Big Brother

Ethan has been waiting for a brother for a long time. When he learned that the baby was a boy, he was so excited and proud. During my whole pregnancy he would talk about having a brother and tell me about the things he would teach him. He loved to talk about him. He picked out new clothes for him at the store. He talked to him all the time inside my belly. He couldn't wait.

When they came to see us in the hospital after Devin was born, I was sad and a little disappointed that Ethan shyed away from him. I was not expecting that at all. He didn't want to hold him or even look at him much. When we got home from the hospital it continued. After a few days I asked Ethan why he didn't want to hold him. He said "Mom, I have a lot of germs on me. If Devin gets germs he'll get sick and die." That broke my heart! But what a good big brother to be so concerned.

Day after day he tried to get up the nerve to hold him, but he never quite could. Finally on Sunday evening he said "Mom, would it be okay if I held my brother?" Not only did he love and cuddle with him, he got to take a bath with him for the first time. Devin's cord fell off and it was time for a real bath. Ethan sat in the tub with him and helped. He is so proud to be a big brother! I look forward to watching their relationship grow. What a blessing they are to us!