I think he knows something.
February 26, 2008 | Jojo, Baby Making
People ask how he’s going to fare with a new baby in the house– if he understands what is happening.
I know he understands some things — like that baby brother lives, for now, in mommy’s bulging belly; that baby brother will sleep in his old crib; that baby brother will need gentle hugs and kisses.
Jojo requests these two books daily. He loves friends Baby E and Baby W and tends to speak in whispers around them. Instead of giving them giant open-mouthed kisses and rough hugs like he does for us and his friends, he carefully approaches and pecks them gently on their cheeks.
Despite several explanations, however, Jojo still wants “baby brother out of hole (belly button) now” and attempts to feed him black olives and crackers through my navel. This morning, he wanted to hug mommy then baby brother. He leaned his head over, placed his cheek on my belly, then gave him a reassuring pat. After that, it was education time. He told baby brother about two of the (way too many) cars he plays with daily while racing them over my belly.
Always affectionate and cuddly with me, over the past few weeks, Jojo’s need for mommy-only time has noticeably increased. When I kiss him goodnight, he grabs my arm with both hands, turns over onto my forearm and pins me to the bed, whispering “sleep with meeeee, mommy.” We don’t co-sleep, but he wants me close. I think these pictures demonstrate nicely his need for closeness. I don’t object. I’m drinking it up, honestly, because I know someday, I’ll be sooo uncool and annoying and GOD MOM, just leave me alone (door slam)!
This could just be a “stage” which happens to coincide with the upcoming birth, or maybe he does know things are about to drastically change in our lives. In his little life. The life he knows as an only child– having two adoring parents wrapped securly around his beautiful little fingers.
Am I lucky, or what?
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February 26th, 2008 at 8:43 am, liz Says:
*SOB!*
these pictures are so sweet and delicious, totally made this pregnant cry.
because henry’s a bit younger, i really don’t know how much he knows. he pokes at my belly and says “baybeeee!” but i’ve seen him do the same to both his poppa and his nonna.
squeeze that baby jojo for us!
February 26th, 2008 at 9:01 am, Amy W Says:
You are incredibly lucky!!
February 26th, 2008 at 9:15 am, Operation Pink Herring Says:
The image of Jojo teaching his baby brother about his cars is breaking my heart. Too adorable!
February 26th, 2008 at 9:47 am, Molly Says:
How sweet is that?!? I love the story about driving cars on your belly. Awesome.
While KJ completely understands of what’s going on, I think Jack hasn’t got a clue. When I show him babies in pictures or on tv and explain that our baby will look like that, he argues every time, insisting that whatever picture is Baby Kara. (Duh, mom.) I can’t wait until September gets closer and he understands a bit more.
Jojo is going to be a fantastic big brother. :o)
February 26th, 2008 at 9:52 am, Bunny Says:
Sigh. Yes you are so lucky. And so is Jojo. He is so lucky that he will have a little brother to grow up with. But he may not think so right off the bat. Hopefully he will still be excited about his brother even after he arrives.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:00 am, Erika Says:
You are lucky!!! I hope Sherman goes through the same stage. What is it about these sweet moments that always remind us that they won’t last??
February 26th, 2008 at 10:40 am, Jeannette Says:
This is probably the most cutest thing I have ever read! You are so lucky. Jojo will be a incredible big bro’.
It’s so sweet it makes me want to have babies!
February 26th, 2008 at 10:57 am, Liza Says:
Those pictures and the whole post are just adorable and delicious. We are some lucky mamas!
February 26th, 2008 at 11:22 am, My Buddy Mimi Says:
Awwwww. It makes me want to give him a big hug too.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:51 am, Kristabella Says:
That is so sweet! You are lucky!
February 26th, 2008 at 12:07 pm, Susan in va Says:
He knows…he doesn’t know why he knows, he just knows. What a beautiful post - it brought tears to my eyes.
I hope that your sons will have the same relationship that my sons have. From the day Golden Boy was born, he and the Inquisitor have been the best of friends. The arguments are VERY few and far between, they are there for each other through thick and thin. I love to listen outside their bedroom door at night to hear what they say to each other - their bond is indescribable.
I remember wondering if I would love GB as much as I loved the Inquisitor - I was amazed at the INSTANT bond I felt with GB the moment he was born. At that moment, when you find yourself the mother of two children, somehow, life just seems complete. I felt whole. I felt peace.
I’m so excited for you…
February 26th, 2008 at 12:38 pm, dee Says:
That sounds amazingly similar to what is going on in my house right now. It is sweet, isn’t it?
February 26th, 2008 at 1:15 pm, jill Says:
that is awesome. you are lucky. how’s this, put yourself in the mindset of ‘not minding’ passing off cletus to hug jo jo until he’s had his fill to friends, neighbors, daddy, whatever so that he’ll still feel really connected. cletus wont object much if he’s full and dry, and obviously this wont always work, but maybe some serious one on one time will make jo jo settle. the jealousy if it presents wont last forever, once he realizes that his mommy still loves him and takes care of him, it should settle down..
good luck as if you need it, you are so lucky already!
February 26th, 2008 at 1:43 pm, Julie Says:
Aww, I bet it’s a bit of both - a stage and impending world change making him a litle more clingy than usual. enjoy it!
February 26th, 2008 at 2:06 pm, Heidi Says:
The time flies oh so fast. My baby is 6 mos. old this week, and I swear she was just learning how to hold her head up. Sigh…glad you’re enjoying the cuddle times with Jojo.
February 26th, 2008 at 3:40 pm, Jennifer Says:
Awww… Jojo is so adorable. And you are right, you should appreciate all that little kid lovin’. I have a pretty affectionate 14 year old, but it’s not quite the same…
February 26th, 2008 at 3:57 pm, motherofbun Says:
Awwww. He is the sweetest little guy EVER! And he really loves his mama! You know… You could send him my way. Cours I’d have a very hard time giving him back to you! heehee.
February 26th, 2008 at 5:22 pm, Rachel Says:
I’m not pregnant and that totally made me cry!! I cannot believe that Cletus will be here so soon!! Jojo is a sweet sweet boy.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:08 pm, sallyacious Says:
Beautiful.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:56 pm, Maria Says:
Jojo trying to show his cars and how they work to Cletus is beyond adorable! His little world is about to change so much, but I think he is going to be an awesome big brother and clearly you are an amazing mom!
February 26th, 2008 at 10:52 pm, Nic Says:
He’s such a sweetheart. I don’t care if you don’t physically think you can muster the energy to post but if you MUST inundate us with baby and brother pictures.
February 27th, 2008 at 10:43 am, Sugar Tits Says:
You are very lucky. And he is just so freaking adorable. I love it when they go through their “sweet phase.” I just eat it up.
February 27th, 2008 at 11:06 am, Isabel Says:
I love those pictures. I just want to reach inside my computer and steal that little bug. (I mean that in a totally NON stalker way!)
I wonder if Jojo does know something is up? They say that kids can sense it.
February 27th, 2008 at 7:25 pm, SJ Says:
What a sweet little guy! And me thinks that he knows, but doesn’t really know what he knows. It’s instincts. What sweet little moments for the two of you - he’s so going to be a great big brother.