Brothers.

I was never really concerned with how Carter would adapt to having a new baby in the house. My concern, rather, was more focused on how he would adapt to losing my undivided attention that he'd grown so accustomed to having twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. 


I assumed their would be frustration, jealousy, tears and many tantrums thrown on both of our behalf. I assumed Carter would easily become jealous of his brother and without knowing how to properly process that feeling, act out and rebel. 


Thankfully, so far the only rebellion has come in the form of a little sleep regression. There have been a couple of days where Carter has given up his sole nap of the day (the silver lining being that he goes to bed earlier) and he's even woken up a few times in the middle of the night- nothing that can't be cured with a little Daddy-Sleeps-In-The-Toddler's-Twin-Bed. 


I knew I would feel jealous at the quality time Carter would now get to spend with The Husband as he stayed home from work to help us work through those first days as a family of four. The quality time he and I used to spend together, playing all day and snuggling on the couch. 


The first twenty-four hours at home, we didn't really push Carter into knowing his baby brother. He knew he existed and would occasionally run over to "Oooh" over him and peek at him while he lounged in the pack and play, but he was never overly interested in him and that was OK with me. I knew he would come around on his own time and I certainly didn't want to force him to love all over Maclane. 


The next twenty-four hours were similar. A little interest here and there but nothing worth noting. 


Finally, on Saturday, I craved a little Brother Loving Photo Op and Carter about lost his mind with excitement. After eagerly washing his hands and climbing up onto the couch, I set him up with the Boppy pillow and laid Maclane in his lap. 


I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. 

Since then, Carter has been an incredibly attentive big brother. The minute Maclane starts to fuss, Carter runs to his side and sympathizes with him. He loves to pat him on the head and give him kisses. He's also become obsessed with having Maclane in his lap. I swear the two of them could sit for an hour and just stare at each other and be blissfully happy. 


As soon as Maclane wakes from a nap, Carter is so quick to climb onto the couch, grab the Boppy pillow and with outstretched arms exclaim, "My abee? Mine? My Abee?" ("My baby?")


As if I couldn't love the two of them any more.