Big Brother, Little Sister

It absolutely melts my heart to see Van as a big brother.  We were very curious to see how he would take to it.  At the hospital he was a little shy at first since there were a lot of new people in the room.  Once he warmed up he really liked her.  He asked to feed her and even declared that he was his baby and only his "not mommy's baby, not daddy's baby, not Amy's (Brielle's birth mother), not Michelle's baby (Amy's mom) just Van's baby!".  The few days following he pretty much ignored her.  There were so many new people, toys, and places that he didn't really bother with her.  Once we were at the hotel in Las Vegas he was a little bit interested again and even asked to hold her a few times.  Since we've been home he has become the big brother we hoped he would.  He is certainly not obsessed with her (and sometimes still ignores her) but he loves her and is very sweet with her.  He is a big helper too.  He's good at dumping the powder in to make her bottles, he's helped me change her diaper and giver her a pacifier.  If she ever cries he either says "it's ok baby" or "what's wrong baby girl?" and will often softly stroke her head.  Seriously cute.  He asks to hold her sometimes and his absolute favorite is when she grabs his finger.  That is Brian's favorite too.  What is it about that little connection that makes your heart melt?  Van is building his relationship with his baby sister at a slow but steady rate and it's really fun to watch.  I love the potential of the big brother/little sister relationship.  I can already see them in high school, big senior Van protecting his pretty little freshman sister.  I'm so glad they will have each other to grow up with.