siblings {august}


I often feel like a bit of a stuck record talking about these two, because honestly I'm a little bit obsessed with watching their relationship. I have been since before the beautiful girl was even born. I dreamed about the day I'd introduce my first born to his baby brother or sister, and their bond has continued to fascinate me ever since. It's such a fluid thing; it changes and grows with them, but is probably one of my proudest things as a parent... I watch them with a big smile feeling ridiculously proud of myself, because "I gave them that."

People seem to assume that brothers love rough and tumble 'boy play' best with other brothers, and that sisters have this special unique 'girls with sisterhood' bond... and honestly it makes me a bit defensive of my little brother-sister pairing. Because I honestly think they have the perfect best friend in one another. Yes they have days when they seem determined to just irritate the other slowly but surely, and they have days when they seem to practically ignore one another as they happily go about their own things. But they are always connected. Which I am aware sounds a bit weird, and it's a hard thing to explain, but I just feel like they are somehow always aware of the other, even when they don't seem to be actively interested in what each other are doing. So many people who meet my children, even when it's only for a few minutes in a cafe or a queue in a shop, will comment on how close they are and what good friends they are. It seems to shine out of them when they are together I think.



There are times when the beautiful girl will chat with such excitement and enthusiasm that we end up with no clue what she is talking about, but her brother always knows. No one can get the beautiful boy to apologise or make friends again faster than she can, because he hates her being upset and she just won't let him not be her bestie... even for a minute. They have these funny little sayings now that they say when they are together; I have no idea whatsoever what they mean, but it causes a lot of giggling. They love having their little in jokes just for them. And when she gets up from her nap, its's often him she'll snuggle up next too while she 'comes round', and he will just casually shift across the sofa to make room for her. They don't need words or discussions, they just want to be together.

And honestly, sometimes I feel really apprehensive about adding another little person into their perfect little mix. Change is scary, especially when things seem so wonderful just as they are. Our beautiful boy and girl are so close, both in their bond and in their ages, that I worry their baby sister is always doomed to be left out. But at the same time I worry that one or other of them may be so wrapped up in the excitement of the new baby, that they neglect what they have with each other. But then on the flip side, I really hope that the fact they have each other is going to make the transition from two to three children a little smoother, as they adore each other so much that I don't think there will be any worry about mummy jealousy... a lot of the time I don't think they care if I'm there or not as long as they have each other to play with.


I know that I can't predict the future, and that the chances are that all my worries will prove to be pointless, and that somehow, without my help, my three children will find their own way. That brother-sister relationship just seems so sacred and precious to me at the moment, that I'd protect it with all I have, and it's difficult to be entering into an unknown and wondering how it will all turn out. I know that ultimately they'll forge their own relationships, and just as I have so far with two children, I will watch the three of them with nothing but pride that I gave them that. 

There will be big bro and big sis, big bro and little sis, big sis and little sis, and also them as a team of three; four gorgeous relationships to watch grow and change over the years as they grow and change.


Something I love about taking these monthly photos is the chance to revisit past photo spots. We went to this same sunflower field last August, and looking back at last years photos makes me so nostalgic about how much my children have changed over the past year.

Do go and check out my cohost Annie and her beautiful Siblings photos this month; I love seeing her photos of her brother-sister siblings because I feel like it gives me a little glimpse of whats to come. And link up your Sibling posts below, I can't wait to see them all.

dear beautiful


40 comments

  1. I love that first photo with the sunflowers - your beautiful girl is suddenly looking so grown-up this month. I love reading about the bond between your two beautiful children and it is certainly something that shines out of all your photos of them. I can imagine that this must be a bit of a bittersweet time, watching them together and knowing that their time as just a twosome is about to change. They are clearly very loving children and I am sure that they will be wonderful with a new baby sister. It will be so interesting to see the little relationships that form between each of them and their new sister alongside the wonderful bond that they have together. Hope you enjoy the rest of the summer and thank you for hosting the #siblings project :-)

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    1. Bittersweet is definitely the right word; every one is excited to meet the new addition, but the changes feel scarier now they are getting closer. I just hope that their love will just grow to accommodate their new sister, as ours will too. x

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  2. Such a beautiful backdrop for their photos this month, and you can see how close they are to one another. As you say, their bond with each other is probably what will help them adjust most easily to a new baby, as they'll still have each other whilst you're tending to baby x

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    1. Yes, I do hope it will help with the adjustment; time will tell I guess. And we love a trip to the sunflowers, its such a beautiful back drop. x

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  3. Living in a rural part of the country here on Anglesey, you'd think I could find fields like this to take lovely pictures of my kids :(

    I have an older boy and two younger girls, the three of them run rings around me. The two girls have only just started playing properly together (youngest daughter is only nearly 2 and the my other daughter is almost) but the big brother is the hero (he's 9) - they both idolise him. Your newest arrival will just slot right in as though she was always there xxx

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    1. I suspect that our big boy will be something of a hero character too. And I think our daughter will have different relationships with her two siblings either side. I'm excited to see how it all turns out... wish I had a crystal ball. x

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  4. Oh I just love the setting for this months photo Lucy!! Your kids definitely love the outdoors don't they.

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    1. Thank-you. They certainly are happiest out of doors and exploring together. And its so lovely to watch them. x

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  5. These are lovely shots Lucy and those sunflowers are so beautiful. I love the one of them running off into the fields. And I loved what you said about the fact that BB knows what his sister is saying, we often have to ask Mads what on earth LL is on about. I am so behind in my blog commenting but just had to come and see your photos before we start the day! xx

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    1. Running off into the fields was definitely a theme of the trip... they just wanted to run down the road together hand in hand, and then run back, and then run away again. Bigger siblings are definitely useful little translators at times; mostly we know what the little miss is on about but sometimes she just talks so fast we lose all clue of what's going on... and I love that her bro still knows what she's on about. x

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  6. So lovely Lucy. I know that we can't determine how our children's relationships change over time but we can give them a solid and nurturing start in life and influence how they value family. My parents never really embraced the concept of family when I was growing up and my own brother and I rarely speak as a result. Sad I know, but it has me realise how important these times with Kit and Ozzy together is going to be in cementing their future relationship x

    Thanks for hosting and sorry for leaving a heavy comment!

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    1. I hate the thought that they might be detached, disinterested siblings one day. I just hope that by putting a high value on their relationship as parents, maybe they'll value it more as they grow. x

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  7. Such beautiful photos. I love sunflowers!

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    1. Thanks lovely. It's like a field of sunshine, right? x

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  8. Such a lovely setting for your photographs and their bond really does sound so special. I am the other way round to most people because I had a younger brother and we have always been so close, we were best friends when we were young and apart from a brief spell when I was a moody teenager and his was still in primary school we have continuing to be super close. Even now our family say they can't keep up with us when we get going chatting to each other! I love having my three boys but I think because it was different to what I grew up with I sometimes wish they could have had the brother/sister relationship. All three of your children will be close I am sure of it because you foster that kind of relationship in your family, it is beautiful xx

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  9. Beautiful photos! The backdrop is just stunning, and your kids look so lovely together. I totally get what you mean about feeling so proud that you have "given" this to them. I feel the same. I'm an only child and all I ever wanted growing up was a sibling, and I feel like I have "given" this "gift" to my daughter and son, even if they may be too young yet to appreciate it. I also agree that there is something special about a brother-sister relationship, and I love observing how their relationship keeps changing and developing. Your boy and girl have such lovely, strong bond, it will help them so much having each other to transition to another sibling, I'm sure! x

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  10. Your two are beautiful in ever way Lucy. Their relationship is so special, I love how BB often has a protective arm over BG in your photos. These pictures are gorgeous, I love the different flowers - they make a perfect setting. Thanks for hosting xx

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  11. Lovely photos, I am so excited to see your baby girl come into this relationship as it is one of the most beautiful sibling ones I have ever seen.
    I love the Sunflower backdrop xx

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  12. Ah Lucy I love all of these photos, They seem like such a loving pair, its amazing watching them like this isn't it? interacting with one another in their own little magical worlds and I love the way the picture of them running is just showing the amount of freedom they feel when in each others company :) x

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  13. These are just the most beautiful photos. The setting is, of course, stunning, but the little moments you have caught of your two together are just wonderful. The hand holding and the protective arm. You can see how close they are. Such a special, precious relationship x

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  14. Such beautiful photos as always Lucy, you always capture their relationship so well! I can't wait for my two to be a similar age to do the same. I love see what they both get up to, and look forward to seeing them as a three! xx

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  15. Lovely photos as always Lucy... I so hope my little boy/girl mix will be the same. Ava starts school in September, so I'm hoping Heidi and Jonas will have their little friendship thing going just like my big two. Honestly agree that watching this sibling thing is one of the lovliest things about being a mummy!

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  16. Whenever I read your posts I always think what an amazing bond your kiddies have and I hope my 2 have a similar bond as they grow. Having a 3rd will undoubtedly change their relationship but I don't think that will be a negative, quite tell opposite. Xx

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  17. That sunflower shot is gorgeous. I bet thinking about the addition of a new sibling is scary. I know I have had fears about the time we will introduce a new sibling to M. It's always going to be a worry, but you're doing a great job teaching two little people to show love, so am sure a third is going to feel just as loved by her sibling's.

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  18. Gosh Lucy — for the first time, I can see a glimpse of what they'll look like when they're grown up!!! Teens — or older!! WOW! Just like that! Beautiful pics in a glorious setting!! xx #Siblings

    Caro | www.thetwinklediaries.co.uk

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  19. Such a beautiful setting for your beautiful children!

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  20. What gorgeous summer photos, I love the last one especially. Lovely to hear about their special bond, which as you said will probably make those absorbing newborn days a little easier for both of them.

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  21. Two peas in a pod as always what a beautiful setting and gorgeous sibling photos this month hunny. It really shows them looking so grown up and BG is looking so much older now. WOW! Thanks for hosting lovely.

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  22. What gorgeous photos - the flowers are perfect. It sounds like interact so well together. It will be interesting to see how the new relationships develop!
    #siblings

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  23. I love that field for photos. So beautiful! I know that when you introduce a new baby it's scary to change the dynamic and agree also because it's great how it is. I'm sure it'll all work out fine though x

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  24. Oh such beautiful photos, especially the first of them among the sunflowers. I don't honestly think it matters what gender a sib-set are - it's all about th e individuals. I had just one sister and we were never good friends like this growing up, we fought like cat & dog!! But I had a foster brother & sister (who were biological brother & sister) and they were the closest set of siblings I've ever known - from the time they were 3 and 6, even now that they're 13 and 16...even at those awkward ages they are so very close and just the best of friends. I'm sure your beautiful two will just be the same, and little sister will slot in just perfectly <3

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  25. Absolutely gorgeous photos. It really does sound like they are the best of friends.

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  26. Aaw they really are such a lovely little pair! I'll be watching with interest once your new little lady arrives, and for you to tell us what the dynamic is like then. I keep swinging back and forth at having a 3rd baby, as I'm worried about it changing the relationship between F & S, or like you say, number 3 being left out. I'm sure I'm worrying over nothing though, plenty of people have 3 children who are all close! x

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  27. Gorgeous photos. It does sound like they have a wonderful relationship but I am sure that the new baby will slot in just perfectly, and will have two very willing and loving big siblings to look after her as well :)

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  28. As one of three myself, I know I wouldn't have it any other way so I think your two will adore having a new sibling and will probably team up to 'look after' them all the time too :-) Gorgeous pics as ever - the one of them running off holding hands is my favourite.

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  29. They will be an amazing Big Sister and Big Brother to their new little sister! I loved meeting you and your littles earlier in August. My daughter loved playing with your children. They are very special children and siblings. Big Hug!

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  30. they are just the cutest! you can really tell how much they love each other x

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  31. What an amazing field of flowers! I can understand your apprehension about changing the dynamics when your newest little girl arrives, but your two seem to be such loving, big-hearted children, that I'm sure that their little circle of two will simply expand to let their little sister in.

    Thanks again for this lovely linky x

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  32. Stunning captures of your beauties as always

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  33. Hi Lucy these pics are gorgeous and I love this linky, I have been reading some from previous months and its all so lovely!! - I tots may have to join you next week for September. I love the concept of watching their relationships and specifically talking about that x

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