The Reitzlings

I don't want to jinx it, but so far Henry is doing wonderfully as a big brother.  His feelings toward her range from great affection to total obliviousness, but we haven't seen any apparent jealousy or acting up for attention.  He was really delightful over the weekend even after the grandparents left town and he was stuck with the meager attentions of mom and dad (though Karl did take Henry to visit a battleship on Saturday). 

Henry was napping when we got home from the hospital, so he woke up to find this strange baby in his house.  The first introduction nonetheless went very well.

He doesn't understand why she won't follow his commands like the rest of us do -- Baby lay down à blankie!  Baby play trains!  Baby eat beans and rice! -- but luckily his attention span is short enough that he quickly forgets her acts of insubordination.  When it becomes clear that she's not going to do anything interesting, he basically forgets about her for several hours. 

Baby needs a helicopter.

But when he notices her again, he tries really hard to engage her.  Tonight before bed he was pushing her in the baby swing (which was helpful, since we still haven't put batteries in it) and showing her every page of the touch-and-feel book, saying, "baby touch!"  He also asks to see her when he wakes up in the morning, shares his pup with her, and thrusts Thomas the Train toys at her with great sharing enthusiasm.  He is such a sweet-natured little guy.

 

 

In that last photo he's actually asking to take her ear off.  A sweet little boy  -- but definitely a little boy.