So one of the questions we get frequently since the twins were born is: "how is Sofia handling it?" To be honest, when I was pregnant I had great concerns about how she would handle losing her place as the baby of the family. I really thought she would be terribly jealous. In actuality, though, she has proven us all wrong. She LOVES the twins. She still craves attention (like any 2 year old) but she never acts resentful of the twins. She never tells me to put them down. As a matter of fact, she often commands us to pick one up!
I do think our experience as parents has helped create a non-jealous environment. From the beginning, Steve and I were really conscientious of making sure we were paying attention to Sofia and continuing to give her tons of kisses & hugs. It also helps to have Stevie and Gabi paying attention to her. Another key point is that we have made her feel part of the twins as much as possible. When she asks to hold one, we accommodate her. If she wants to put a te-te in one of their mouths (even after wiping her snotty face with her hand), we have let her. As she has poked their heads and eyes and foreheads, we have withheld yelling out, "SOFI - STOP!!!" and instead gently said, "Remember, Sofia, touch softly."
The truth is newborns are "tougher" than they look and they probably will not remember all the pokes, jabs, coughs into their faces, rough handling, etc from their big sister Sofia. I DO think, however, that an older child will remember parents who were always saying, "Don't touch the baby." "You can't do that." "You're not big enough to hold her." So we have really avoided that.
So this video is a demonstration of Sofia's love for the twins. It is an early lessons for Jessica (and Nicole) that sometimes... love hurts.
7 comments:
A couple of notes on the video - at the beginning, Sofia is mimicking a game I play with her. At bedtime I say goodnight to each of her toes and give each one a different name. That's why you hear Sofia saying "Goodnight, Vanessa" at the beginning of the video.
I also just noticed the tiny bib around Sofia's neck. (too funny.) Obviously that's not hers, but we let her wear it. She also like to wear the babies socks on her hands as mittens. lol
oh man, you guys make it look WAY EASIER than it is!
I see a lot of parents freaking out with just one child. Well done guys!
Honestly,being at your house, with 5 kids, 5 great kids, I just pray that I am one day a parent like you and Steve! I will never forget one of the twins tried to feed on Walker, but that is besides the point! Spending time with Gabi and Stevie, they just had me in stiches! I felt like I was a little girl playing with Ian and Steve again! Your children are amazing and so comical! Ask Aunt Marie what Gabi said about being a dog (insdie joke)!!!! I have all confidence that Jessica and Nicole with grow up to be fantastic just like her mom and dad and siblings! Mary you talk about giving attention and time to Sofia, well what I witnessed is that comes naturally to you and Steve with all your kids! While we were at your home, even Gabi - 9 yrs old was curled up on your lap! You are truly amazing! What is even more amazing is that you still have time to french braid her hair!!! Sofia is solid, she is so strong she is her own little self with such confidence at such a young age, and I know she will teach the twins to be the same! Love you guys
This video is the funniest ever. You can ask Al, I screamed out loud when she picked up the baby (more like wrestled the baby into her arms)! You are so patient! They are all so cute.
oh man, sofia rocks. I'm pretty sure I'll drop my baby before sofia drops one of the twins.
Sofia is CRAZY!! i know i live with her.
hahah Gabi, you're funny. -Tio
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