I've had a lot of people ask how things are going with the sisters. I've been wanting to do this post for a while but I wasn't sure whose blog to put it on (Millie's, Lindy's, or the family blog). Just another reason I need to merge the three. It is on the list of things to do.
Things are going EXCEPTIONALLY well with the Osborn sisters.
I had worried there would be some jealousy, bossiness, and attention hogging on Lindy's part when we got home. Afterall, Lindy had 5 1/2 years as an only child and has never lacked for attention. I had picked up on some jealous statements before we brought home Millie and was worried the green-eyed monster was making its way into her heart and mind. However, if I can just take a moment and brag I just can't put into words how proud I've been of Lindy. She welcomed Millie with an open heart and arms and has not only been loving, sweet, and mature about her new sister, but she has also been proactively helpful--so much so that I have to watch that she does not think she's the mommy. She is quite patient with her and also very nurturing.
EVERY once in a while I see some jockeying for attention but overall she's been fantastic. I also have to keep reminding her that Millie is only two and does not understand everything she is saying to her and that two year olds don't know how to engage in a lot of interactive play. We've been reading Beezus and Ramona together and she can relate to the story fairly well. God really did a great job answering our prayers in preparing her for her new role and we are so thankful to him for how he equipped her.
Millie came to us knowing Lindy was her big sister--jie jie in Chinese--and upon meeting her at the airport Millie couldn't wait to pull out her picture album and show off all the pictures of Lindy. It was stinkin' cute. Although she's never told me, judging by what I've been witnessing, I think Millie is a pretty big fan of her big sister. Millie might've been the queen bee where she came from and it doesn't appear she was wanting for attention. We just don't know what the dynamic was and how she fit in. Initially, Millie seemed to be a bit more volatile with Lindy. Some days she squealed with delight when she'd see Lindy in the morning or we'd pick her up from school and then other times she didn't want to play with her, give or receive affection from her, she was mean-spirited and aggressive toward her, and she definitely did not want her help in any capacity. We've made significant strides over the past several days and Millie seems much more accepting of Lindy's help and seems to be much nicer to her on a consistent basis.
Millie knows we're not going to tolerate swatting, biting, screaming, or being mean. I hear her repeating, "Lindy help" and "love Lindy," so I think it is coming together in her mind. She mimics everything Lindy does and cannot wait to pick her up in the afternoon. We meet Lindy in the library at the school and she about tackles her when she sees her and definitely does not greet her in hushed tones.
Lest you think it is all roses, there are moments of impatience, copying, tattling, being territorial, and other typical things. However, they really are pretty few and far between considering they've been together just a month today and both have pretty big personalities.
I know there will probably be seasons where they don't like each other but I really hope there will be a time when they are the best of friends and that they will always love one another.
