Big Brother, Little Sister

I suppose the fear of ever parent with a second child on the way might be how will the first child react to having a sibling. Let's just say we were mildly concerned about Mason. Even though he gets plenty of interaction with other kids at day care, he has major bouts with mine-itis and hasn't developed an understanding of the word "gentle". Throw in Mason's need for stability and routine plus the usual backlash from the changes a new baby brings, and we thought we might have our hands full.

Thankfully Mason has been an excellent big brother from day one. When he came to the hospital to meet Mya, he seemed to understand what had happened, acknowledged her, and then proceeded to find the buttons on my bed far more interesting. Since then he can't get enough of her. If she's lying in her Boppy on the couch, he wants to lie next to her. If we're holding her, he wants to hold her too or at least hold her hand or kiss her. Before he leaves for day care, he has to give her a kiss just like us. He has, of course, had several melt downs and has been little too rough with her from time to time, but overall it's been a wonderful transition.

Before ending this post, I have to share one big brother Mason story. The first time we took Mya into day care with us to pick him up, another little boy stood and looked at her in her carrier. When Mason noticed this, he put on his "angry eyebrows" and told the other little boy "Hey, that's not your sisser! That's my sisser!" Yes, we know that's the mine-itis sneaking up again, but we couldn't help but believe he was trying to protect her too. I can almost imagine him saying the same thing to a different boy in about 15 years.

Welcome Little One

She wasn't early, she wasn't late, she was right on time. Our due date was June 27th, and I went into labor at 8pm on June 27th. In my last post I talked about how different my pregnancies were - the labors were complete opposites as well. My water broke at home with Mason, and didn't break until we were at the hospital and I was 7 cm dilated with Mya. The contractions with Mya were frequent and fierce, and slow and spaced out with Mason. Finally, and thankfully, labor with Mya lasted only 4 hours, while it lasted 12 with Mason. About the only things that were similar were the epidural and the joy we felt when she arrived.

Mya Carolyn Mattens, born June 28, 2011 at 12:17 am. She checked in at 7 lbs 2 oz and 20 inches long. A full head of brown hair and the requesite steel blue eyes. She actually looks just like Mason when he was born. Can you tell who's who?
















Mason is the top picture, Mya is the bottom. Adam and I feel so blessed to have these little sweeties.