On Giving Up the Title.

Poor Corbin is really having a tough time adjusting to all of the changes happening around him.  I'm not worried about him hurting the baby or anything, he loves his new brother, he's just very emotional and gets upset about everything.  He's been sort of a mess since school started and took his sisters/playmates away for the day, and it has only gotten worse with the addition of a new baby.  I feel really bad for him.  It is so hard to watch him fall apart and cry over everything.  He's very stubborn and emotional, like a sad and angry little elf.

Today, he was obviously tired but refused to nap.  He went to bed fine, but after he'd been down for maybe 30 minutes he started crying.  Sleeping is never a problem for that kid.  It's the one stability he had left going for him even when he was a wreck for the rest of the day.  But now he couldn't even settle down for a nap.

I decided not to rush right in to rescue him, thinking maybe he'd calm down and go to sleep.  I fed and changed Soren and prayed silently to know how to help little Corbin as I listened to his cries escalate to hysterics,"Mommy, Mommy, I need my Mommy! Come here, Mommy! Get me up right now!"  

I went into his room and found my not-such-a-baby-anymore lying teary eyed and totally exhausted in his crib.  He sniffled the kind of post-crying-sniffle that shook his whole body as he caught his breath.  He reached his arms up and I knew exactly what he needed.

We curled up in the rocking chair with his blanket and rubbie.  He said nothing and I sang, "Baby Mine" to him.  He got heavier and his breaths became deeper as I rocked and sang.

Finally, I whispered, "it's time to close your eyes"and saw his dark lashes flutter and close.

And then I happily rocked my 40 pound three and a half year old "baby" to sleep.

Change can be really hard.  Sometimes we are reluctant to give up our old role for a new one, especially when the new role is being forced on us against our will.

Take your time, Corbin.  I can love two babies.