Since I was sick for a while this summer, for a time, my son’s only understanding of Mommy’s having a baby has been “Mommy is sick a lot.” But now that I’m feeling better and we’ve seen the little Monkey on an ultrasound and all that, my son is getting quite excited. I’m currently 17 weeks pregnant and my son is almost 4. I don’t look huge yet, but he loves to talk to the baby through my belly and sometimes pretends “baby” is crying and needs a hug. I don’t mind the extra hugs. He also prays, at random times through the day, “to please bless Mommy to not throw up again.” I don’t mind the extra prayers either.

Some big brother books have been quite a hit around our house. The first author we read was Joanna Cole, who happens to have a few books relating to growing a baby and dealing with a new sibling. I first encountered Joanna Cole’s helpful picture books back when my was in the process of toilet training: he really enjoyed reading of young Michael’s story of success in My Big Boy Potty (thoughts here).  Likewise, Ms. Cole’s two illustrated books relating to childbirth were ones my son identified with.

I’m a Big Brother (HarperCollins, 1997) captures the changes that come to a young boy’s family when a little sibling joins the mix. It emphasizes that babies do different things from a toddler/preschooler, and my son liked relating to the boy who became a big brother. (Joanna Cole also has the similar I’m a Big Sister).

The spectacular When You Were Inside Mommy by Joanna Cole (HarperCollins, 2001) explains the process of pregnancy in simple terms perfect for a three-year-old child. After we read this book, my son took to explaining to me how a baby is made in his words, and I’d suggest it’s the perfect go-to book for a parent hoping to explain to a young preschooler just how babies are grown inside Mommy’s belly.

I’ve read so many more books about babies with my son. Click on the babies tag to find them all.

P.S. I’ll find out in just a few weeks if Monkey is a boy or a girl. Which do you predict?