Best Big Sister

Louis was suffering more than usual tonight due to his teething. Very irritable and tired. I've been applying Humphrey's Teething Pellets to his gums and it has helped quite a bit, especially before bedtime. But tonight nothing was cutting it. Not nursing, not his teething rings, not the teething pellets, nothing was helping.

After tucking Leah in for the night she asked if she could lay down with Louis for a bit. I told her he was very cranky and may not be the best company. She was sure she could get him to calm down. She suggested I read to both of them. I read them Judith Viorst's "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" and Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are". Louis laid there next to Leah and listened to me read.

Next she suggested I sing him the same songs I used to sing her when she was a baby (and sometimes do now because she likes them). That did it. He went right to sleep.

She is very gentle with Louis and very patient with us when we need to care for his needs ahead of her's. Many people say "well that is how it is now, just wait a few years it will change" and I cannot help but disagree. I had a very similar relationship with my youngest brother Gilberto and it never changed. As a preteen/teenager I was happy to take him with me everywhere. I suspect Leah is going to have a great bond with her brother as they grow older together.