My brother's kids and I all survived Saturday. Other than my paranoia of some freak accident happening, my biggest worry was Sarah's jealousy. After her brother was born, her family became divided into hers and his. Mommy became his because she had to be with him so often, breastfeeding and such. Daddy was hers. And myself and Uncle Matt were also claimed by her in the way she would say to me, you're MY Auntie Jenny.

Just picking up her baby brother would result in a glare. When my mother has to watch both of them, Sarah will sometimes throw a fit even if all my mother is doing is changing her brother's diaper or feeding him instead of paying attention to her. On Friday, my mother told me, with a bit of an evil tone, "Good luck." Misery does love company.

For the short time I had them, they both were fine. While I was feeding her baby brother lunch and he was laughing up a storm, Sarah paused from her own lunch to turn and say to me, "Katsumi loves you Aunty Jenny." She said it in such a bland matter-of-fact way, I wasn't sure how to react. I asked her if she loves me too and she got happy with the subject turning back to her and said "yes." I told her, "I love you both." She's used to hearing me say, "I love you too, Sarah," so she tilted her head and took in my answer and then smiled and went back to eating.

I hope one day she'll realize that although her family's time and attention is limited and has to be shared among many things including her brother, that our love for both of them has no limits.

Side note:

Comments are back up now, much in thanks to my generous Hawaiistories web host and to Darrett, the robot who has gone awry, who would not leave me alone about it (over the phone and in person). Are you happy now Darrett?