In a couple days, you will be an official big sister. One who gets to hold your little brother and do all kinds of real big-sister type things. You will have a lifetime of being a big sister, the oldest sibling, the one who experiences everything first, the leader of the pack, the one who keeps the family together (hopefully!). Neither your father or I are “first” children – we actually brought up the rear. So we have no idea what it’s like to be Number 1. But as your mother, I want to tell you what it’s been like to have you as Number 1 for the last two and a half years.
You have a charisma that makes you special, Kaelyn. You love wholly. You include others. You give a lot. You haven’t changed much since the day you were born – I can tell you had all your personality from the get-go. But it sure has been fun to watch you develop in front of other people and other kids. You like to be interactive. You prefer to observe first, then try. You like to be confident you can do something before you go for it – and therefore you usually succeed. You’re fun spirited and have such a happy demeanor. It takes a lot to make you upset. But you do know what you want, and have my stubborn qualities. Maybe because you are a little like me, I know when to just give in and let you do something – b/c really, you know best! You do know yourself well and that will get you far in life.
You like to learn. You LOVE to dance. You are great with throwing balls and playing soccer. You could swim for hours and hours (and have never even been afraid to jump in!). You are intent when you draw and you are very musically inclined. You even play the piano and make up your own songs. You love your baby dolls and play with them as if they were real. You enjoy other people as much as you enjoy us. You eat well and are open to trying any food. And you continue to be a great sleeper! Ultimately, you are a very easy child and have made the adjustment to parenthood about as easy as it gets.
I’m so excited that in a few days we will have a bigger family. We will have a new personality to get used to and incorporate into our home. You are so excited and have helped get everything ready for him. I know you will adjust well and take him under your wing to make sure that he fits in and is comfortable. But I am also a little bit sad. I’ve really enjoyed our relationship and I know that having another child will take a way some things that we share. In the end, it will all be worth while and your brother will be more of a blessing than we can imagine right now. I promise to still find time to have with you alone. And to continue to find things we share in common as you grow so our relationship can always be close. I promise to still “let you be you.” You are so capable and I want to always encourage you to spread your wings, rather than hold you back from being all you want to be. Being a mom is part nurturing but also part letting go. You have taught me that, Kaelyn. I’m always here for you, but in two and a half years, I’ve learned that you really are a self-taught person and you prefer to have some space to spread your wings and try things.
I realize you are saying good-bye to your “only” childhood in a few days. We will do our best to make the transition easy for you. You have always been a “partner” to me so I know we will be on this new adventure together. There will likely be two mommies in this house. And that is something we will continue to share – we are the girls in this house!
