09/04/2007

Today Nia took her first at-home bath. Really, it was just a sponge bath (this is all they recommend until the umbilical cord falls off), but it was a good cleaning nonetheless. Nathan was my assistant. He readily handed me the soap bottle, lathered soap on Nia's hair, etc. He has such a nice bedside manner. I've decided he may someday be a fine physician. Nathan's attention to Nia has grown leaps and bounds in just the past day. Perhaps he has figured out she's here permanently, or perhaps he is just trying to make the best of this intruder, but either way it has been fun watching him accept this little sister.

After Nick headed in to work this evening, I braved an outing with both my kids. We headed to a local park for some running and playing time. I put Nia in the stroller and Nathan immediately assumed the job of pushing her around. I poured on the accolades...I praised him for his help, his strength, and how wonderfully big he was! He was terribly proud and in moments of elation would take off running blindly with the stroller in front of him. He weaved off the path into grass and wood chips. He stopped to look at me and say, "uh-oh!" With a little help the situation would be rectified and he would be off again!

Nathan has also taken major consideration to Nia's general hygiene and appearance. He has observed the countless times when Nia has spit-up and has caused a parent to rush over with a little burp rag to wipe her lips and chin. This is a new thing--ensuring that this little baby is spic and span. With no reason or cause for concern, it is common to see Nathan pick up a burp rag and clean his sister up. "All set?" I will ask. "Aw Set" he replies. Once again, a chorus of praise exits my mouth. I have to encourage this bonding, plus, it is just downright cute!

I hope these two will become good friends. One of the biggest blessings in my life has been my close relationship with my brother. Some siblings never move past sharing DNA to enter the point where they share life, and laughter, and tears. I saw a card once that read:

More than friends, we are family. More than family, we are friends.

And that's true. A friendship between family members is a blessing multiplied infinitely. I am missing my brother today. I wish he could be here to hold my little girl and to listen to Nathan (who jabbers on and on about his Uncle 'Kyo'). I just stuck a letter in the mail headed for Navy boot camp that has pictures of all of us for him to see. He writes me regularly, too. Still, it's not the same as sitting in the same room and laughing together. I can't wait until we have a chance to do just that! And I can't wait until the time when my children can do that: Nathan and Nia sitting in the living room sharing stories and smiles.