We have been home from the NICU for almost 2 weeks now. It has been a challenge and adjustment for the entire family, but mostly for little Jettie Ruth.  With each passing day, we experience a new emotional stage with her. From the “whiny and clingy” stage, to the “I’m over it they can leave now” stage, to the “helpful and loving big sister’ stage, we are experiencing it all.

 Jettie was so excited to finally meet Bubba and Sissy. After all, what little girl doesn’t​ want a real life baby doll or 2? That excitement faded quickly, and day 2 was by far the hardest. Our joyful and free spirited Jettie had become a whiny and clingy little girl. I began to question whether or not I would be able to handle this new life of mine. How in the world was I going to keep up with a busy little 16 month old, care for twins, and manage to maintain my sanity? I was terrified to turn my back. If you saw how Jettie treated her dolls you would completely understand. She carried them around in a headlock, and her gentle would make any adult cry. Being the climber that she is, I just knew that she would end up in their crib attempting to change their diaper or get them out so that she could push them in her stoller. By day 5 it was easier. Jettie wasn’t as clingy or whiny anymore. Now, she was deadset on getting the twins to go back to where they came from. Every time she saw them she would tell the “bye-bye”. She couldn’t understand why they hadn’t left yet. She would walk over to their car seats and motion for me to bring them over. When I wouldn’t, she would come over,  grab my finger, and lead me over to them in an attempt to get me to take the twins away.

 By day 8 Jettie had accepted the fact that Erin and Timothy were here to stay. She decided that she would be mommy’s big helper. From fetching diapers and wipes to giving gentle kisses on the head in an effort to calm them when they are upset, she is beginning to understand what it means to be a big sister. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve had to chase her around the house, more times than I can count, because she stole one of their bottles. I am constantly protecting the twins from Jettie grabbing them like a football and running down the hall (which she attempted this morning), but things have gotten a lot easier in the past week.
While  I don’t have any clue what this upcoming year is going to hold, I am excited to see where our crazy adventure leads to next.

#loveyoulikepeaches