Our Two Littlest Loves

Well, just over two months have passed, and our family's two littlest loves have been through quite an adjustment. With EmmaLee already steeped in "Third Child Syndrome," we wondered how a new baby would affect her already fragile persona. I hoped that having someone in the house littler than her would help her feel like a big girl and be a boost to her self-esteem. She could become mommy's little helper and feel a special stewardship over the new little visitor. I worried; however, that the new baby would make her feel displaced and further drive her towards wanting more attention , whatever the cost. Since Mason has been born, I have to confess, we've been through a little of both.

When we came home from the hospital, Emma was enchanted with the new little creature lying in the car seat. She loved to look at his little hands, watch mommy feed him, and of course, "hold you." (It was quite confusing for a few days because Emma would say "hold you" or "hold me" and we would have to establish whether she wanted to be held or whether she was asking to hold the baby. Finally she learned to say "hold baby" or "hold Mason" simplifying the request.)
Here is a picture of EmmaLee holding her new baby brother shortly after we brought him home from the hospital:



In addition to holding Mason, in the weeks after we got home from the hospital, Emmie also wanted to help take care of him by wrapping him in his blanket, showing him toys, and helping change his diaper. (After being peed on a few too many times, we were grateful that Grandma and Grandpa McArthur got Emma a little diaper bag and changing set for Christmas so that Emma could just change her baby's diaper when mommy changed Mason's diaper instead of being on the front lines of Mason's diaper changing disasters.)
Here are some shots of Emma taking care of her new baby brother, both literally and vicariously:







Not long after the holidays ended, however, and everyone returned to their own homes, the feelings of displacement finally set in. The transition to having four children on our own had to be made. And without Grandma and Grandpa or Daddy or Uncle Kyle around, Emma started to feel the change and desired her old place as "littlest love". The problem was confounded by four new teeth trying to make an entrance into Emma's little mouth. For a few weeks things were pretty rough. Nightimes were split with Mommy taking Mason and Daddy taking Emma--who now was waking up all night long. Daytimes were a constant adventure with mom often juggling two babies in her arms and being completely exasperated by the time daddy arrived home at night. As January drew to a close, and Nick prepared to leave town for a conference in Georgia, we knew that we needed a little help. Thankfully, Grandma McArthur flew out for a few days, followed by a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Hoskins. Mommy and Daddy were renewed, Emma's teeth finished coming in, and all of the kids, including Emma, seemed to bounce back from our month of madness.

Now Emma is back to her usual self, her usual mischief, and her love of taking care of baby Mason. In fact, just the other day I snapped this photo of our two littlest loves:



Our little family, which has somehow grown into not being so little anymore, is embracing it's newest member and finally settling back into our life. Thanks to all of our friends and family for helping make the adjustment possible. And thanks be to God for the blessings of family. We sure do love ours!