the fuss over new babies

名称：the fuss over new babies
内容简介：
Dear Arizona,
　 I have a new baby brother, and everyone’s always saying he’s so cute and wonderful. Sometimes I feel like I don’t count at all anymore. Is it going to stay like this forever?
　 — Jealous in Jersey City

Dear Jealous,
　 I remember feeling the same way—only times two because my mom came home from the hospital with twins! It was a long, long time ago, so I don’t remember everything exactly, but I still have a few pretty clear memories. At the very beginning, I was excited. I couldn’t wait to play with Tex and Indi and be the best big sister ever. I would teach them all sorts of stuff—such as how to spell their names and how to do cool dance moves.

But it turned out that brandnew babies aren’t interested in the alphabet, and they can’t even sit up (never mind stand or dance). In fact, I discovered that babies can do six things and that’s it:

　 1. fuss
　 2. drink milk
　 3. fuss some more
　 4. get their diapers changed
　 5. sleep
　 6. fuss some more!

Anyway, everyone was coming over to our house to hold the babies and give presents to the babies and talk nonstop about how unbelievably adorable the babies were.

“Oh, Arizona, you must be proud to have such a perfectly perfect little sister and such a perfectly perfect little brother!”

“Oh, Arizona, you’re a great big sister—so grown-up and responsible!”

Then they’d pull out their cameras, and just as I was about to say “cheese,” they’d run over to my perfectly perfect little siblings and take photos of them.

Looking back on it now, I can see that these people didn’t mean to make me feel bad. But at the time I was thinking, Who cares about being grown-up? Why can’t I be little again so I can be the one getting all the attention?

Now for the happy news:

It turns out that babies grow fast! I mean, one minute they’re these squishy, fussy little lumps— then before you know it, they can walk and talk and pretty much act like other people. In fact (and I know this might sound strange after everything I just said), now that the twins are older, they are honestly two of my favorite human beings in the world.

And now for the unhappy news:

Just when I thought I was done being jealous, it happened again! Last month, my aunt Camille got married, and Indi was her flower girl and Tex was her ring bearer. My mom spent forever finding the perfect outfits for them to wear, and on the day of the wedding, Indi had the prettiest little flowergirl dress and Tex had the cutest little ring-bearer suit. And then there was me, just sitting and watching in my regular dress.

After the ceremony, all I heard was “Indi was the sweetest little flower girl!” and “Tex was the most adorable little ring bearer!”

I definitely agreed that they were wonderful, but I couldn’t help feeling unimportant and invisible—the way I did a zillion years ago when the twins were brand-new babies.

Now for the surprising news:

There was a big party after the wedding with an unbelievably awesome cake. Aunt Camille and her nice new husband had the first dance, then the band got louder and everyone started dancing like crazy— including me. I took off my uncomfortable dress shoes, and I danced and danced and danced! It ended up being one of the most fun times I’ve had in my entire life.

The very best part was when my aunt and I took Tex and Indi by the hands and taught them some dance moves. Teaching them a dance move and watching them get the hang of it was such a cool thing. I realized then what a huge waste of time feeling jealous is when you can kick off your shoes and enjoy life!

I don’t know if I totally answered your question, dear Jealous, but here’s what I’m trying to say: Jealousy is this annoyingly pointless emotion that sneaks into your head when you least expect it, sticks around longer than it should, and never does anybody good.

So try to enjoy being “grownup and responsible.” Before long, I’ll bet your baby brother will be giving you more attention than you know what to do with!

Ciao for now,

Arizona