Big Brother in Training

Last Saturday Bryan and I gave Jackson an early big brother gift in preparation for the wonderful change that is about to happen as we transition from Reece party of 3 to Reece party of 4.

We gave him a great book called "I'm Going to be a Big Brother." Despite the larger gift left unopened on the coffee table, Jackson hung on every word of the story as we read the sweet details of what it will be like to become a big brother. I love how excited he is and though I have no idea how this excitement will play out once Colin is actually here, but he has made this pregnancy so full of joy with his continued interest in all things baby. My shirt is continually up throughout the day as he loves on Baby Colin, telling him about his day and asking him what he's up to in there. He loves to feel his kicks and hiccups and on the random nights where a mommy snuggle is needed mid night he positions his body where he falls back asleep snuggled up to my very large belly. Jackson tells me daily different things he will do with Baby Colin. This is oh so sweet and a little alarming at the same time. He tells me things like how he will put Colin in the bath with him and bath him for us, how he will carry him up the stairs, put him in his bed, and cover him with blankets so he doesn't fall off and these are just a few of the oh so sweet ways he is planning to spend time with Colin but they of course spur on many discussions about appropriate ways to gently care for Colin with a grown up supervising.

In an attempt to help Jackson learn these gentle ways and to further encourage his excitement I decided to buy him a baby brother doll. The one I found is as boy as you can get with surprisingly anatomically correct body parts. You can feed the baby a bottle with water and shortly after will need a diaper change. I thought this was really cool and right up Jackson's ally and sure enough I was right. After playing with him downstairs for a while he raced upstairs to put him in Colin's crib and rock him in the nursery rocking chair (check out the almost finished nursery sneak peeks below). He adores his "Baby Colin" doll to the point that it now accompanies him to bed every nap and night as well as watches shows with him, rides in the car with us to run errands, etc.. I often see him swaddling him, changing his clothes, or telling him "It's o.k. Baby Colin, don't cry, Jackson's here." How precious!

I can't wait to see Jackson hold his real baby brother in his arms for the first time! I have waited for that moment for what seems to be a very long time and it's almost here. My heart is already so overjoyed in just the anticipation of that moment!