Lila

This afternoon, Violet's sister, Lila was born.  Christie and Lila were both doing very well after the pregnancy, while Uncle Jerry was minding Violet.  The obstetrician gave us some good advice shortly after Lila was born, which was to considering waiting a bit before having the big sister visit in the hospital.  The advice suggested that perhaps we wait, get cleaned up and situated, because seeing mommy spent and hooked up to tubes and wires in the hospital bed would freak out a two year old.

We took this advice gratefully, and Violet and Uncle Jerry came to the hospital after dinner.  She exploded into the room like a tornado.  She wore a combination t-shirt and frilly skirt that read "Big Sister," and some pink pants underneath.  Uncle Jerry explained that they had argued about the pants, that Violet claimed her shirt-skirt was a dress and the she didn't need pants.  Uncle Jerry was firm on this point because he could see her underwear.

After we gave Violet quick hugs, she bounced her way over to the baby, who was sleeping in the clear plastic bassinet the hospital uses.  "Is that the new baby?" she asked.

"Yes," we told her.

"Can I pet her?" she asked.  Awesome that that was her first instinct.

From there, Violet literally bounced from person to person in the room, talking to Auntie Gillian, Daddy, Mommy, Memere, Pepere, and Uncle Jerry.  She was like a blur.

Auntie Gillian notice something on the floor, "What's that?"  It was a small puddle beneath Violet.  In her excited frenzy she had peed her pants, the first and so far only time that has happened.  We felt bad for her, but she was unfazed.  Auntie Gillian MacGyver'd up a skirt for Violet with an extra receiving blanket and a hair elastic, which had to keep being adjusted because Violet kept dancing out of it.

Violet asked, "Can I hold the baby?"  We were apprehensive, but said OK.  We put Lila on Violet's lap with Daddy sitting nearby for assistance.  Violet did in fact per her very gently on the head.  And she gave the new baby lots of kisses.  All in all, we really couldn't have asked for a better first interaction between the two girls.

Like a clock winding down, Violet visibly showed signs of slowing and being exhausted.  She plopped into the floor on her hands and knees before we could stop her.  "Violet, hospital floors are yucky," we told her and just about bathed her in hand sanitizer.

Violet gave everyone goodbye hugs and kisses and left for home with Uncle Jerry, but not before giving the baby one last hug, one last kiss, and, of course, one last pet.