to when this baby arrives. Dh and I both think the 'transition' is going to be harder for Callum than it was for Liam or Fiona when they were 'bumped' from the position of baby in the family. I'm not stressing about it, but I do wonder how he is going to manage. He is my clingy-est baby. The most stubborn and at the same time the most sensitive. He isn't talking yet (but no problems with comprehension! lol) I'm just wondering if anyone has thoughts on preparing one so young for baby's arrival. I feel funny asking, seeing as how Liam was 16 months when Fiona arrived (Callum will be almost 20) but our circumstances were sooooo different when Fiona came. We didn't really do much to prepare Liam...he was just too young to comprehend. And everything was fine. I don't really think Callum would comprehend either (in advance, anyway). Maybe everything will be fine... but I thought I'd throw this out there for conversation anyway. :D

Josh was 22 months when Sarah was born, we prepared him by telling him over and over that mommy had a baby in the belly and one day it would pop out and Joshy could hold her. we also had a baby doll for him that he would carry around. Also we prepared him that he would be with grandma and grandpa for a while but he would come visit mama, daddy and baby. He did very well once Sarah was here, and only recently (9 months later) have we started having problems with Josh being rough with her.

Mine are 17 1/2 months apart. Dainie got a baby doll and a dollie bed and all the things needed to take care of it and feed it for Christmas when I was due in mid-February with her sister. We played taking care of the baby, we talked and I told her stories of when she was that little and all the stuff we had to do with her, and how there was a new sister living in my tummy and that she'd come out when she was ready and she could help take care of Moriah.

We had a few issues the first day or two with wanting to get between me and Moriah while I was nursing, but other than that, they have been the best of friends. Not to say that they don't fight (believe me, they do, more often that I would like) but Dainyah is very protective of her sister. She has also always translated for her. Moriah's verbal skills are about where they should be, but Dainie's have always been off the charts. Before Moriah ever said her first real words, Dainie could tell us what MyMy wanted, and she was always right. Still is most of the time. Kind of freaky actually.

I'd guess to just talk positively about the new baby, and how he's getting to be such a big boy and what a help he is and will be. And do carve out time for just him. That can help. Dainie loves spending sister's nap time with me. Unless we are trying to get her to nap herself. She gave that up for lent like two years ago and just never resumed...

One of the things that I purposefully did/do with Shaelyn and Trevor both, is to refer to dolls as *dolls* not babies. When we say 'baby' we are referring to a living, breathing child. Thay way if we have another one, they both already subconsiously know the difference.

Thanks for the input. :) Like I said, I'm not really *worried*, I just know that Callum is a different child than the other two and his reaction/adjustment may require a bit more attention. We'll just have to make sure to build in some one on one time so he doesn't feel left out/forgotten.

Kate...thanks for that suggestion...you have a good point! :)