Happy 2010!!

We rung in the New Year with our little KaiKai. We played games, ate fondue, watched Kung Fu Panda (one of our favorites!) and played more games until the 10 minute countdown. Little Man was in bed by 7:00, and our last minute plans of having friends come over fell through, so KaiKai thoroughly enjoyed being the center of our attention all night. It brought back memories of how it was before her little brother joined us. She was our only child for almost four years, until she was almost five. She has struggled a little with sharing the spotlight with Little Man, but all in all, she has learned to be a good older sister. She's been helping me out since she's been on Christmas break by getting him out of his crib when he wakes up. It's funny how she lowers the crib side by herself and then holds out her arms for him to come to her. He smiles, and jumps in her arms as she heaves him down to the floor. (I have witnessed this by peeking through the crack of the door, unbeknownst to them.) Yesterday she called down to me asking if she could change his diaper - this was a first. She has watched me countless times, so I responded with, "Only if it's not a poopy one. You can do it on the floor." I figured it couldn't go too badly if it was just a wet one, but I didn't want her trying to put him up on the changing table - yikes! I anxiously waited downstairs to see the results of this attempted diaper change by my daughter who usually holds her nose while watching me perform the task. I didn't hear any of the usual whining or squirming noises from my one-year-old, which was a good sign. I kept imagining him just staring at his big sister in disbelief, and laying still, not quite sure what to think of her acting so old. A few minutes passed and I heard Little Man scooting down the steps, then rounded the corner towards the kitchen to find me, pantless. Shockingly the diaper was on him pretty good; only a quarter of one cheek hung out the side. Bouncing down the stairs came my very mature acting almost 6-year-old, (for the moment) smiling from ear to ear. I told her how proud I was of her, and what a good job she did, and she proceeded to tell me how it went as we all headed back upstairs. She said she used the baby doll changing table, and sure enough, there it was in the middle of his bedroom floor, draped with a fleece blanket for protection. Maybe this is a glimpse of what is to come for us. I sure could use help like this once we get home with MeiMei. Happy 2010 everyone!