"Baby Aarons Drink Milk?"

Ever since we found out I was pregnant again, I have been anxious about Noah's adjustment to the new kid in town. Would he feel jealous, apathetic, or excited? He's always been socially graceful--not overly possessive, shy, or aggressive--but this would be a whole new kind of relationship. A home invasion, really.

To my relief, Noah has adjusted beautifully. He loves Baby Aaron. All day long, Noah will ask me where Aaron is, if Aaron needs to drink milk, if I can put Aaron on the couch to play with him, if Aaron wants to eat pizza...

Yesterday, Aaron started fussing upstairs in his crib. Down in the kitchen, Noah turned to me and said, "Baby Aaron make sound. (pause) Go get Baby Aaron."

I even find toys snuggled next to Aaron in the swing (just in case he wakes up and wants to play football!).

Now after weeks of me telling Noah that the bouncy seat, swing, bassinet, etc are "Baby Aaron's," Noah has started calling him "Baby Aarons" all the time. About 30 times a day, he runs up to him and shouts, "Hello Baby Aarons!!" just to check in. Wouldn't want Aaron to feel neglected...

Of course Noah is testing me in many other ways, being officially and behaviorally TWO, but I'm pretty sure his daily disobedience (and subsequent punishments) are more related to his development than any negative feelings toward his little brother.

My only real concern in that department has been Noah's tendency to love on Aaron with vigor. He wants to hug him, jump around him, roll over him, kiss his face (even with a runny nose), and generally treat him as roughly and adoringly as he treats his cousin (who is 5 and a very, very good sport). We're still working out how to encourage the love but discourage the violence. I've tried to demonstrate "gentle" a bazillion times, but it just does NOT mean the same thing to a two-year-old. Ah well. I'll take rough love over malice anyday.