My Number One Girl

Our baby girl is three months old now. And, while she’s number seven in the birth order, she has clearly established herself as Number 1 in the family. 

The first way she did this was just by being born. Nothing focuses the boys’ attention so much as someone new and her very presence in the house has garnered her all the attention she could have ever wanted. 

The second way she established herself as number one is by telling us. Not in words, but a mere few days after being born, she started holding up her tiny little index finger while feeding and sometimes while sleeping announcing to the family she was number one. I think she is calling attention to her special status as the only girl using this very obvious reminder. 

However, despite the reasonableness of this, it’s completely unnecessary. The boys absolutely adore her. They want to hold her and talk to her and make her happy. The 7-year-old was holding her the other day and excitedly told me, “She’s huggling on me. I think she likes me.” 

I can independently confirm “huggling” is exactly what she was doing and that she does indeed like her brother. 

One of the most striking demonstrations of her gravitational-like power over her brothers is seen in how they just want to be near her. 

The (then) 2-year-old wanted to take his nap next to her bassinet the first week she was at home. The 10-year-old dashes over to pick her up if she makes the slightest sound of discontent. Many of the brothers will set up to play their games (blocks, cars, cards, etc) right next to her when she’s in the baby swing or on her play mat. The way they’ve found a way to effectually include their sister in their play is a testament to how they feel about her. Even if they could never articulate what they’re trying to do or why. 

It’s cute but you can tell the enjoyment is on both sides. The boys love the attention she tosses their way in the form of looks and coos, but she also appears to enjoy hearing them talk as they play and simply watching their nearby movements. 

As the only girl (and the youngest and a baby) she has a special position in the family. And there’s a special bond developing between her and her brothers because of this. I hope it continues long after she’s able to interact and talk with them.