The Two Big Sisters: their reactions

Loving older sister!

Trying to climb up the glider to see her new sister

Our little lady!

Upon the baby's birth, I sent a photo to my sister, who in turn showed it to my toddler. She cried, and declared " I don't want another baby!"

Two days after her arrival, our newborn baby met her two older sisters. Much to my surprise, our toddler was very affectionate. She welcomed her new sister, asked to hold her, and has since been a very helpful older sister. She regularly helps with diaper changes, and additionally enjoys burping her new sister.

I was initially worried that our toddler would be displeased with her new sibling. About a month prior to her birth, we explained to our toddler that she would soon have a new sister. She countered that NO, it would be a brother! We found it almost impossible to explain that she could not simply choose the gender. She had even named her "brother" and told anyone willing to listen...but as soon as she met her new sibling, she seemed to accept her unconditionally!

Baby # 2's reaction was very different. When she spotted her new sister for the first time, I believe she thought of her as a doll. She tried to take her from me, and would not take no for an answer!. Since then, she has mostly been intrigued by her new sibling. She points to her different body parts, asking us to name them...And she no longer thinks of her sister as a doll; when asked to point out her new little sister, she appropriately points to baby #3.  She has even started to "nurse"her dolls.

Hopefully all this sisterly love will continue...