Madison is Adjusting

I must admit, at first, I was a bit worried about how Madison would adjust to being a big sister. The first night at the hospital, she didn't want to hold her brother and wouldn't even give me a hug or kiss. I still think she was a bit scared by seeing me in the hospital bed, barely able to move with IV's and machines hooked up to me. The second time she visited us at the hospital, after much of the equipment had been removed and I could get up and down a bit, she did much better and even sat in bed with me to eat a sub from Jimmy John's. She wouldn't hold Cameron, however, until we brought him home.

The first few nights that we were at home, I was really worried about Madison. She would start sobbing at the drop of a hat, over the littlest things. The first night she clung to me when I was putting her to bed and she begged for me to cuddle with her in bed. Since it was still pretty painful to get in and out of bed, I told her that I couldn't cuddle in bed with her until I felt better. This caused her to sob and sob some more and cling to me. I asked her why she was crying and she said that she was sad because "baby brother had been crying" and then she was sad because she "Wanted a Nuk like baby Brother" and she wanted me to "cuddle her in bed." It was hard and really broke my heart to tell her that I couldn't cuddle her. This went on for a few nights. It was probably harder on me than it was on her - I went to bed in tears for a few nights just because I felt like this was just too much for her. (probably some baby blues too!)

Over the past few days, Madison has done much better. She is a big helper for Mommy! She is the first one to talk to Cameron if he is crying. She will give him his Nuk, cover him up, and give him kisses to make him happy. She even pulled out a book about baby animals today and told him all the names of the animals.

One thing that we did that has really helped is Cameron bought Madison a bath time doll. It came with a little bathtub, soaps, lotions, and even a hooded towel. So, Madison and I both give our babies baths at night. She gets so excited when it is bath night!

Also, Madison likes to feed her dolls while I'll feed Cameron.

So - it is getting better. I still feel bad for Madison because so often she has to wait for attention until I am done feeding Cameron, or pumping, or changing Cameron. We are doing our best to carve out time that is just for her, but it is a tough balancing act!