From the minute we announced we were finally ready to give Master H a sibling, the question that quickly followed the obligatory gushes of congratulations was this: “So, how do you think he will handle the competition?”
It was a valid point – this beautiful boy had been the centre of our entire universe for 4 and a half years and having to suddenly share the spotlight surely would not come easily.
Imagining all sorts of worst case scenarios (a skill I have honed to a fine art), I envisaged us having to take turns acting as sentry making sure he didn’t suddenly cart his sister out for kerbside collection, when he realised she was actually here to stay.
So to hear this little sentence that Master H uttered, completely unprompted, yesterday morning over breakfast, said it all:
“I think Zara is the sweetest girl in the whole entire world!”
It’s been a refreshing (and welcome) surprise, seeing him unfurl this previously unseen sweet and sensitive side. Every morning she wakes Master H clamours to be first at her side, cooing “hello little darling”, or if she cries he will do a funny dance for her, trying to make her smile. In fact, if anyone was to be the annoyed party in this relationship it might be the little sister, as she has been known to cry when her big brother’s antics end up a little too over the top! She’s yet to quite understand her crazy big brother and his comedian antics, and sometimes only has a withering stare to offer in return when he gets a little too intrusive of her personal space.
Of course, it isn’t all a Golden Book of good times on the big brother’s part too. During a period of incessant infant unhappiness, Master H grumpily suggested we chance his sister’s name to “LOUD” (pot.kettle.black) and on another occasion when we weren’t bowing down with immediacy to his demands (due to the fact we had a baby to tend to, how rude!) he sullenly suggested it was maybe time to give the baby girl back (to whom, I am not quite sure…)
Naturally, this explosion of adoration cannot last forever. I’m betting the minute Lady ZaZa is crawling and able to infiltrate his space (and god forbid, his toys) the expiry of this loved up sibling state seems a sure thing.
But, all in all it is safe to say I have never been happier to have been wrong in predicting future behaviour. And until she is messing with his perfectly crafted replica of Jurassic Park or pulling apart his painstakingly built Lego creations the big brother seems more than happy to keep showering his beloved “darling sweetie” lil sister with more love than I have ever seen him express for anything before in his life – even more than his adored Eye-ore…
Oh and it’s so sweet!
I remember when we brought Ava home from the hospital, the first thing Bailey did was offer her his beloved ‘cuski’ (blanket.) It was just the sweetest thing ever.
That is so cute hun and doesnt it just make your heart melt with pride and love. xx
Best gift in the world is a sibling.
Beautiful! I remember my eldest daughter’s response the first time she met our fourth child (she was five), she peered closely at the new baby, gently patted his head and said “he’s nice, but I don’t think we need any more babies, mum!” 🙂
Just wait until she gets just a wee bit bigger and they can actually play together and chat together . . . it is an amazing sight to see. It is in those moments when I know that two was the perfect number for our family.
I love this so much. Good work Harrison!
Jaden too has shared his beloved Boonie with Mia when she cries and its just so sweet