Finding her niche

Once faced with Levi's cuteness, Abby found it increasingly difficult to go on being sad about his not being a sister.

She has, in fact, embraced this big-sister-to-three-brothers thing with gusto, even going so far as to point out that when her little brothers get married one day, she'll have three brand new sisters.

She has decided that once room-sharing becomes a reality, Caleb and Jacob can have their own room, and she'll be bunking with little Levi. There are two reasons for this set-up, according to my 4-year-old: "Because he's so cute" and "Because he's so little and he needs a big sister to take care of him." I think she might change her mind when she realizes she's getting the room with the big closet all to herself.

She wants to hold her newest little brother every chance she gets. She is quick to jump in between Levi and a rambunctious older brother that might threaten his safety. She's never really been the nurturing type, but suddenly we're seeing a softer side of her. She wants to be a mommy one day and have a cute little baby like little Levi, she tells me. She'll make a wonderful mommy, I assure her.

When the baby cries, she gets upset, and desperately wants to know what she can do to make him better. Typically, he's hungry or tired, and there's not much she can do about that, I've told her. But sometimes, he just wants a little company. He loves it when we talk to him, because he's been hearing our voices inside my belly for a long time, I remind her. I suggested she tell him a story. She raced out of the room and returned moments later with her favorite Frog and Toad book.

"I'll read to him," she announced. "That will settle him down."

And read she did, pausing only occasionally for help with a tricky word. And a few pages into the book, Levi nodded right off. She finished the story and grinned that satisfied little grin she reserves for a job well done.

This big sister thing seems to suit her well.