Hope

When I came home from the hospital with Casey on October 22, 2010, Braden, my 2 year old, was not happy.  That is an understatement actually.  We walked in the door and he started running away from me screaming.  I finally caught up to him where he commenced the hitting, kicking, spitting etc.  Yeah, he was pissed.  Luckily most of his aggression was taken out on me, not Casey.

As the months have gone by, Braden's emotions towards his brother have gone from anger to annoyance to conscious indifference.  I joke that I don't think he has ever looked Casey in the face.  If I ever say, "Braden, say goodnight to Casey" he will look the complete opposite way and say, "Night."  Attempts to get the two of them in photos have been for the large part unsuccessful.  Braden has touched Casey maybe a few times, usually at the insistence of extended family that don't realize the extent of his disdain.

This whole thing has been pretty devastating for me, actually.  We never planned on having kids so close together, and at first I found the whole prospect overwhelming.  But soon I came to find that the silver lining would be that they could be close friends.  My sister and I were six years apart, and while we are very close now, when I was a child I wanted nothing to do with her.  The age gap was just too great.  But Braden and Casey?  I had visions of the two of them wrestling, riding bikes, sticking up for each other on the playground, talking late into the night, and giving best man speeches at their respective weddings.

And yes, I realize they are both under 3 right now for God's sake.  I should chill out a little.  But still, Braden's contempt has been unsettling for me.

But yesterday... a breakthrough.  I asked Braden if he wanted to hold Casey (as I do every few days), and he said yes!  So of course we broke out the camera.  And here is the evidence below.

Is that not the most precious thing you've ever seen?!?! There is hope yet!