By Choice
I've been asked approximately eleventy bajillion times how the Big Kid is handling all of the changes around these parts. The short answer to that question: FANTASTICALLY.
The longer answer: she's figuring it out.
Early on, there was no doubt that Alexis was feeling a little green flowing through her blood. She was jealous in the most obvious way possible, and she knew it. That was the key, of course. She knew she was jealous and since she's a big kid, she was able to verbalize it. She even went so far as to complain that she felt dumb for feeling jealous when a "shopping spree" ended with Mila getting diapers and wipes and Alexis getting a giant pile of nothing.
Along with the jealousy came some shenanigans. Alexis offered her new sister up for sale, trade, and then tried to just flat-out give her away. The tricky part of all of that, though, is that the kid likes to yank my chain just as much as I like to yank hers. There is no doubt that at least some of the shenanigans were part of a purposeful scheme to see how I would react. It grew old quickly when it didn't get a rise out of me.
Even as the alleged shenanigan were going on, Alexis couldn't walk past Mila without stopping to smooch her forehead, declare her adorable, and gush over her.
The gushing hasn't stopped. Not even for a second. During gymnastics class, water breaks are an opportunity to visit her sister. Mila gets attention long before I do every morning. Every chance she gets, Alexis swings by and stops in the Mila Zone.
And then there is what she was doing last night.
Alexis is determined to teach Mila how to speak Spanish, so many moments start with Alexis saying, "Me llamo Alexis. Te llamas Mila. Me repites por favor: Mila." Mila responds by ignoring Alexis, which is pretty much what I do as well since I've heard it so many times. Instead of continuing the Spanish lesson, though, Alexis veered into new territory. There is a quote that she heard on the Disney channel and she decided Mila needs to learn to say it.
"Repeat after me: Sisters by chance, friends by choice. Mila, we're sisters by chance, but friends by choice. We'll always be buddies, right?"
Right.
(Mila started deliberately smiling at people on Saturday. It's now Alexis' favorite thing to dance like a fool so she can catch a glimpse of a grin.)
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Reader Comments (4)
And now my heart is three sizes bigger with all this sister love!
I was ten when my only sister was born. Jealousy and love co-existed immediately in this very same way. It's been an interesting, not always easy relationship, but I love her deeply (and protectively, in a way that hasn't always been so welcome :)) and somehow it just works out. Just like any other relationship worth having in life.
What a beautiful pair of girls you have, Michelle. I am just thrilled for you.
such beautiful girls! So happy that Alexis is adjusting to the changes to well. And recognizing when she isn't. She definitely is a special girl, Mila is very lucky to have her as a sister AND friend!
ohmydog. i love alexis so hard. that girl just seriously owns my heart.