Brooklyn & Jace: April 2011

I cannot resist capturing moments like this of Jace. These are things you will see typically in a house that has a little girl. I tend to think of myself as an open minded parent, but somehow I don't believe that if I had only boys or just my sweet Jace I would provide him with pink crowns, tutus of any color, and little princesses to play with.

I do like his expression

Jace KNOWS fashion

The Royal Princess Fire Dept (ever heard of them?)

For Jace having a sister often looks like these images:

Plenty of headlocks

Being a personal chauffeur

Not so subtle reactions to your little brother trying to steal your thunder

Being dragged (literally) from place to place or activity to activity.

But I also know for Jace having a sister also looks a lot like these images:

Having a companion for fun adventures

Plenty of kisses

and hugs

And a tight squeeze here and thereFor the last three years I have watched what having a big sister is like for Jace. It started out as a complete lack of interest when he was a tiny baby, to subtle observations that he was around, to complete dominance once he started moving and being interactive, to days filled with companionship and sibling rivalry.

Things Brooklyn won't do for Jace:

She will not let him win, despite the fact that he is a "baby" to her and maybe giving the little guy a break to win in a tricycle race, run faster to get a ball that was thrown across the room, or be the first one up the stairs would boost his little ego - she will not do him that disservice. A win only counts as a win if you actually win, without someone cutting you a break.

She will not let him steal the show. She is very aware if he is getting extra attention and will be sure to upstage him in that event. I think she thinks it will teach him humility.

She will not let him sit on his Mom's lap for too long. As soon as she sees him there for more than 1.5 seconds she will promptly come over and teach him the art of taking turns.

She will not allow him to turn the pages when reading a book together. She is the "teacher" after all.

But more importantly, the things Brooklyn will do for Jace:

She will always get his milk sippy cup out of the fridge when she gets hers and give it to him. She will insist that he say "milk" or "more" before giving it to him, but that is all in line with the quest to get him to use his words.

She will let him get out of the shower or bathtub first to get dressed.

She reminds me when I pick her up from school that we need to go get Jace because he needs us.

She wishes him a "fun day" when he goes to preschool, accompanied by a hug.

She always holds his hand when we are in public and on the rare occasion they are both walking freely (no stroller or shopping cart). She will also kindly remind him "not to run off" and to listen.

She double and triple checks that he has his favorite blankies at night when he goes to bed.

She waits for him at the top of the stairs in the morning so they can walk down together and count the stairs.

She does look out for him always and loves him with all of her precious little heart. She is very motherly to him. I think part of this is she likes to be in charge, but the other part (the bigger part) is that she genuinely loves him and cares about his well-being.

Speaking from experience, being a big sister is an honor and one of the greatest life experiences. I am glad to have given her that gift, and also the gift to Jace to have such a wonderful big sister.

Brooklyn started T-ball at the end of February for her first time. I cannot believe how much she likes it and how well she takes instruction from her coaches. What a difference a year makes (comparing to her Soccer Skillz camp). I loved organized sports as a child and I am so excited to be able to provide Brooklyn with this opportunity, and soon Jace too.

Brooklyn waiting to bat