I am thankful for Charlie’s big sister, N. N is adopted too and was about four years old when I was pregnant and making an adoption plan.

She was (and still is) very cute and sweet and I enjoyed the time I got to spend with her during my pregnancy. I knew that I wanted a family for Charlie that either already had children or would be planning on having more children. I have a little brother and although at times growing up, we want to strangle each other, I was glad I had a sibling and enjoyed the brother/sister bond we shared and I wanted that for Charlie. A big sister sounded even better since I had been a big sister myself.

During my pregnancy, N. would always ask questions about how I felt, could I feel the baby, what his name was going to be, etc. She looked up to me, I think, and would drink what I drank at a restaurant or want me to play board games with her. She’s very good at Candyland!

She was (and still is) very good with Noah. I don’t know that I have ever mentioned this before, but A. is in a wheelchair. So N. has grown up being around lots of disabled people so she doesn’t notice disabilities the way other kids and adults do at times. She never asked why Noah didn’t say a lot of words or why he didn’t walk. In fact, she’d get down on the floor and start crawling around on the floor like him.

I see a lot of myself in N. She is a take a take charge kind of girl and I know that she will be there for Charlie, watch out for him, and guide him and for that I am thankful.