Baby Brother Teague

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

As you all know, I normally write from Faith's perspective, but tonight, I need to share something from my own.  This evening, as Faith was taking a bath, we had one of the most heart-warming conversations that I've yet had with my almost 2-year-old daughter.  Faith's adorable words not only melted my heart but filled my eyes with tears.  She is the cutest, most kind-hearted, gentle little girl whom I am so proud of!

Here at the Flanagan household we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our son, Teague (71 days until my due date ... not that I'm counting)!  And when people ask me, "Do you think Faith has any idea about having a sibling," I could never quite answer the question.  I had been unsure if she was fully grasping the idea of becoming a big sister.  So, in preparation for Teague's big arrival, we have been doing many things to try to explain this whole concept.    We have been playing with baby dolls a lot!  We feed them, burp them, change/diaper them, rock with them, and put them to sleep in their crib.  We have also been talking a lot about Teague and how he's going to come live with us.  And most recently, we have been preparing his nursery.  Faith has been spending a lot of time in Teague's room and loving every moment of it.  In fact, just the other day, Faith ran down the hall and I found her knocking on Teague's door, saying "Teague ... In" (meaning she wanted to go into his room).  So, I figured that Faith had an idea that a little baby is on the way but I didn't realize just how much she understood until this evening's bath time conversation.

So ... Faith was playing in the tub and out of the blue, she starts saying "Teague, Teague, Teague."  Which of course, I think is cute.  She then goes on to repeatedly say "Sister, Sister, Sister ... Faith, Sister."  Again, adorable.  She continued to describe Teague to me by telling me, "Teague, brother, boy" and repeating "Sister" again.  At this point I'm thinking my daughter is a rocket-scientist because she can describe all of these things.  But it got even better as she vividly described to me what she was going to do with her little brother.  And this is all in her language now: 

-"Hold him, sleep, rock, books" (meaning she is going to hold him and rock him to sleep and read him books before bed).

-"Eat, favorite cookie" (meaning she is going to share her favorite cookies with him) - Upon which I asked her, "What is your favorite cookie?" and she responded, "Chip" (meaning chocolate chips).  So cute!

-"Swimming, kick" (meaning she is going to show him how to swim and kick in the water).

-"Play."

-"Diaper"(meaning she is going to change his diapers).

And she rounded out her conversation by saying "Teague, brother, friend, buddy."  I sat there laughing and crying at the same time at her sweetness.  I am beyond blessed to have such a beautiful little girl, inside and out.  And Teague is blessed to have such a loving big sister.  I am so proud of my little monkey and the lovely little girl she is.  I could not love her more!  

Faith, you are the absolute love of my life ... Thank you for making me the happiest woman and mother ... You, my dear, are a true gift from God!