Bringing a new baby into the family is a special and exciting time. For a toddler, it can also be special and exciting but also a little different and scary, especially if they feel threatened that the baby will take away attention from them! Before I even knew I was pregnant again, my daughter kept lifting my shirt and looking closely at my tummy asking if there was a baby in there. I would say, “I don’t know but we’ll wait and see.” It was like she had sibling instincts and knew even when we didn’t. A week or so later I took a pregnancy test and confirmed that, in fact, a new baby was already growing! I’m now 12 weeks along, and my daughter continues to kiss my tummy and talk to the baby on a regular basis. My husband convinced her that my belly button acts like a microphone and is a direct connection to the baby. It’s very sweet and she is very excited about the baby to say the least.
There is so much to prepare for and I want to make the transition into motherhood for the second time as seamless as possible. Now that I know what better to expect, I hope I can achieve that goal. What I am most concerned about is my daughter and how she will react. She is excited now, and may still be when the baby arrives, but I want to help prepare her as much as possible for her new and changed role in the family. She’s only known it to be her and her parents and even though she is great sharing with friends and other children, sharing with a sibling is a little different (at least that is what I have personally experienced with my siblings).
I recently made a list of the Top 10 Books that I intend to read to my daughter over the next six months to prepare her for sisterhood (except the ones that are specifically for a boy who will become a big brother). I hope you’ll find this list useful! You can probably check out most, if not all, of these books from your local library for free. If you decide to buy them, they are mostly all under $5 from Amazon!
Big Brother Daniel – Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood – by Angela C. Santomero – Amazon – $3.96 – Recommended for 1-5 year olds.
The New Baby – by Mercer Mayer – Amazon – $2.48 – Recommended for 3-7 year olds.
The Berenstain Bears’ New Baby – by Stan and Jan Berenstain – Amazon – $3.46 – Recommended for 3-7 year olds.
I’m a Big Brother – by Joanna Cole – Amazon $5.00 – Recommended for 4-8 year olds.
The New Baby – by Rachel Fuller – Amazon $4.28 – Recommended for 1-3 year olds.
Waiting for Baby – by Rachel Fuller – Amazon $3.40 – Recommended for 1-3 year olds.
Little Miss, Big Sis – by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Peter H. Reynolds – Amazon $13.42 – Recommended for 4-8 year olds.
I am a Big Sister – by Caroline Jayne Church – Amazon $5.35 – Recommended for 2-4 years olds.
I’m a Big Sister – by Joanna Cole – Amazon $6.18 – Recommended for 4-8 year olds.
The Baby is Here! – Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood – by Angela C. Santomero – Amazon $3.22 – Recommended for 3-7 year olds.
When you are pregnant, you have to drink a lot of liquid so I always have a cup or mug in my hands at all times. I feel like I’m constantly drinking. My favorite new mug is the one that is pictured tonight on Instagram (link below) that says There’s a Baby Brewing and it couldn’t be more adorable. The handmade mug comes from one of my favorite new shops called Busy B Boutique. Based out of Rochester New York, the shop owner, Bethany Crocker is a talented mom and entrepreneur. She is a wife and the mom to four children and is also a small business owner. How admirable is that? She is wonderful to work with and has a knack with all things chic and crafty.
You can buy a customized 16 oz. mug or one of her premade 16 oz mugs for less than $20 each. You can also choose one of four different colors for your mug from teal, green, white, or purple. All of her mugs are handmade and made to order. What I love most is that her mugs are simply clever, the perfect size, and stylish. You can buy a mug for yourself or buy one as a gift. There are also mug sets that you must check out! Here is her shop link on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/shop/BusyBBoutique?ref=l2-shop-header-avatar
For the Mr. and Mrs. Mug set https://www.etsy.com/listing/113463217/mr-mrs-coffee-mugs?ref=shop_home_active_32
For a Hubby and Wifey gift set https://www.etsy.com/listing/195178214/wifey-and-hubby-wedding-gift-idea?ref=shop_home_active_36
For your best friend who lives in a different state mug set https://www.etsy.com/listing/164726976/best-friend-coffee-mug-set-going-away?ref=shop_home_active_2
or even ones that say “Good Morning Beautiful” and “Good Morning Handsome” https://www.etsy.com/listing/118230524/good-morning-beautiful-good-morning?ref=shop_home_active_16
Honestly these mugs are terribly adorable and you have to check her shop out. She is generously giving all of you 20% off your order of $15 or more with code IGPARENT. And make sure you are following me on Instagram @theparentologist or by clicking this link https://www.instagram.com/theparentologist/?hl=en
because tomorrow I’ll be launching a giveaway where you can win a FREE mug of your choice!
To follow Busy B Boutique on Instragram follow this link https://www.instagram.com/shopbusybboutique/
and on Facebook by following this link
www.facebook.com/busybboutique10
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