Playmates

It seems like each week keeps getting past me before I am able to post. There are actually a number of things I would like to post about, but time is a major factor. Hopefully sometime soon I will get back to fully rolling in the blog world.

One of the major factors in my time lately is the kids. No big surprise, yet for some reason I still catch myself being surprised at how much time and energy it takes to raise small children. A friend stayed the night at our house earlier this week and he commented, "Is this normal? Is every evening this busy with the kids?" John and I laughed. The evening did not seem too chaotic to us. I guess in some ways we have become immune to the chaos. I realized recently that I have become the woman who carries on a phone conversation with a screaming child in the background. I used to be so distracted when I talked to women who talked over their toddlers, but now I know it is the only way to have a conversation. I am also the woman who consistently goes to work with baby poop on her clothes, but whatever.

In the midst of the chaos and redirecting, there have been many great moments. Grayson and Lu have started playing with each other more. They both share admiration for each other that warms my heart. I love seeing their bond grow. I love the moments when Grayson follows his big brother instinct to make sure Lu is treated fairly. I love watching Lu gaze at Grayson and smile at every little thing he does. I love listening to giggles turn into belly laughter in the back seat of the car as Grayson and Lu share an inside joke. So many days I look at Grayson and Lu and I sit in wonder about what is to come for them.

What Endears Me

I wish I had my camera on me at all times. Grayson and Lu have some of the funniest moments together. I love watching them communicate. So many giggles and sequels. I love how much they love each other. Grayson can put a smile on Lu's face like no one else. I pray that they will continue to grow together as close siblings. I really hope they will be good friends.

The other night Grayson tried to show Lu how to brush her non-existent teeth.

Weekend Recap: Laughter

I don't know when Grayson first laughed. Somehow I missed his initial laugh. Or maybe I didn't miss it, but I don't recall it. This evening John and I were chatting while Grayson was taking a bath. I was holding Lucy and she started making a noise. After Lucy made her noise a couple of times we realized she was LAUGHING! Her belly laugh was so endearing. The best part of the entire moment was that Lu was laughing at Grayson. Once Grayson realized he was making Lu laugh he hammed it up even more. It was one of those moments. 

And So it Begins

Today was the first day both Grayson and Lucy showed signs of irritability towards one another. It was the kind of irritability that only occurs between siblings. I wanted to live in a land of make-believe where both Lucy and Grayson would always adore each other, but I knew one day their reciprocal infatuation would give way to annoyance. I still hope that they will be good friends as they grow older, despite the times of driving each other mad. This morning Grayson decided he wanted to pretend that he was going to bite Lucy's face. Grayson very methodically opened his mouth, leaned slowly towards Lucy's face, and when he was within millimeters of biting her, Grayson puckered his lips and gave Lucy multiple kisses. The look of terror on Lucy's face as Grayson moved toward her with his jaw wide open, and then Lucy's confusion when she got kisses instead of a bite only encouraged Grayson to repeat his trick over and over. Eventually the terror and confusion wore off and Lucy got mad. As self-defense, Lucy started batting at Grayson's face every time he leaned in towards her. I probably could have stopped this interchange sooner, but I was intrigued. It was like watching wildlife. Later, both Grayson and Lucy were sitting in my lap. Out of excitement Lucy swung her arms and accidently scratched Grayson's face. Grayson took the scratch personally and you would have thought by the way he reacted that Lucy had just taken a machete to Grayson's face. When Grayson was able to gather his composure he asked that we put Lucy on the floor. I think both Grayson and Lucy have taken off their rose-colored glasses and are entering the world of sibling relationships.

30 Seconds of Expression With Lu

Lucy is starting to come out of the newborn fog and wake up a little. I am not exactly sure what her personality will be like, but I do know she will be different from Grayson. It took Grayson forever to start smiling. Not because he does not have a happy personality, but more because he is a very observant old soul. I am not sure Grayson had time to smile as a newborn; he was too busy computing the world. I think Lucy may be our free spirit with a hint of sass.

Here are some photos within a span of 30 seconds taken with my iPhone.