The Chronicles of Being a Parent of Two: Chapter One: "A Baby Girl And a Bloody Wad of Cash"

When you envision your four year old meeting his brand-spankin’ new brother for the first time your heart melts with all of the cute emotions you expect your four year old to exhibit and then you are snapped back to reality during the actual moment.  Here was our reality:

Chase walked into the hospital room, looks at my stomach (which is still swollen. And although I am no longer pregnant, my stomach still looks like I could be carrying twins) and says, “Oh, are we going to have a baby sister too?” Harsh child, harsh.   

In all reality, Chase was so happy to meet his brother for the first time and didn't waste any time snuggling him.  Ryder even gave Chase a big brother present.  Cory and I searched and searched for the perfect gift.  We ended up choosing a teddy bear wearing a blue shirt that says, “I’m the big brother.” We thought we captured everything that Chase loves deeply: stuffed animals and his brother.  And we wanted to make sure that Chase felt included in the special day. Chase was gracious for the gift while in the hospital room but when he got out into the car with my Mom he was singing a different tune.  Here was their conversation:

My Mom: “Wasn’t that nice of Ryder to get you a big brother gift?”

Chase: “Yes, but that wasn’t really what I wanted.”

My Mom: “What else was it that you wanted?”

Chase: “Ryder could have just given me cash to buy my own gift.”

Apparently, Chase thought that Ryder was going to pop out of my vagina holding a big wad of bloody old cash.  Go figure.

On a completely unrelated note:
Here are two creepy things I have heard kids say to my newborn that gave me a chill down my spine, although, in their own creepy way, they were trying to be loving…. I hope.

Holden (my 2^nd grade nephew) grumbled/whispered in Ryder’s ear before leaving the hospital room: “Remember, no one will love you like I will.”  (Creepy? Possessive? Absolutely.)

Chase to Ryder as he kissed him good-night: “I hope you wake up in the morning.” (And the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Thanks for the bedtime nightmares buddy.)

So far we have adjusted to being a family of four quite nicely.  Ryder is the missing piece to the puzzle that we didn't know was incomplete until he arrived and we couldn't be more thankful that he is healthy.  

This was from Chase and Ryder's first night together.