Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Helpful Big Sister


Sisters

Just as we predicted, Zoe has been an amazing big sister. She does a great job letting us know when Ailsa is crying and Zoe wants us to pick her up (as if we couldn't hear Ailsa screaming her head off- wow can she cry loudly!) Zoe does a great job sharing her toys and loves to touch Ailsa's head and hands. Before Ailsa was born, Zoe was convinced Ailsa would come out walking and has been disappointed that this was not true. So lately I have been holding Ailsa up and fake walking her which Zoe thinks is just hilarious. Zoe has also generously offered for Ailsa to use her walker when I have explained that Ailsa's legs are too weak to walk on her own. Good thinking, Zoe- great idea since your walker helps you but I think Ailsa might just be a little too small yet.

Ailsa Wants to Eat

The other night Ailsa was being fussy when I was trying to nurse her so I decided to put her down, eat my own dinner, and then try again. While I was at the table with Zoe, Zoe kept signing something I couldn't quite make out. Zoe was signing something about me, then biting her fingers, and something about Ailsa. I thought she was saying Ailsa was crying (she was) and I was mad at her. But after a few minutes we figured out Zoe was saying she could tell Ailsa was hungry because she was eating her hand so she needed mommy's milk. We had been talking the other day about what it could mean when Ailsa cries- how can you tell if she is hungry vs tired vs bored. I guess Zoe was really paying attention and has figured out that when she is rooting on her fingers, she wants to nurse. Zoe is so smart and caring, it is sweet to see how she is trying to help us take care of Ailsa.


Father's Day

Gavin had to work on Sunday, so the girls decided to celebrate Father's day with him on Saturday instead. We had a great day at the park that has a splash pad. Zoe is really loving being outside now (which is a huge change from the days where she would be overwhelmed if we even opened the curtains in the house). Zoe did a great job signing "water" when she wanted to run around in the water and a very clear "all done" and "cold" when she was finished.

We then headed home for a delicious phone ordered meal of pizza. When discussing if we would go out to eat, eat at home, or just get a pizza, Zoe immediately smiled and laughed at the idea of pizza. So how could Gavin say no to that even if he didn't necessarily want pizza?

3 comments:

Heather Thorup said...

They are both adorable, and Zoe sounds so sweet!

Miriam and Michael said...

This story is so heart warming. My little fella Uisneach has1p36 and is nearly 2 now. we hope to add to our family one day and reading about little Zoe and your family is really heartening. Congratulations to you all. Miriam in Ireland.

Genevieve Ross said...

Miriam,
We found the thought of adding to our family completely overwhelming when Zoe was an infant. And we too found reading other family's blogs who went on to have "typical" children after their 1p36 child heartwarming too. So I am glad to see we can now be that for other people. It is so sweet to see Zoe with her sister and it confirms for us that we made a very good choice in having another child. We know that Zoe and Ailsa will be great sisters and friends.

Good luck as you make decisions about your own family.