Prior to February 11, 2005, Liat had never been without Ilan or me for a significant amount of time.  Before going into the hospital on that Friday morning, I knew in my heart that although I would be exhausted after delivering Idan (I mean scheduled C-Section is hard work J ) the only other person I would want to see after Ilan and Idan, would be my beloved Liat.

I was curious to see how she would react to Idan.  Up until now she knew that baby was in my belly and that baby’s name was Idan.  Would she really understand that the baby is no longer inside of me?  Would she still touch my belly and say “baby”?  How would she welcome her new little brother?

            Later that evening when Ilan walked into the room videotaping Liat’s reaction I can only remember wanting to grab her and hug her but I was also trying to decode that blank stare on her face.  What does that stare mean?  Liat looked a bit puzzled.  I guess she was trying to figure out why I am laying in a strange bed, in a strange place, holding this strange baby.

 I felt guilty for not being able to show her how much I love her and for not being able to make her fully understand what’s going on.  A couple of days passed this way.

Liat would come into the room looking as though she was angry.  She would show interest in Idan, sometimes she would even call him by his name and sneak in a few nice touches.  But for the most part, I didn’t feel as though Liat was happy with me or baby. 

            Finally, one day when there was no other person in the room other than Ilan, Liat, Idan, and me, Liat seemed to open up.  Idan and Liat were on the bed and Ilan and I were documenting this complete family moment.  Liat kissed Idan, compared her “big” toes to his “small” toes, she laughed when he cried, she shoved the pacifier into his mouth, she held him, and smothered him with kisses.  Now I felt happy. 

             On Tuesday February 15, 2005 I was discharged from the hospital.  Ilan came to pick me and Idan up and then we went to get Liat.  I will never forget the huge smile Liat had on her face when Ilan walked out with her and she saw me in the car.  It was as though she understood that Mommy was back.  When Ilan placed her in the car seat and I asked her who that was in the car seat next to her, she happily said “Baby Idan.”  From that moment on I knew she realized that Idan is here to stay.  She now knew she had a little brother.

            At home things only got better.  Liat really welcomed Idan into the family nicely.  She constantly asks to hold him.  She knows that the crib is for Idan to sleep in, but every now and then she asks to go in and lie next to him or hug him.  She knows that Idan’s amm amm (a.k.a. food) comes from Mommy.  I was worried that she would show an interest in getting breastfed, but she really understands that it’s only for Idan.  She says “Idan boobie eat.”  She nicely pets his head and cheeks.  She points to the parts of his face and identifies the ears, nose, tongue, etc.  The only part we keep a close eye on is his eyes, because she tends to poke at them when she says “baby’s eyes.”

            Liat and Mocha as well, have beautifully welcomed this precious baby boy into our family.