Sibling Rivalry

Hardly a day goes by without Lily asking to hold Rory, and there hasn't been a single day since Rory was born that Lily hasn't given her multiple hugs and kisses. Lily is helpful - running to get diapers, or burp cloths, or clothes when we need them. She loves to give Rory her pacifier, or a toy to hold. She will tell strangers "That's my baby sister. Her name is Rory Cullen!" And she frequently reminds us that "I am Rory's big sister." Actually, sometimes she informs me that she is Rory's mommy. Sometimes Lily will announce, unprompted "I love my baby sister!" or "I love you SO MUCH, Rory!" It's so sweet, and amazing to watch their relationship begin.

But, it's not all rainbows and butterflies... Lily had barely shown any sides of jealousy over Rory before Auntie's two-week visit. But seeing her most favorite person holding Rory and loving on Rory seemed to trigger something in her. Rory got bonked on the head, twice. Auntie got hit once and bit once.

Lily got put in time out for each of these offenses, and then we talked about how Rory is just a baby, and she's fragile and we need to be gentle with her. Or, that we love Auntie and we have to be nice to her so she'll keep coming to visit us. (As a hilarious aside, when I asked Lily why on earth she bit Auntie - something she's never done to anyone - she told me, "I just dreamed about biting Auntie.")

But most days, I still believe that they will someday be each others' very best friends...