Bean,  Family,  Gracie,  Parenting,  Siblings

Learning to Be a Big Brother

March 30, 2011 /


If I could have chosen the smoothest transition possible for Bean and Gracie, it would have been exactly what’s been happening in our house right now. Bean seems to have been born to be a big brother. He isn’t infatuated with Gracie, but he has a good, healthy interest in her. For the most part, he’s going about his day like normal. He’s playing with his toys, reading his books, hanging with me and Chris, but whenever something is happening with Grace, he’s right there by our sides to help.

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We got Bean a stool to use in Gracie’s room. He can drag it over to the changing table and help there or he can drag it over to the crib so he can see her when she’s sleeping (though she isn’t sleeping in her crib yet). He really loves being able to see everything.

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But his favorite part about Gracie is whenever he gets to help. He likes to bring me bottles or burp cloths or throw away diapers. He helps me pick out her outfits and he gets to choose which blanket we wrap her in. We try to let Bean make the decisions when it comes to Gracie as much as possible. It makes him feel like he’s part of what’s going on and he loves all the new things he gets to do since her arrival.

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We have to sort of watch though because Bean is still a pretty little, rough dude. Sometimes when he gets really excited he also gets really rough. Balls fly, cheeks are violently kissed, and arms flail around wildly. It’s all out of happiness and excitement, but around a newborn it can be a teeny bit dangerous. Specifically the golf ball thing. We are really trying not to get on to Bean as much as possible right now so that he thinks this is all a positive time for us and we especially don’t want to turn these episodes into big issues because he really does mean well. So, instead of getting on to him, we just try to remove him from the situation when we see him start to get overly excited. Chris might take him outside for a while or we might send him off to find something in his room for a while. Then, he can be silly and rough and excited and we’re all still happy and proud of him, but he’s not…you know…threatening Gracie’s life.

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Those times though are pretty rare and have only happened a few times in the past couple days. For the most part, Bean is an excellent big brother. Yesterday, he took a big step and SHARED MR. BEAR WITH GRACIE!

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I couldn’t have asked for a better transition for Bean and Gracie. She seems to really like him and responds to his voice when she hears it by turning her head towards him when he talks. And Bean really seems to be in love with her already. He whispers, “It’s okay, Gaycee” when she cries and he runs for a binky whenever he thinks she might need one.

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In short? Bean’s awesome. Gracie loves him. And that makes me one happy, proud, blessed Momma.

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38 Comments

  • Tracy B

    March 30, 2011 at 10:58 am Reply

    These are such precious times. My kids are 10 & 7 now. Everyone tells you how quickly this time will go, but in the whirlwind of newness it’s hard to imagine that. Your photos of Bean and Gracie together have literally brought tears to my eyes – beautiful!

  • Diana @ A Little Bit of Life

    March 30, 2011 at 11:03 am Reply

    Just precious, Katie! Bean looks like he’s an awesome big brother and Gracie is so lucky to have him protecting her for her whole life. Dh and I are hoping our next is a little girl too.

    Until they hit high school at least and all those boys are interested in Jellybean’s little sister. Then we’re investing in taser’s and barbed wire.

  • Suzanne

    March 30, 2011 at 11:07 am Reply

    He is so sweet and she is beautiful, I love it! I was my younger sister, Shannon’s “little mama” as my parents called me because they did the same thing with me-involved me in everything about her.
    Now you need a “Gracie Girl” page for her updates 🙂

  • Kristen

    March 30, 2011 at 11:10 am Reply

    I think we need some Bean and Gracie videos. Seeing these pictures and reading about him talking to her makes my lady parts SCREAM for not one, but two babies immediately.

  • Robin

    March 30, 2011 at 11:21 am Reply

    So happy for you guys! I haven’t yet said Congrats on Gracie, so here it is – Congratulations! And I am very happy to hear that the transition is going smoothly. I think I’m going to have to go back and look at our pictures from when my son was born. My older daughter was so wonderful with him, and your pictures of Bean and Grace remind me of their little moments together. Treasure them!

  • Amy

    March 30, 2011 at 11:21 am Reply

    Watching them interact has to be one of the best blessings in the world 🙂 …. I always suspected that I wanted 2 children someday, and now I know beyond a shadow of a doubt!

  • Robyn

    March 30, 2011 at 11:56 am Reply

    When I had my 2nd child, the only voice that he would respond to when he was born was that of his 2 year old sister. To this day she is 10 and he is 7 and when he is sad or hurt, if im not around he goes straight to her to heal the hurt. I am so happy for you guys! You have a beautiful family!!

  • Tressa

    March 30, 2011 at 11:58 am Reply

    I’m SOOOOOOO happy to hear the Bean man is taking to Gracie well. What a blessing! So far so good. Better then what you stressed over before her arrival. See, no reason to sweat the small stuff 🙂

  • Mommy, Esq.

    March 30, 2011 at 12:06 pm Reply

    Adorable! He’s much more interested in her then my twins where in their younger sister. What is your plan for him while you are on leave? Will he be home with you all summer or will you continue to do daycare? I know that money is tight but if you can swing it keeping him in daycare a couple of days a week will make the transition easier in the fall. And give you time to be with Gracie and bond solo like you did with Bean. I’m so pleased you’re still blogging so much – I know how overwhelming it can be!

  • Tiffany

    March 30, 2011 at 12:15 pm Reply

    That’s so sweet it made my teeth hurt. Katie, you are such a lucky momma to have those wonderful kids and it’s fantastic that Bean has taken such an interest in Gracie already! Congrats to you on both of your blessings!

  • Waiting for Bulgaria

    March 30, 2011 at 12:31 pm Reply

    Okay, seriously you have got to stop posting sweet pictures of Bean and Gracie. My tear ducts and mommy hormones cannot take it. But in all seriousness, that is so stinkin sweet. And I’m sure Gracie will survive . . . and be able to wrestle with the best of ’em 🙂

  • Lee Ann

    March 30, 2011 at 12:41 pm Reply

    Watching the dynamics between these two is going to be fun. I was a little more than 24 months old when my brother was born. You should hear my mother tell about how about two days after they brought him home, she came out of the kitchen into the hallway … only to see me carrying my newborn brother down the hall toward her. Somehow, I had gotten him out of the crib and thought I needed to take him to her. She said she just held her breath and hoped I didn’t drop him, which I didn’t. But to this day, I always kid him and tell him that I should have dropped him on his head! Ah, sisterly love!

  • Tara@ourlifeinthedeepend

    March 30, 2011 at 2:35 pm Reply

    How wonderful that he is so into her. I have heard horror stories about what happened when bringing a new sibling home. Without a doubt God knew when Bean could handle it and how he would handle it with such grace, pun intended. 🙂 I am excited to read the adventures of these two! It makes me think 2 years apart with siblings is truly a magical number.

  • Jen @ caved in

    March 30, 2011 at 3:30 pm Reply

    I love that he shared mr bear with her. My mom said I tried to put my sister in the dishwasher so almost anything is better than that.

    I’m jealous of how warm it must be in Florida for her to be dressed like that. Sullivan is still wearing fleece hoodies around.

  • Nikki

    March 30, 2011 at 4:50 pm Reply

    Every post that you have posted in the past few days has brought tears to me eyes. Creepy? Probably. Am I embarrassed, just a bit! But you’re family is just too darn cute! I can’t wait for more updates!

  • Cindy In Owensboro, KY

    March 30, 2011 at 5:28 pm Reply

    Those are some really precious pictures of Bean with Gracie!! I’m glad that the transition is going well so far. Congratulations:)

  • Ella

    March 30, 2011 at 7:58 pm Reply

    Im so glad everything is going so well. Cute photos. My 3yo son was sitting on my knee while i was reading this post and he wants to go to Beans house to play and wants Bean to come to his birthday party! Nice thought but we are in Australia! Hope you are feeling well Katie!

  • Liss

    March 30, 2011 at 8:30 pm Reply

    Oh, Katie, stop it! You’re making my baby fever explode off the charts! With a little guy around the same age as Bean, that little voice saying, “Oh, but what if…?” is getting louder. 😛 Bean and Gracie are honestly so lovely, oh my gosh. No wonder you’re proud. 🙂

  • Whitney

    April 1, 2011 at 10:53 pm Reply

    I just can’t get over how fast time flies. It seems like Bean (and Weebie) were JUST that size. Wow. I’m glad Bean loves her so much. What a blessing.

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