It's a Girl!

[Meticulous madness]

How exciting! I think the name Hanna is adorable. And it does go well with a sister named Hailey, for sure.

Isn't it just adorable when the big sister actually "Gets" that there is a baby in there, and that she has a name? Good times!!!

[PhillyGirl]

I love that Hailey is so interested in "baby Hanna." I hope it helps with the transition. It is pretty funny because she says that she has baby Hanna in her tummy too. I think that when I am in the hospital that we will give Hailey a new doll; her own baby Hanna to take care of.
Are there any other good ideas out there to help the transition for Hailey. I want to lessen the jealousy as much as possible.

[runamyrun]

I have heard of keeping a special basket with little treats, a toy, or a new movie. When you sit to feed the baby, your daughter can watch the movie, eat the treat, or play with the toy. The basket is only meant to be used when you are feeding the baby. It helps keep your daughter occupied, and she gets something special.

I have also heard people say that they like to read their older children a book when they feed the baby. At first, that wouldn't work for me because I need both hands for the baby! But, I think it can help to find time to be one on one with your older daughter. When I had my third child, my second child absolutely loved her. She helped me take care of her, and she loved holding her for so long that she would fall asleep holding her (don't worry, I was there helping her hold the baby). Even with her responding well to the baby, I still felt that sometimes she needed one on one time with me. So I would take her to the store with me (she loves to go shopping with me).

I am excited for you to have two girls! I have three girls and a boy, and I love it. And the nice thing is that your older daughter will be old enough to have fun helping, but she is young enough that your girls can be good friends.

Oh, and I love the name you picked. I really would have loved to name one of our daughters Hanna, but my husband dated a Hanna! That wouldn't work for me!

[PhillyGirl]

Oh I really love these ideas. I am excited and nervous to have this new little one in our home/family. I can't wait to have her here and hold her but I know that I have the perfect schedule and that will all be out the window for a little while. Oh well, it will all be worth it in the end.