This Little Life of Mine: Jack and Caroline

When I was pregnant with Caroline, Steven and I wondered how Jack and Fred would act with a baby in the house. And then it happened. At first, they were both SOOOOO intrigued with her and would NOT leave her alone. Jack seemed to be the most attached in the beginning. He would beg to be let in her room when she was asleep and insisted on sitting as close to her as we would let him. However, the novelty of the whole situation soon wore off. Jack is a pretty smart little dude and it didn't take him long to realize that he and Fred had been demoted in our eyes. Fred has always been too dumb to care, so he has always adored Caroline and doesn't really mind his new role in the family as long as there is still food in his bowl every day. But Jack, has had a harder time adjusting. He never really disliked Caroline specifically, he just didn't like the situation.

In the past couple months, Caroline has been interacting and playing with the dogs more and more. I think this has really started to help Jack with the whole transition. He is beginning to see that this little person loves him too and enjoys playing with him.

If you have ever been to our house, then you know about Hedgehog. If you have not been to our house, here is the deal. Hedgehog is Jack's beloved toy. No scratch that. Hedgehog is more than a beloved toy, he is Jack's BEST FRIEND. My mom bought it for him right after we moved to Wichita Falls because she felt our dogs had been traumatized by the whole move/separation thing. Jack immediately latched on to Hedgehog and the rest is history. His favorite game is when we hide Hedgehog and he has to find it. He will literally look forever until he finds it and then he wants to do it all over again. Jack even sleeps with Hedgehog every night. After seeing Jack's crazy attachment to Hedgehog, I have since started a stock pile of them because I am afraid of what would happen to Jack without Hedgehog (truth be told, we are on Hedgehog # 3 or 4 thanks to Fred... But don't tell Jack....).

Caroline has always tried to play with Hedgehog, but I have always taken it away from her because whatever she picks up goes in her mouth *yuck*. But, she finally made the connection that Hedgehog was Jack's toy and she started teasing him with it. I have the cutest video of them playing together. Caroline will hold Hedgehog up to Jack's mouth and giggle like crazy when he sniffs it or goes to grab it. I'm actually very impressed with Jack because he is very gentle with her and very patient. Hopefully this is the start of something good ;)

And some times the crazy crab runs away with the Hedgehog....

She is so amused by this little game they have

This is Caroline's new thing: When she is showing that she likes/loves something, she puts her head/cheek to it. I swear it is the cutest thing ever. Here, she was trying to do that same little move on Jack, but he got away from her.