Clare Update

I was really worried about how Clare would adjust to her new sibling. And it has been a challenge in some ways. She just loves her brother, though. She is so sweet with him: talking to him, trying to soothe him, showing him how to do things. He calms down if she talks to him when he is crying. She has also been a great helper to me - getting out diapers, bringing me baby wipes, grabbing a blanket from another room. Each morning when I go in to get her out of bed, the first thing out of her mouth is "Where's Christopher?"

It has not all been smooth sailing, however. She is definitely more quick to throw a tantrum. She is very clingy to me. She gets very nervous if I go anywhere without her. (This is probably stemming from my two hospital stays last month - I was away from home much more frequently than I've ever been before.) I can tell she misses having my undivided attention.  And the other day we got the first definitively negative comment about Christopher, in the form of a request for him to "go bye-bye."

I think all of the reading we did prebaby actually helped. She will quote things from this book by Fred Rogers in particular. (I highly, HIGHLY recommend it for anyone who is expecting a second or third child, it is a bit old school, but you can just hear Mr. Rogers' voice on each page.) I am sure there will be many bumps in the road, but for now I can say that Clare is adjusting very well. I underestimated her once again.

In other Clare news, the two things she wants to know lately are where various family members' houses are, and what is the first, middle and last name of just about everybody she sees. (Including people on Sesame Street and in books.) She knows her first and middle name, but sometimes struggles to remember her last name. As for the directions, that conversation always goes the same way:

Clare: "Where is Meemaw's house?"
Me: "Shorewood."
Clare: "Where's Shorewood?"
Me: "West of here."
Clare: "Where's west of here?"
Me, pointing: "That way."
Clare, pointing in a different direction: "That way?"

She can count to 11 and can point out several letters by sight. Her speech is great. She has been doing a lot of imaginative play. She loves ECFE, especially the art projects. I am going to get her some more art supplies for Christmas. She still loves music: she sings and dances and plays the piano every chance she gets. Oh, and she informed me the other day, unprompted, that she likes the Packers AND the Vikings. Fine, I GUESS.

Her next challenge: potty training! Dun, Dun, DUN! Oh, and finally giving up that Nuk. But the less said about that the better.