Big Bro, Little Sis

Our family hit a big milestone recently, as Kelsey turned a year, Ethan and Kels turned a year as brother and sis.  

Aaron and I have enjoyed watching their relationship develop over the last 13 months.  As Kelsey grew stronger and more coordinated, Ethan began to have more and more fun playing with her.  

And after just a year, they really do play well together and enjoy each other.  

Which is a good thing, since they spend most waking hours around the other.  

They play best together when we are at home together by ourselves, when Ethan isn't distracted by other kids.

Their favorite game is bouncing on the bed together (super safe, I know).  They play it morning and giggle and giggle the whole time.

Ethan has shown her how to bounce off onto the bean bag and has perfected the jumping tuck 'n roll (the bed is only a foot off the ground...).

E being a 2 1/2 year old boy has fearless side to him.  But it is a little scary to see Kels' fearless side when she is following him.  

But watching her look at her brother, makes it worth the worry.  You can see the admiration in her eyes and the desire to be just like him.

E also adores his sister.  It is the sweetest thing to hear him say he 'lubs her lots'.

The two of them get a lot of time together in a close space in the chariot when we go out biking or walking.  

As with any relationship in a tight space, it exaggerates their extremes.  At the worst of it, they fight, hit, push and cry at eachother.

At the best of times, they are hugging and kissing on eachother or reading books together.  

One of my favorite moments between the two of them was one day in the chariot, E calls up to me 'Hold Bebe, Bebe sleep'.  

When I looked down, he had his arm around her shoulders and she had fallen asleep on his chest.  As I was watching, he leaned in and kissed her forehead.  E was so proud because he knew he had done well.  

He now often holds her while she sleeps, because she has no idea of personal space and is often laying all over him.  

Watching the two of them together, we are starting to see the differences in their personalities come out.

And of course, we are also having fun watching to see how similar they are in other ways.

At least twice a week I get a comment from friends, family or strangers about how much they look a like and how as they grow they are looking even more a like.  

And those that know the whole family always follow that with, and it's amazing how much they look like their dad and nothing like their mom.  :)

A day at the museum together:

I am truly enjoying this special time in our families life, having both our kiddos at home sharing their time and building their relationship together, before they starting heading out for school.

They have created that special bond between siblings that will last all their life!