Before Abigail was born Lily drew many pictures with baby Abigail in them, as well as drawings with our whole family. She even wrote “Abby” many times on her drawings, it was almost like she was obsessed with her. Once I got home from the hospital with Abigail I noticed something different about Lily, she had changed. The change wasn’t necessarily bad, it was just that she was acting different. She was almost over acting her enthusiasm for Abigail and acting somewhat ‘spazy’. Her normal actions were louder and bigger and just plain ol’ goofy. She also didn’t create any artwork with Abigail in it.
I think she was almost uncomfortable having Abigail around. We had to help Lily understand how to interact with a baby by teaching her things such as using your ‘indoor voice’ and using a gentle touch when playing with her. Perhaps all these new instructions made her feel a bit out of place in her own home and I can see why many children become jealous of the new baby in the house. Louis has taken some time off of work so that he can spend time with Lily and Abigail and we have made it a point to do special things with Lily as well. We also make sure that she is involved and helps us with the baby by getting a diaper, picking out her clothes or helping to feed her. Lily’s new behavior has tapered off and she is settling back into her own skin. I know that she is feeling better about having Abigail around because when she came home from Preschool on Wednesday she gave me a new piece of artwork.
Lily & Abigail holding hands – 01/27/10
