What’s sweeter than a newborn baby?

When I had my first son, I was a frazzled, first time mother that suffered from the baby blues.  My son was cholici and all I could do was count down the first 3 weeks, first 3 months and the first 6 months.  Then, I couldn’t wait for him to turn 1 so he could start walking and talking.  With my first son, it was all about the firsts, and rushing him through them all instead of enjoying the NOW.

That’s why I vowed to cherish every moment with my second son.  I wouldn’t rush anything.  Instead, I wished for time to slow down and even stop.  I tried to remember every little detail about his first moments of life (which we had documented by a birth photographer) to his first few days and weeks.  The first month went by too fast.  I felt like I was losing my newborn too quickly.

Now that my third son is here, instead of worrying too much about not enjoying the moment or rushing time by, I’m trying not to over analyze any of it.  In fact, I don’t have the time.  My two older sons’ demands are much louder and timely than that of my newborn’s cooes and ahhhs. My newborn spends most of his time eating or sleeping (easy compared to two VERY active kids).

While I honestly didn’t think that there’s anything cuter than a newborn, within the first week’s of my newborn son’s life I discovered I was wrong.  While my son is cute and sweet and unbelievably “yummy”, I found something that makes my stomach turn and ache in a way I never could have imagined.

Older Siblings!

I never could have imagined or dreamed of my older sons being as amazing, caring and loving as they are towards their newborn brother.  The gaze my four year old has for his brother is likes of which I saw on my husband when my oldest was born.  The gentle touch and constant need to see him, hug him, hold him and kiss him are moments that I will make my heart skip a beat and make my stomach flutter.

My older son started junior Kindergarten a few days after my son was born. When we brought him home for lunch, his first request was to see the baby and it’s been the same request every time he’s away from him.  He needs to say good-night to him before bed and he’s the first thing he wants to see when he wakes up in the morning.

My 19 month old is just as obsessed.  When he’s out of the house the only way we can get him back indoors is to tell him that they baby is inside. If we say “want to see Mommy/Daddy inside?” He’ll say “no, no, no” with an arm wave and a shake to his head.  But if we say “Want to see baby?” he jumps up, eyes wide open and says “Baby?” and runs quickly inside.  He’s also just as obsessed with holding the baby, looking at him and patting his head.

I can’t decide what I’m more in love with.  My sweet newborn or his older brother’s love for him.  For now, I’m taking the time to enjoy and cherish both!