Mama Monday: The New Baby

I am buddy posting to Erin's Mama Monday post. This is such a great topic and I feel that I could help out someway by letting you know what we did the two times we had to introduce babies into our family.

Introduction to Pet
1. I know it seems silly but those of you out here with pets think of them as your babies probably. We did with our Jack Russell Terrier. Many of you probably can't forget out crazy dog, Cleatus, from Ohio. He was very aware about a change that was happening. With a tip from a friend we helped ease him into the transition of sharing us with a new little being in our family.

2. We let him sniff out the new baby furniture, Mazie's room, etc. We brought blankets with Mazie's smell home from the hospital so he could get her scent. He seemed to be less anxious when she did arrive and he was very protective of her from the beginning.

OK Now onto humans...Introducing Jamie...
1. When I was pregnant with Jamie, Mazie went to every appointment. She saw all the ultrasounds. In fact, she even has a picture from when we found out Jamie's sex that says, "Mazie's sister". It was pretty cool to her that she had a picture of her sister that was all her own.

2. Mazie was very much involved with getting set up for the new baby. She picked which room she wanted for her and which room would be Jamie's. We transitioned Mazie into her big girl bed at this time as well. She was also potty trained before Jamie arrived which, I think, gave her more confidence when Jamie actually came home. Mazie helped put stuffed animals in the right place, put diapers in the changing area, helped pick out girly things for Jamie to wear.

3. Mazie was one of the only people who could sing to my belly and get a reaction. Jamie loved her sister from the moment she could hear her. They had quite a bond even before they saw each other for the first time. Mazie would brag to Jeremiah all the time that Jamie like her best!

4. Since I was having a repeat c-section, the date of Jamie's arrival was scheduled and my dad was able to come and help out. He drove Mazie back and forth to the hospital. She was there for her birth. She saw Jamie in the nursery while Jeremiah was doing all the firsts and I was recovering. I think Ron and JJ helped out with this part since they were there too. I also made sure I was ready to give her a big squeeze when she came to see me. I wasn't holding Jamie.

5. As soon as she could, Mazie wanted to hold Jamie. It was instant. They were bonded and have been ever since.

6. Jamie had a big sister gift for Mazie. I read this somewhere and thought it was an awesome idea. It was a strawberry shortcake doll and Mazie still sleeps with it in her bed.

7. The only time I had any trouble with Mazie being jealous was when Ron and JJ came to see Jamie. You have to understand that for the first two years of her life, Mazie was around adults and particularly Ron and JJ. They have quite a relationship. Mazie would not do anything to Jamie. She would just act out or get loud or do something that wasn't quite like Mazie. This didn't last long and she learned to share her friends with Jamie!

8. Mazie was all about being a big sister. She nursed her babies when I nursed Jamie. She would help with diapers, clothes, toys. She was very gentle with Jamie and wanted to hold her all the time. Mazie turned 2 in January and Jamie was born in April, making them 27 months apart.

Introducing Jacob...
1. My pregnancy with Jacob was different from the beginning. I went to most of the appointments by myself only because I sometimes waited an hour to be seen. This was not something the girls were ok with since there was nothing to do in the waiting room and you could only read so many books while waiting. Also, the girls had each other so they didn't really bother with the logistics of my pregnancy with Jacob.

2. When I found out Jacob was a boy, the doctor printed out a picture with "big boy" typed on it. I took it home and showed Mazie. She read it and ran off to her room crying. She was determined that this one was a girl and genuinely upset when he wasn't. Jamie was more worried about Mazie than interested in having a baby brother.

3. Mazie came around when we involved them in getting thing ready for Jacob's arrival. We moved the girls into the same room, taking the opportunity to change Jamie into a big girl bed. Jamie was also being potty trained which again helped with confidence in her. They were so excited picking out red and blue things for Jacob, bedding, clothes, toys. They were all about having a brother.

4. Since Jacob was coming by way of repeat c-section, his arrival was planned in advanced and my dad was able to come and help us again. He took the girls to and from the hospital and took care of them while we were there. I also made sure I wasn't holding him when they came to see me.

5. Jacob had big sister gifts for the girls too. They loved that he gave them gifts. The minute they saw him, they both wanted to hold him. They kept kissing his cheeks. In their defense that is all they could kiss on him at first since that is all there was!

6. The girls would nurse their babies when I would nurse Jacob just as Mazie had when Jamie was new. They loved having him around. They were great about giving him space and being gentle. I think Mazie was a comfort for Jamie. Mazie helped Jamie through the transition. When I couldn't do something for her, Mazie was all for helping Jamie out. I think Jacob's birth brought them closer.

7. The only real jealousy thing we had with the girls was when someone would hold Jacob, it was their turn. They had to hold him and not let anyone else do so. This didn't last long because Jacob quickly became way too wiggly and big for them to hold him.

8. I have to add here that we never did any of the sibling classes. Mazie was so involved with everything about my pregnancy with Jamie that we didn't feel it was necessary for her to be in the class. And when I was pregnant with Jacob, Mazie helped Jamie understand what was going to happen. I don't think those classes are bad. They just weren't for us.

9. One more thing. Jacob acts differently with each of his sisters. He likes to play rough and be loud with Mazie and likes to snuggle and be gentle (mostly) with Jamie. I think it's funny that at 15 months he has figured out their personalities so well.

That's what worked for our little family. I hope this helps anyone out there working on #2 or #3 or...