The day that L was born, E bounced into the hospital room positively gleeful. His grin was widespread and genuine. He was only 21 months old, but he knew the joy of becoming a big brother and immediately climbed onto the bed with me to see his brother's face. He asked to hold him right away and his whole boy emanated pride as he clutched the swaddled bundle of newborn.
The next major adjustment between the two boys came when Lachlan started crawling. Slowly things started to change. E still loved to make L giggle hysterically. He still choose to play with his baby brother. He still went over to him to give him hugs throughout the day. But he also got angry when L came after his toys. He seemed to sense the competition, now that L wasn't 'just' a stationary blob. Tension started to build at times.
Things seem to have ramped up another notch in the last few weeks. L has become very vocal, opinionated, and fast. He doesn't want to be left behind. He follows the older boys incessantly, finding them wherever they go in the house. He deliberately grabs toys and repeatedly gets in the way. And all of a sudden, E has to be the big brother. He has to use words, not hands or feet. He has to be the one to stay calm and walk away. He has to find a solution.
He has to be the bigger brother. And it is so so hard for the little guy.
Lord, give me the grace and compassion to remember that he is still a very little big brother.
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