[angelkisses0102]

OK, where was I???

Arianna was 2.5 when we brought Alex home...but she is extremely verbal and was more on a 4ish year old level at that point. She was very excited about getting a baby brother...until she realized she had to share mommy. Our process for Alex was less than 4 months, totally unexpected, so we really didn't have time to prep her much.

Alex had very insecure/anxious attachment at first, I had to hold him constantly...and he cried alot. On our first post placement she told the SW that 'all he does is cry...I want him to go back to Russia.' I so wanted under the kitchen table!

Someone, somewhere told me this and I kept repeating in my mind...when you bring another child into the family...especially a non newborn...your child feels as you would if your DH brought home a new wife and said...nothing's changed. I still love you too.... In their little minds, it's probably even worse.

Because of the struggles with Alex, our first 5 to 6 months were rough...and then we moved. Once we got into a routine at the new house, things calmed...she even told me we could 'keep me.'

I lie down with her in her bed each night, after he is in bed...we watch TV, read, she does my hair...oh so pretty ...then we snuggle until she falls asleep. Lately, so do I...this is truly her only alone time with me during the week...on the weekends I try to do one just Mommy and her thing each day and her and daddy do something special too, just the two of them.

I try to include her in helping with Alex...it helps make her feel special...we talk about how some babies need their mommy's more than others and that Alex is one of those babies. I tell her she will always be my baby girl, even when she grows up...and she simply loves it.

They have so, so much fun together now. My house is like romper room some days, but it is a house full of laughter and screams and 'he pulled my hair', 'Yaya (his nickname for her) tickled me' etc....

Good luck...they do adjust...sometimes it just takes time....sounds like you are doing a great job with so much preping!!!