My two-year-old and my newborn are still learning how to be around each other. Riley hears “no-no!” a lot these days.
He figures things out in his own unique way. He uses his feet for almost everything—feeling textures, testing firmness, and even picking things up. When he discovers something new, he often spins in circles or switches it from hand to hand, then holds it up to his left eye to examine it. Most of the time, he explores objects with his feet first, then flips himself around headfirst to look at them because he sees best when looking out of the top part of his eyes. If I sit him in front of the TV mounted on the wall, he watches it upside down.
It breaks my heart that life is harder for him. I hate that he has to struggle with these things, but for Riley, this is normal—this is how he has experienced the world his entire life.
Recently, he has been trying to kick the baby as a way to figure her out. I don’t know if it’s curiosity, jealousy, or a mix of both. He’s the only one who seems jealous of the new baby. Riley is a total mama’s boy, so sharing me has been especially difficult for him. When I give Sky a bottle, Riley wants one too, or he’ll make little puppy-like noises to get my attention. He doesn’t cry much, but he does complain a lot.
We’re all learning, slowly, how to adjust and grow together as a family.
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