Sibling Loving

One of my majors concerns is how to help M1 and M2 get along with each other.  I have been reading a lot on the topic and the most common tip I got was to let the older sibling in on the fun.  Let her help with the baby.  How?  Here are a few examples:

1.  When bathing the baby let the older one soap the baby's feet and or legs.
2.  If they want to carry their sibling, sit on the couch beside each other and lay the baby's legs on top of her older sibling.
3.  The older sibling can also wave a few toys in front of the baby.
4.  If you pat the baby to sleep, the older sibling can help you pat the baby's butt.
5.  For the older ones who can control their movements mo, they can help mix the formula for the baby, just make sure the water isn't too hot.

I saw M1 becomse giddy with joy the 1st time her sister squeezed her finger and help onto it tight.  M1 exclaimed "Shobe hold Maxine's finger!".  She loves it too that her sister watches her and her sisters loves watching her because she's so on the go all the time.

Before the baby even arrives purchase books that you can read to him/her about the coming addition to the family.  My friend gave me one and it really helped. Here are some titles.

You can just think of the small ways the older sibling can be involved, the older they are the more they can contribute.  But no matter the age, always be careful with both of them.  It also helped that I let the 2 kids spend time with each other without their momma and poppa.  So M1 got used to having her sister with her without her feeling the need to become crazy jealous.  Everyone has their own personality and will take having a new child in their own ways.  Its all up to the parents to help ease them from solo artist to becoming a duet.

Nursery Decorations

 All moms love to prepare for the coming of their child and one way we do that is to decorate the room.  I love seeing pictures of couples painting the walls of the nursery as they get ready for their new baby.  When we had M2's room made I chose a feminine color because I wasn't allowed to do that with M1's room for the off chance that I'd give birth to a boy.  I didn't and I haven't yet.  So, I got to make this nursery pink.  Poppabear's best bud thought he was having a girl and had his nursery painted pink too!  He also bought butterfly wall stickers from the states.  He had a boy.  His nursery walls were repainted and I got the butterflies.  Thanks Sharon and Gel! :)

I found out that M2 can already see when she kept smiling at her butterflies.  I also heard her first laugh when she laughed at them.  She even talks to them and wakes up happy and quietly because of them.  Yaya even insinuates that she sees "something" there.  She doesn't, she just really loves them butterflies.  Our friend got these at Target in the States but I also purchased other wall stickers.  I got some from HK and a few more here in Manila.  I think they are a great accessory to any room and you can just take them off when the kids out grow the design.  Here are some of the other stickers I have.  I also got a wall measurement sticker that is beautiful and useful at the same time!

Circus Animals from HK

Cute animals around her bed from Nu Dekor

You can purchase these here in manila in bazaars or online.  I got some from Nu Dekor and you can also get personalized ones from Sticky Things.