The Natural Superiority of Siblings
First of all, I'm still pregnant. Thanks to all who have sent multiple emails inquiring. Yup, still huge and pregnant.
Sorry it's been so long. I don't know WHY I haven't written an article; I mainly alternate between sitting around all day and power-walking with Katie to try to induce labor. Oh, and there have been some days of some horrific concoctions involving castor oil, herbs, and old-wives-tale activities that, trust me, you don't want to hear about.
Connor's new favorite book is "A Child Is Born." His new favorite show is TLC's "A Baby Story." I can't imagine what's been on his mind lately. LOL Anyway, Connor has become indignant and even a little paranoid that there exist in this world, horrific as it seems, actual people who think that their kids are the most wonderful in the world and would not consider his siblings to be the most wonderful. For example, when watching the Baby Story, he's very interested until the very end, when the mother usually reflects on life with her new baby. Connor looks fondly on the scene until the mother says something like, "I just can't believe he's mine, that we created him. He's the most beautiful baby I've ever seen." Connor then snorts and says, "Mommy, I think that that mommy thinks her baby is better than our babies. I think she loves that baby more than she loves Riley Katie! I think she loves him even more than our NEW baby!" I repeatedly explain to him during these tirades, "Connor, every Mommy thinks her baby is the cutest and best, and probably all big brothers think that their little brothers and sisters are the best." He always replies, "Yeah, except that THEY'RE wrong."
For an explanation for this behavior, I'd have to point to genetics. Let me take you back a few years, to Chris's first days of fatherhood. Chris, as the youngest child in his family, was never around babies when he was young. When his nephew was born, he was in college and didn't really participate in day-to-day goings-on in his life. So babies, as well as the opinions and instincts of new parents, were also quite new to him when Connor was born. From the moment he saw Connor, Chris felt that Connor was just OBJECTIVELY the best baby in the world; it never occurred to him that he felt this way because he was Connor's father. Fast forward to Connor at thirteen months old. Chris and I decided to leave him with a babysitter and go on a date night (yes, it took thirteen months; as new parents, we were also unaware that people other than ourselves were capable of caring for our child for short stretches of time). We took the train into the city to see a show. On the way there, a man across from us overheard Chris talking about Connor, and began talking about his own son. Chris said, "You should see MY son; he's so cute and smart." The man nodded and said, "Yeah, I love that age; my son is just saying such neat things and he's so cute..." Chris explained, "No, seriously, you should see my son. He's the cutest, smartest kid EVER. Not just a LITTLE cute; he's REALLY REALLY the cutest kid I've ever seen, and I've seen alot of kids." I was MORTIFIED. So anyway, I guess it's not hard to follow the trail and discover where Connor may have gleaned the idea that his siblings are just OBJECTIVELY cuter, nicer and sweeter than all other babies in the world.
Rory has been spending his days joined to me at the hip. I am secretly really, really happy at this turn of events. In the past, he's been a little stand-offish with his affections, but lately he's been much more lovey and cuddly, saying, "You're a great boy, Mommy!" Whatever the gender mistake, I'm grateful for the sentiment. We're also very impressed at how much he seems to enjoy being Rory Elio. He definitely does not want to be anyone else, and panics when he feels that his pretend play has convinced us that he is indeed someone other than himself. Connor can take a character's story line to the hilt, eating breakfast, lunch and dinner as Spiderman or Mr. Incredible, but Ror opts out of pretend play the moment that he feels he's convinced someone else that he's not Ror. He usually begins with, "Hi, Miss Colleen, I'm Spiderman!" I reply with enthusiasm, "Hi, Spiderman! Oh my gosh, I can't believe you're here! You're my HERO!" He interjects, "Do you see who I am under this mask?" I gamely answer, "Peter Parker!" At this point, one of two things happen. He either goes along with the Peter Parker bit until he can't take it any more, or he shrieks in a distressed tone, "NO! I'm your RORY BOY! It's me, RORY ELIO! RORY! Not Peter Parker! Mommy, it's MEEEE!" Sometimes he's a ferocious dinosaur, but as soon as I feign the smallest bit of fear, he panics-- "No, no, Mommy! It's just Rory! I'm pretending! I'm still Rory Elio!"
Our little princess is 21 months today and can't wait to see her new sister. Last week Katie showed her how to change a diaper using a doll as a model, and she's really anxious to try out her new skills on the baby (saints preserve us!). Katie's been spending alot of time at our house, waiting for the baby to show up, and while all of the kids seem a little put-off by the idea that Katie has a life of her own that she sometimes has to return to, Riley Kate is the most miffed and insulted by this. She wakes up and says, "Where's my Katie?" and reacts quite angrily when we tell her that Katie had to go to work so she can earn money. It's really amazing to see how much children at this age change so quickly. She's suddenly talking in paragraph form, singing songs with real words, and trying to "help" around the house. It's so sweet to hear her say, "Where's Rory and Connor? I go play?" Of course, it's important to remember those moments of sweetness when later I come upon her screaming at her brothers for looking at her the wrong way or not immediately giving up a toy that she wants.
Hopefully, my next article will be a BIRTH STORY! :)
|
