How many Montoya's does it take to put together a puzzle. The answer? Just one. But the other two like to watch and encourage. This picture reminds me that my little girls are already becoming fast friends. Gabriella has been an amazing big sister. Tonight our neighbors from across the street came over to drop off some gifts. Gabriella helped to open the little girls gifts and then when Julia was getting a little restless she took her into her room to play. Genevieve soon joined the duo and both girls watched their big sister work her puzzle. The changes in the last few months have been intense. I'm sure this whole situation has been confusing and frustrating for Gabriella, yet she's handled it with more grace and understanding than I have. Until mid August she'd been an only child and then suddenly she got not one sister but two. Time spent with her parents was slashed to almost nothing. We try very hard to carve out time to spend with her one on one but it doesn't always happen. Our families have stepped up and tried to fill the gap, but often the twins are still the priority. Not only did we add two new siblings but we also moved her half way around the world away from her friends into a temporary house with her grandparents and then into a minimally furnished house. She started a new school in the middle of the school year and then after four days she went on winter break. We've asked so much of her in the past few months and she's answered each request with grace and acceptance. She's a superstar. This morning she waited patiently for her breakfast while I fed the twins, then waited to take Saffy for a walk until after nap time and then patiently waited for dinner until daddy got home. We ask her to wait a lot. Many people ask how Greg and I are adjusting and honestly we're still learning. What people probably miss is how much life has changed for our first daughter and how she's grown and flourished amidst these changes. Gabriella has shown herself to be an amazing big sister who cares for both Julia and Genevieve with equal love and attention. I'm amazed by her love and maturity every day.
Hi Therese,
ReplyDeleteYour blog brought tears to my eyes. I can totally understand how you feel. Wait, wait, wait. I think Kristin and Gabriella will have a lot to talk about when they get together!
Also, something that I found worked for Kristin was telling her it was "Eric's turn" or "Leah's turn" and then making a point of telling the newborn infants, "Hold on! It's Kristin's turn!" This really made Kristin feel special. Even if they were screaming their little hearts out, if I knew they were safe and secure, it pleased her to know that they finally had to wait and that it was HER TURN!
Blessings and Love to you all!
You may not realize it now but you are also teaching Gabi invaluable life-changing survival skills. She is a strong little girl and I look forward to some day knowing her as a blossomed adult!!
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