Sunday, February 21, 2010

Big sister speaks

How does one introduce an upcoming baby to a toddler? How do you ensure that the toddler will accept the baby and love the baby?

It all started many moons ago when K and I took a trip to Parkway Parade after hanging out at my mil's place. We were at the foodcourt having lunch. I had just found out that I was expecting no.2 so this must have been about Oct '09 thereabouts. These days in sg, everywhere you look, you would see a preggie woman, a pram or a baby in a sling. Is it baby boom again? But somehow it seems the govt is still frowning at the low stats. Oh well.

Yes, so we saw an expectant woman who was quite advanced into her pregnancy. So I pointed out the huge belly to K (discretly of course!) and told her that there was a baby inside. I also told her that our friend, Michelle, was also expecting and had a tiny baby within her belly too. Incidentally, K adores Michelle. She very often looks for her in church.

That night while putting her to bed, I told her that I had a tiny baby inside my belly too. She then said, "Aunty Shel, baby inside tummy." I dunno if she heard me. I guess she must have and then made the connection to what I had told her earlier that day.

From that day on, we would encourage her to speak to the baby and introduce herself as Jie jie. On her own accord, she would sometimes hug my belly and say that she was hugging the baby. She would also lift up my top and kiss my belly, also insisting that she was kissing baby. I am always encouraging towards such behavious except when we are outside of course and even when we have passed the half an hour mark lolling/singing/chatting in bed before bedtime. I hope to encourage a bond even now.

These days after she has showered her affection on my belly, she would ask me to hug baby, meaning hug my own belly. She has also asked me to kiss baby as well. Haha. I'd definitely need more than just a pair of giraffe's lips I think. So I would oblige (hug I mean) but make sure I hugged her and told her I loved her too.

We have stopped referring to her as baby now. We now call her our little toddler. She likes the term and is able to identify with it since that's what her class is called in school. We are leaving the term "baby" to her sibling.

While we were lolling in our bed on Saturday after her nap, K was stroking my belly. Really catching us by surprise, she said, "Don't worry. Baby's ok."

We were completely surprised. Firstly, were we worried? Hmmm....I guess I am. Cos this baby is much much more active than K. So I'm praying he doesn't turn out hyper-active, ADHD or anything. Must be the hazzardous paranoia of working in ACPS where such conditions are quite rampant. Also, that was my apprehension with having boys. They don't really just sit there quietly eating a cookie, isn't it? They sort of kick around and jump around while gobbling a cookie, while ensuring that the whole floor is covered with crumps? Secondly, we are going to have the detailed scan tomorrow. I'm really hoping that the report will show that everything is in order and baby is doing great. Did she know? Is she being prophetic?



I had to post this photo. P has commented that my recent posts lack photos. Which is a fair comment. I know he would hate this photo but I really like it. How long more will she be able to sit on his shoulders? And if you are wondering what she is doing, well, she was kissing him. Awww. Isn't that precious? And check out where her fingers are. She would stick her little pointers into P's ears while she held his ears for support.

A side note. Finally after 26 months, I am confident to say that I can wean our little toddler when I want to. Yay!

2 comments:

Fung Peen said...

Sigh, I look retarded. But K is sooo cute.

Fung Peen said...

I'd like to believe that K has the gift of prophecy. :)