I didn’t plan a six year age gap between my girls. Once Little Lady‘s first birthday had passed, it was time to try again for a second baby. I knew it was going to take a while because it had been a long road the first time. As I had packed away each set of baby clothes all clean and labelled with ages, I had prayed that I would be able to use them again.
When I actually discovered that I was pregnant again for the second time, it was coming up to Little Lady’s sixth birthday. I was in a state of delighted shock and struggled to believe it could be true. I paid for a scan around seven weeks because I just needed to see that there was actually an embryo inside, growing and safely beating away. Thank goodness for my morning sickness confirming that it was all true!
We had left the baby stage behind long ago. Now we were able to leave the house with just a set of keys in our pocket. We had envisaged having children close together, them playing with the same toys and being bathed and put to bed at the same time. How would life look with a six year old to keep entertained and a new born to look after?
From the off, I knew Little Lady was going to be excited about having new baby in the family. She had left me full of emotion in the past when she had actually asked for a little brother or sister. We couldn’t wait to tell her the news and when we actually did, she was delighted.
My dating scan was the day before she returned to school and we took a big decision to take her with us (we had already had the early scan alone). I was fully aware that scans can bring a variety of outcomes. She waited outside with my mum and clearly understood that we would invite her in only if we could. When all was well, she did get to come into the room and it was a very special moment. We wanted her to feel involved and this was the first way that we could truly involve her. She was meeting her sibling for the first time.
As I type, I’m in my seventh month of pregnancy. The age gap is already meaning that Little Lady has a good understanding of what was going on. The pregnancy isn’t abstract, but something that is happening in our family. As my stomach expands, Little Lady loves hugging me and seeing if her arms can fit all the way around my bulging belly. I love it when she feels the baby move and when she can be persuaded to read or sing to the baby.
Little Lady knows an instant playmate won’t arrive and is looking forward to helping. How much she can help with, is yet to be revealed. If you have suggestions, they would be gratefully received! Fetching and carrying can be pretty boring!
So far the age gap, although not planned, seems positive. I plan to update this post once we have lived as a family of four for a few months. Roller coaster of baby 2 - here we come!
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