While JR and I try to figure out the logistics of parenting two kiddos, one thing is for certain – Lizzie is in love with her baby sister!

Every morning after she wakes up, she races downstairs to see baby Charlotte before heading off to school.  She heralds her arrival with a piercing shriek of “Mommmmmmmmmmmmy, where’s baby Charlotte?!”  This is my cue to jump to attention, despite the 3-4 hours of sleep I may have gotten from the night before.  I must be ready to facilitate the “gentle touches”** (read: guard the baby) that Lizzie would like to bestow on her half-asleep newborn sister.  After several hugs and kisses, Lizzie heads off to school – and then the cycle repeats itself once she returns home in the afternoon.

**A special note about “gentle touches.” I’ve learned that using “gentle touches” or “gentle hands” is a foreign concept for most toddlers, especially when it comes to a newborn baby.  You might think your toddler is a master at gentle hands – but that all goes out the window when they are trying to poke and prod their new baby sister or brother.  You realize very quickly that your definition and their definition of gentle varies greatly.  (Ok, perhaps it’s partly due to the crazy new momma hormones pumping through your body too!)

Lizzie is working hard on perfecting her “gentle hands” technique with her sister, and I’m helping her along with constant reminders that Charlotte doesn’t appreciate being poked in the eye or having her cheeks squeezed.  It seems to be getting better each and every day as she realizes that yes, Charlotte is a real human being and not a baby doll.  And let’s be honest, I have to stop myself from squeezing those precious chubby little cheeks from time to time too.

All in all, I’m really proud of Lizzie and how loving she’s been to Charlotte.  It’s been almost three weeks since we brought her home and Lizzie’s excitement for her sister has not waned.  Any time she meets someone new, she tells them she’s a big sister and beams with pride.

Thank goodness Charlotte is living up to the hype! 😉