mom! I need my binky!" or "mommy, I don't want to be in my carseat, get me out!" But my favorite is how easily she can get the baby to laugh. She talks to her and coos at her in the same silly voice I do and AngelBaby's face splits into a huge grin every time. Butterfly will exclaim, "look I got a smile face!" and keep going until the baby starts to laugh, an adorable hiccup giggle.

Ladybug is a well intentioned big sister but still learning (bless her heart). She wants to help and talks to her and smiles at her. She tries to hold her arms or play with the baby's hands but I usually intervene since Ladybug's high energy and enthusiasm usually mean she's not quite gentle enough. (Or I've even caught her trying to pick the baby up, she wants so badly to hold her.) She tries to give the baby her binky but if AngelBaby doesn't take to it right away, Ladybug keeps trying and usually pushes too hard until the baby cries. She does help me by getting diapers and blankets though and she usually picks up the discarded diaper and takes it to the trash without me even asking. The best is when I throw it into the trashcan from across the room and Ladybug chastises me for throwing--especially if I miss, then she orders me to go pick it up and say sorry.

AngelBaby is growing fast, already well into her six month sized clothing. She smiles easily, laughs easily, loves to be held and is generally perfect. She has started sleeping through the night (8-9 hours and then usually sleeps 2-3 more after a feeding) but sleeps less during the day (we're down to two naps already). She loves to lay on her back with a toy mobile above her (we have a special "wiggle blanket" that the big girls know not to touch when baby is using it, this gives her a little bit of space without being stepped on). She's a good eater and is gaining weight quickly--I love her chubby cheeks. When she smiles, her whole face lights up and her cheeks rise in their round fullness. Even with a binky in her mouth, her smile is so obvious and so adorable. We have a diaper explosion about once a day, but since she loves being naked, I'm tempted to suggest she might be doing it on purpose. She wiggles and grins and kicks her bare feet and then goes quiet and sullen when I tuck them back into a sleeper. And she has become such a chatterbox! She babbles and coos for extended periods of time and it makes me melt!