big brother

• was initially very against the baby idea. When asked what kind of baby he wanted, he would respond that he didn't want any babies. When pressed, he indicated that he hated babies.
• slowly warmed up to the idea of a boy baby only as if any other option was unfathomable.
• wasn't so sure about holding any babies and preferred to check this one out mostly from a distance at the hospital and for the first several days.
• has all of a sudden turned into a giant.
• decided to help a hungry baby out by offering him a pretzel and an m&m before he was set straight that babies only drink special milk.
• finally held baby brother with much encouragement on day four.
• has introduced little brother to hot wheels cars and Thomas trains and how they work and can't wait until they can play with them together.
• occasionally imparts advice to baby brother..."Don't whine. It doesn't help."
• has provided baby brother with his nickname-Rock. We're not sure where the Zach-man came up with this name, but he began insisting on calling the baby Rock since about a week before he was born. He won't refer to him as anything else. He told his teacher, the bus driver, the bus aide, and the entire primary that the baby's name is Rock. If you ask him what our baby's name is, he'll tell you it's Rock.
• may or may not have tried to play steamroller with the baby.
• sometimes plays peek a boo with baby brother.
• is surprisingly very gentle and likes to pet baby brother.
• is very helpful in letting us know when "that baby" is crying. He's also helpful about letting me know that I should go take care of "that baby."
• has picked several of his stuffed animals that he doesn't need anymore and wants to share with Joshua. He makes sure to pile them around Joshua whenever possible.
• likes it when the baby watches a movie with him.
• wants both mom and baby to sleep by him at night but only if they close their eyes.