I’m a Baby Too

Bo is the new baby. Nia is the other one.

Baby Bo came home in a blue blanket, and Mum carried him everywhere. Nia lay down on the rug and kicked her legs in the air. “Waa,” said Nia. “I’m a baby too.”

Mum looked at Nia for a long time. “All right,” said Mum. “But babies don’t walk.” So Mum pulled Nia to lunch in the laundry basket. Scrape, scrape, scrape.

“And babies don’t eat sandwiches,” said Mum. She ate Nia’s sandwich herself. Then she mashed Nia’s peas and tied on a bib. “Waa,” said Nia, a bit more quietly. “I’m a baby too.”

After lunch, the babies had a nap. Bo went to sleep at once. Nia lay under the blanket with her eyes wide open, for one minute, two minutes, three… “Is it morning yet?” said Nia.

“Shh,” said Mum. “Babies don’t talk.” Nia had a lot to say. She said all of it with her eyebrows.

Bo hadn’t cried once all day. Nia thought he probably didn’t know how. So she showed him. “WAAAAAA!” Bo slept. Mum put her fingers in her ears.

Mum lifted Bo onto her lap. “Oh dear,” she said. “It’s time for Bo’s first cuddle with his big sister.” Nia sat up.

“Babies don’t hold babies,” said Mum. Nia thought about the laundry basket. She thought about the mush. “I’m a baby too,” said Nia. “And a big sister.” Mum moved over.

Nia sat right back with a cushion under her arm, the way Mum showed her. Bo was heavier than he looked, and warmer. He opened one eye. Then he opened his mouth…

“WAAAAAA!” said Bo. “See?” said Nia. “I taught him that.”