A Proud Big Sister

Olivia is developing into a great big sister. Not only has she warmed up to Lilly, but she tells me often that she "likes/loves her baby sissy." She enjoys giving her hugs and kisses and takes quite a bit of offense if you don't let her help by picking out the bib, burp cloth, and handing you the bottle. She will help feed Lilly by holding the bottle and burp her by patting her back. Olivia checks on Lilly for me whenever she is in her bed and informs me if anything is out of place (i.e. if Maggie gets too close to her by Olivia's estimation, which means if Maggie is anywhere in the same room as Lilly). Olivia also loves to show her guests Lilly's room. We are really pleasantly surprised about how well she is doing with the transition.

At the same time, we are also noticing signs of jealousy, which can be exhausting to deal with. We are having a terrible time getting Olivia to go to bed anymore, especially if she perceives that Lilly isn't going to bed. I often have to put her to bed in tears as she cries that she wants Mommy or Daddy (depending on who is holding Lilly) to go to bed too. She also has developed an aversion to going to daycare. She never wants to leave in the morning and tells me that she wants to stay home "for a little while." Olivia refuses to eat her breakfast and struggles when I try to dress her, sometimes even stripping off her clothes after I have dressed her to avoid going to daycare. When Olivia comes home from daycare, she most often tells me that her "tummy hurts" and she wants to sit in my lap. This is usually when I hear that she doesn't like Lilly anymore. But after a while she will be kissing her and telling Lilly that it is "okay baby" when she cries.

I guess all these mood swings are very normal for the big sister but they certainly can be exhausting. Running on less than normal amounts of sleep, I am often having to count to 10 to regain my patience in dealing with Olivia's love/hate relationship with her little sister, as well as the "terrible twos." It is certainly a transition for all of us as we adjust to our new family of 4, but all things considered, I think we are doing well.