Sisters

It's been a beautiful thing to see Anni transform from the first and only child to a big sister.  While we've had our fair share of "nearly 3" tantrums, misunderstandings and crankiness recently, none of that is ever aimed at her baby sister.  She has a host of names for Miss Colette: Cowette, my baby, my baby sister, baby, Yi' Bit and whatever she hears me call her (sweetie, etc).  

Anni gravitates to her like a magnet: kisses, hugs, and sweet talk "Ohhh, I wuv you, baby.  You are so cute!" are a constant around here.  I love it... although it sometimes makes nursing hard when trying to balance a newborn and a nearly-three-year-old who is determined to join the baby on my lap so she can get some extra snuggles into the day.  It's worth it; though, as they'll only be this little and this new to the sibling thing once.

Yesterday, we were driving home from our first solo outing (the amazing mom's group I'm a part of, which happens to be half an hour or more away depending on traffic), and Miss Colette was flipping her lid as we waited at stop lights and stopped to fill up our completely empty gas tank.  Anni leaned over, talked to her, and gave her sister finger to suck on until we got on the highway and the rhythm of the wheels on the road soothed the baby to sleep.  

I was flabbergasted.  When did she become this grown-up girl who knows how to soothe babies and cares enough to do so?  Colette is so lucky to have her, my sweet Antonia.

My own sisters are so often my lifeline during long days, cooking emergencies and with general life questions that I'm so glad our girls have each other.

This relationship is something they'll have even after we're gone, and I hope we can foster it into a real friendship for both of them.  There's no question that there will be sibling bickering, fighting and angry words... but I know, from personal experience, that even after all that, having siblings as friends once you're out in the "adult" world is invaluable.    

I love watching their little relationship begin, and I can't wait to see how it blossoms as the years go by.