Baby and Bell
When we first announced we were expecting, we were often asked how we thought Bella would take having a sister. I never really thought it would be a problem- Bella loves babies.
However, Bella also loves being queen of the castle.
I’m still convinced that Bella knew I was pregnant before I did, and also that she’s known for a while that something new would be coming to the house..and it wouldn’t be for her. One day, while I was putting laundry away in the nursery, I asked Bella to come in there and hang out with me. She walked to the doorway, saw what I was doing, and walked away. She wanted nothing to do with it.
And then, I started catching her napping under the crib with her legs hanging out.
Per your amazing tips, here’s what we did to help Bella get used to the situation:
When we were in the hospital, my mom was watching Bella and we sent home one of Livi’s hats to see how Bella would react to the new scent. I asked mom to make Bella sit, and then put the hat down in front of her and let her smell it. After a few seconds, I asked her to tell Bella to “Leave it” so she would leave the hat alone and know it wasn’t for her. It didn’t really go that like. Mom had Bella sit, put the hat down, Bella walked up to the hat, sniffed it, and curled up in a little ball next to it. A very good sign 🙂
When we got home from the hospital, Bella was there waiting for us. Tom had gone home to get the car seat and take a shower, and picked up Bell on the way. I went inside first, snuggled Bella and told her how happy I was to see her, and Tom and the baby came in a few minutes later. We put Livi in her bassinet, and Bella kept a cautious distance, except for walking up every now and again to sniff on her hind legs.
For the past week or so, Bella hasn’t wanted anything to do with Olivia. When she cries, I think Bella gets worried about her, because she’ll walk over to make sure she’s ok. When she cries at night, Bella just glares at all of us. Last week when we were up for 3 solid nights in a row (that was a little rough), Bella looked a little worse for wear. She was so mad… and eventually went to sleep in one of the guest rooms.
And all of a sudden, starting yesterday, she gets it.
She actually wants to hang out and snuggle with me again,
(that was my lap for a couple of hours last night)
started bringing out her toys to play fetch again
and is more comfortable with her new sissy. She’s not allowed to kiss her on the face, but got in pretty close for a good smell today.
They’ll be best friends before we know it <3
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What dolls! Bella is so cute 🙂 She will start being a Nana dog before you know it.
Bella will be very protective of Livi soon when ‘strangers’ come to visit and do hold Livi because she accepted the little one as part of the pack now 😉
Oh my goodness, that picture of Bella under the crib is a HOOT! Made this pregnant girls belly hurt from laughing 🙂 What a sweet little girl Bella is. I hope my little furbaby handles things just as well.
Bella just makes my heart melt! 🙂
I love Bella’s sassy little face! Such an adorable dog. This post gives me hope that my Bella (a very spoiled yorkipoo) will adjust when I decide to start having kiddos.
I just had to comment that my mom had a yorkie poo that was the best, most ridiculous dog ever. He was so tiny and sweet.
The picture of Bella under the bed is priceless!!!
So precious.
So sweet. 🙂 I don’t have children of my own, but when my step mom was pregnant with my little sisters, our beagle would stand on his hind legs and put his paws on her belly. He became fast friends with my sister Aliyah… I think he liked the way she smelled, as she was breast-fed. They cuddled constantly. My sister Sarah was adored by our second dog, an Aussie shepherd. She’s a little high-strung, but absolutely adores little kids.
I’m glad that Bella is taking to Olivia so well. Some dogs get depressed when a new baby comes along, but she seems to be making the most of a situation that isn’t her ideal.
I’ve been reading your blog for over a year, and this is the second time I’ve commented. Guess that makes me an outed lurker… hehehe. Anyway, I’ll try to comment more, as I always enjoy your posts. Thought you should know that. 🙂
That last picture absolutely melts my heart! 🙂
My golden retriever was the same way with my son when I brought him home. At first he wanted nothing to do with him and then before we knew it he was his babysitter. Up until the day Shadow died, he protected and looked after my son. When Braxton would go outside to play so would shadow and shadow. I think it’s so cute when dogs take care of kids like that. 🙂
I don’t have a puppy or a baby, but this melts my heart a little.
Aw, so cute! Dogs are awesome 😀
We had a similar experience with our cat. The first few weeks he stayed away from the baby AND me! Ha, he knew this was all my fault. 🙂 He would give me the stink eye whenever Tyler cried but then he started getting used to her and wanted to hang out with his mama again. Now he curls up next to me on the couch, sniffs at her, and stands at her pack n play if she’s crying while I shower. She is starting to grab, however, and will be crawling soon so we will see how much he likes her then! Ha.
Love that last picture !! Livi looks so much like you there too !!
Oh yay. I am so glad it is working out! I suppose it just takes time.
I love Bella’s smirk in the first picture! It looks like your two girls are getting along well and I’m glad to hear that. Dogs are so intuitive and protective – Olivia will be lucky to have Bella as a companion 🙂
I grew up with a dog when I was little and it’s such a joy <3 They're like you're first play mate and bestfriend!
This was a sweet post. It also reminded me of Lady and the Tramp when Lady meets the new baby. That made me love it more!
haha that picture of her under the crib is so cute and hilarious 🙂
If Bella only knew how much she is going to benefit from Olivia in the future when she starts eating real food. She is bound to make messes or drop little snacks. Little Miss Bell will really appreciate her then!
Awww I love this post!
I’m nowhere near having a child, but I am curious with how my dog would react, ok, really nervous.
Glad to know it worked out and just took Bella getting used to/understanding what was going on.
And that glare when she was awoken in the middle of the night? Yes, I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. Sometimes I have to laugh at it, and I think it makes my pup more mad. Haha!
aww! So great that they have finally started “clicking” together. That’s one of my fears about adding a pet to our family- how will it affect my toddler and any babies to come. I probably worry too much though.
Olivia has the sweetest little face. She’s so pretty!
I just have to say Olivia has the best hair and eyebrows! She is so beautiful!
So adorable and touching! That’s a great idea of getting Bella acquainted with Olivia’s scent before y’all brought her home… She looks like she’s doing a great job being big sissy 🙂
P.S. Love the letters hanging over the crib!!!
The fluffy white dog + baby = cuteness overload
Your pictures of Bella and the baby are too adorable! CUTE OVERLOAD!
I can’t tell if Duke has adjusted to our 1-month old or not. He kind of ignores the baby, unless there’s spit up or something interesting to sniff. But he does get that “panic look” in his eyes when the baby is crying at 3 am, “Why won’t you do something about that?!?”
I’m so glad you are still posting about your new little family! My “old” life came to a screeching halt on December 20th, and I’m still trying to figure out this new one. Maternity leave is both a blessing and a curse!
The picture of Bella sniffing Olivia is way too cute. I love it! I’m glad Bella’s befriending the baby. I know a lot of families struggle with that.
Aw, love the pic of Bella sleeping under the cot! We have a dog named Bella too – she was a little excitable when we bought our boy home but was/is my constant companion and would sit with me and baby when we were up during the night. Our cats however…. the first one deserted the bed on the first night and the second cat a couple of nights later. They were most put out by a baby crying! They only started sleeping with us again after bubs moved into his own room!
Ohhh cute!! Two sweethearts! Ah! Your baby posts put a smile on my face everyday!!! (:
The picture of Bella sitting in front of the crib is priceless, as well as the one of her sniffing Olivia’s face.
That is just so darn cute. You did a great job introducing Bella to the baby, way to go mom and dad!
yay! so glad bella is already smitten with her littlest best friend! and thanks for continuing all your awesome posts while adjusting to your new life! you rock!
Love this. Our family dog passed away two years ago. He truely was a protector. Speck, a Boston terrier, chased off bears and mountain lions and managed to survive their attacks. We joke that he had 9 lives. Lol. When my nephew was born, my mom kept him durng the day. One day there,.e were tornadoes all around the area. She had to put Ethan down to gather supplies before they sought shelter. When ran back to grab him, Speck was sitting over him and on guard! Even after the storm blew over, he kept guard of Ethan. Precious animal.
This is such a cute post. Bella has an adorable little personality from what I can tell, she reminds me of my little white dog 🙂
I am so glad that Bella is adjusting well. When we came home with our first, my kitty wanted NOTHING to do with me! I was heartbroken, but once he figured out that the baby was not a threat to him, he slowly came around. When we had our second, he was so close with our first child that he adjusted so much better. Olivia is gorgeous!!
What a precious pic of Bella’s little legs sticking out. So sweet.
I figured bella would be accepting. Livi is precious!