Sister love part 2

 This morning Lucy woke up early and angry. She was inconsolable. She threw the sippy cup of milk I offered her. She spit out her binky. She even rejected her beloved lamby. She shrieked when Chad tried to hold her and clung briefly to me, then started arching her back and demanding to be put down. As she neared the floor, she held her legs up so I couldn't stand her up. She was the living illustration of the song "Tantrum" from the Dogtrain soundtrack.

"Leave me alone leave me alone leave me alone"
bom bom bom
"don't leave me alone don't leave me alone"

She quickly woke up both of her sisters (Sam, in keeping with his gender, didn't seem to hear anything). Claire wandered in in her jammies and curled up on my bed, offering advice from her pillow. "Lucy tired." "Lucy need her binky?". A short time later Grace came in. By this time, I was growing increasingly frustrated. I had sent Chad out for a morning run since the queen was clearly not going to let him do much for her (nor was she letting me, but no point in both of us missing our morning workout). I put Lucy in her crib so I could go to the bathroom and turn on the shower. Let me be clear: I don't believe in "crying it out", but when a child is every bit as miserable in my arms as out of them, I'm not as likely as I once was to keep trying. Sometimes, especially these last 2 babies, I've learned the best medicine is no human contact. Especially Lucy--she really seems to prefer not being held when she's in one of her fits. Or so I thought.

Enter Grace--sweet, sunny Grace. When I returned from the bathroom, Lucy was lying calmly in her bed gazing up at Grace adoringly while her big sister stroked her belly and cooed in a high, sweet voice. Next thing I knew, all three girls were crammed into the crib, giggling and chatting.

Last night at bedtime, Grace and Chad had the unfortunate timing of coming into our room just as I about had the queen to sleep. She turned her head at the sound of their entering, and immediately wriggled out of my arms and toddled over to Grace. She lifted her arms to her and Grace immediately swept her up to her hip. Grace is delighted by Lucy's obvious affection for her, and Lucy clearly adores her biggest sister. It's a beautiful thing to see.

Next time the queen wakes up in one of her moods, I'm calling Grace and heading for the treadmill. Looks to me like everyone would prefer that anyway.