Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Sisters


I must admit that I was pretty damn excited when I learned that I would be having two girls. Sure a boy would have been great too. But deep down, I think that I really longed for two girls. My sister and I are two and a half years apart and have always been close. Growing up we were very different children. As toddlers/preschoolers I was bossy and demanding while Jaime was quiet and compliant. In school I was a studious bookworm whereas she was social and athletic. We still maintain many of these differences as adults, but they somehow seem less significant now. I always know that I have her to talk with and confide in no matter what, and she always gets where I am coming from. I can't help but want the same for my two girls.

One of the big questions we get these days is whether Jillian likes her little sister. So far the answer is overwhelmingly yes. Within an hour of arriving home from the hospital, Jillian picked up the word "baby". Since then it has been baby this and baby that, and this past week she has begun saying "sissy". If she hears that baby cry in the morning, she'll say baby until we go pick her up. If Hayden is still asleep in her crib and Jeramy lets Jillian into our bedroom in the morning (he lets me sleep in) she will run to the pack and play looking for the baby. She likes to hold Hayden (with our help of course), and as you probably guessed from the last post pushing her in the baby stroller was a huge hit. She loves pushing her in the swing despite our protests. For the most part she touches Hayden gently, which cannot be said for how she touches the dog. Poor Cujo.

Of course it is easy to love somebody so helpless and cute. Especially when she is a calm baby who does not demand too much of our attention. We'll see how much she likes he sister when she begins stealing her toys.

This isn't to say that the arrival of Hayden has had no negative impacts on Jillian. She has demanded our constant attention and tantrums have been frequent. However, I can't quite separate out how much of this is due to her age and how much is due to her sister. I'm sure it is a combination of both, and I'm sure things will get better over time. Everybody I have met with two under two tells me that the first year is the hardest. Only 10.5 months left...

11 comments:

Bud2400 said...

I remember when mom would make you and Jaime clean the bathroom together and you two would start fighting, with it always ending in Jaime punching you in the face. :P Seemed like whenever you two had to clean the bathroom up, you always went at it.

Bet you Jillian and Hayden will be something like that too.

Jen said...

I actually don't recall any punching in the face although we had our fair share of arguments growing up.

Bud2400 said...

I totally remember Jaime punching you in the face. You came out of the bathroom crying to mom with your hands over the spot on your face where Jaime hit you. That's a pretty clear memory of mine from when I was like 5 or 6 years old.

Jaime said...

That was a really sweet post Jen!! I'm sure the high school years will be difficult in your household, but the outcome is worth it! I remember plenty of punch-free times when we would stay up all night on Christmas Eve playing Girl Talk, riding the wagon down the hill, making dance routines in the front yard, and plenty more. They will have the same fun memories and hopefully a good friendship too :)

Kelly said...

So cute!! I'm hoping for a couple girls too when that time comes:)

Bud2400 said...

I'm not trying to imply that all you two ever did was fight. I'm just saying, it ain't gonna be all sugar and lollipops, particularly during those high school years.

Besides, those punches become endearing years down the road. :P Not trying to be a total negative Nancy here either.

Jen said...

Um Curt, we get it already.

Oh that's another thing good about sisters. Commiserating when their little brothers annoy them :) Of course Jillian and Hayden won't have to worry about that.

Bud2400 said...

How do you know? Maybe 7 years later you'll get an accident, too. Oh wait, I mean a "surprise"!

Sil said...

They are sooo cute!!!!

Katie said...

This is a great post. . . it gives me hope for my very near future! They are just precious together!

Sunny said...

SO adorable! I love it. I can't wait to meet Hayden on Friday, she's already so much bigger.

It's tough on Bean sometimes, having three boys under 3. But I keep telling myself that I am giving him the greatest gift -- a set of brothers who will be with him for the rest of his life.