Big Brother Holden - How He's Adjusting...

I know a lot of you are wondering how Holden is adjusting to being a big brother.  While pregnant, I was so worried about how having another baby would affect Holden.  I felt like he was so little and just not ready.  I worried he would feel abandoned, left-out, jealous, etc.

So how is he doing?

I think he is doing really well.  As well as expected for an 18 month old boy.  When he "met" Brooks in the hospital, he pretty much couldn't have cared less.  He pointed and said "bay-bee" a couple times but that was about it.  He was not interested in looking at him closely, being close to him, holding/touching/kissing, etc.  The hospital room was much more exciting and interesting.  Lots to explore.  We weren't at all surprised at his reaction (or lack thereof).

At home, he pretty much goes about his business as usual and doesn't pay Brooks a whole lot of attention.  At the same time, he doesn't seem to mind or be jealous when I'm holding or nursing Brooks.  He will often come sit beside me or attempt to crawl into my lap as well.  This is a bit challenging - 26 lbs. vs. 8 lbs. - but I can usually manage to hold them both or put Holden right next to me.  Holden definitely does not realize that he is a lot heavier than Brooks and doesn't quite grasp "being gentle."  Any object he is playing with has the potential to be hurled in Brooks's direction at any second... not out of malice but simply because he just doesn't "get it" yet. I credit this to his age and the fact that he is a boy.  He doesn't have that "motherly instinct" that little girls seem to almost inherently/naturally display with their baby dolls, stuffed animals, etc.  He's a boy...through and through. ;)

That said, he does show some love and affection to Brooks every once in a while.  He "held" him during the first few days of us being home and laid his head on him to kind of snuggle him and was very smiley and sweet.  He has laid his head on him and said, "awww" quite a few times since.  Over the past couple of days, he has seemed more interested in Brooks.  I have been bringing the rock 'n play sleeper into the living room in the mornings with Brooks in it... and Holden seems to like standing next to it with his arms in it/on Brooks and just look at him.  It's quite the precious sight to behold.

During our first few days home, I think maybe Holden was a little bit whinier than usual.  However, I feel like he has already gotten quite used to Brooks being around and he seems like his happy normal self!  No worse for the wear. ;)

I'm excited to watch the relationship between these boys grow.