siblings {july}

Right, I'm calling it... officially my new favourite photo of the two of them. Mainly because I think it captures the true nature of their personalities and their relationship. You can just tell there is cheekiness going on by simply looking at them. And that tends to be the story of our days. The biggest smiles always come from a sneaky bit of mischief, and sneaky mischief always happens when they are together.

I snapped these photos after they were having a particularly enthusiastic bed jumping session, which appears to be a new favourite thing for them to do, which is kind of annoying when you've just made the bed... for the fifth time that day. But the conspiratorial giggles and the shared naughty glances totally make up for the crumpled sheets and strewn pillows... just.

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siblings {may}

It seems appropriate to me some how that the majority of my photos of this brother-sister duo, are of the backs of their heads this month. They are always off adventuring together; making up a game... or more than likely making some mischief together. And while it often leaves poor old Mummy out in the cold, I wouldn't have it any other way.

The gift I wanted my children to have in a sibling was a companion. And I think around the time my daughter was born I used the words "I love that they will always have some to go out and explore the big wide world with". And that is exactly what they have in one another. There is nothing they would rather be doing that "explorering" together, and nothing makes me prouder than to witness it.

They are so alike in many ways; with their matching fair locks and big brown eyes. Their voices sound increasingly similar, and they share the same infectious laughter. They are so often mistaken for twins, and I can really see why. They are just so close, all the time. 

But in other ways they are so incredibly different; where one likes to bend the rules (her) the other likes to follow them to the letter (him), where one tends to be outgoing and friendly (him) the other is more reserved (her), and where one tends to be brave, the other will be more cautious (but they take it in turns on this one). 

Their differences set them apart from one another, define them as individuals, define the ways we treat them, and the way they will be as they grow. But at the same time their differences seem to compliment one another so well. And they learn so much from the other's strengths and weakness... seemingly without realising. She encourages him to push boundaries, take risks and find adventures, and he stops her from going too far and keeps her safe. 

Their personalities may be different, but they are shaping each other all the time. As parents we like to think that we are forming these little people into the grown ups that they will one day be, but lately I've been struck by how much credit these two will be able to take for the kind of adult that the other becomes. Because the beauty of the friendship they share, is that they are having a part in raising each other, and that couldn't make me prouder.

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siblings {november}

It feels like with every month that passes these two become a little closer, a little more like partners in crime. We see glimpses these days of the tussling and shoving and telling tales that is so much a part of being brother and sister. 

They want to do everything together, and with that comes inevitable clashes. The cuddling, wrestling and general rolling around together that starts with giggles and tickles, can often end with someone getting a bit cross, fed up or in tears.

And strange as it may seem, I really like seeing this side of their relationship grow. We're having to learn to step back as parents, and leaving them to negotiate and fight their own battles a little bit more. But that is part of what I wanted my children to have siblings for; to learn those lessons in compromise, trust and loyalty.

Because as much as they can push one another's buttons at times, they are each others fiercest ally and strongest defender. They'll chatter in the car and politely tell us to be quiet if we try to join the conversation, they regularly shout at us if we make the other upset with a telling off, and they run to comfort each other at the first sign tears. 

Their relationship is the push and pull that all the best friendships are made of.

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a boy and girl bedroom

My kiddies share a bedroom, and luckily this works really well for us. They are both pretty good sleepers, and they seem to genuinely enjoy sharing their bedroom space.

As they get older, their bedroom is increasingly becoming their haven; a space they run off to together, to giggle and play and hatch plans. And as they get older, it some how seems more important for them to have ownership of their room; for it to be really theirs.

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siblings {october}

Last month as I sat down to write my Siblings post,

I had this horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach,

about something beautiful which was about to be spoilt.

My little twosome have become thick as thieves over the summer months

and with the impending start of preschool for our little man,

I was so worried what affect that time apart was going to have on their relationship.

Well that worry was entirely needless.

In fact these two are proof positive that the old saying

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder" is truth.

Because their mornings apart only seem to have made them closer.

They squeal with excitement when they are reunited each day

and they make up for lost time in the afternoons by doing everything together.

In fact I will confess,

these photos of them this month are some of my favourites of them, ever.

They actually bring a big wet tear to my eye

and a big fat lump to my throat.

Sure, they are a bit grainy where I had to crank the ISO to make up for the dim overcast light,

and nothing about the set up is especially exciting.

But this is them,

100%, completely, totally and utterly them.

Something about their relaxed smiles,

something in the way the giggles travel all the way to their matching eyes,

something in the completely obvious love and adoration between them

even while they just play a silly game with their brother and sister bunnies;

well it just makes me so incredibly proud

that those two crazy little creatures are mine,

and so proud that they love each other so damn much.

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siblings {september}

Something has really changed between these two over the last month or so;
they have become a real team, a little unit of their own.
I think its because as they get older, their age gap seems to get smaller,
as they become more equal and enjoy things together more.
And it's just the most amazing thing to watch
as they have these beautiful and spontaneous moments all their own.

In fact we don't even always get to witness these moments,
as the two of them choose to go off and play together away from us.
They love playing in their bedroom together,
and listening to them giggle and play makes me realise
just how separate their friendship is from me.
We may have given them each other,
but what they have isn't something that their daddy and mummy get to be part of.

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siblings {august}

It seems apt that all the photos I have of my little twosome this month,

are of the back of two little blonde heads,

as they venture off into the distance.

Because these two seem to have been permanently off exploring together this summer

and it's strengthened their relationship so much,

and made their bond something with is very much theirs

and not something we're part of.

They have always liked one another,

always been happy to be together,

but over this summer I would say they have become real friends.

They are also really starting to lead one another astray some of the time,

but that's just another part of the sibling job description.

They are playmates now,

they are partners in crime.

A brother and a sister,

each other's first best friend.

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siblings {july}

I've always seen giving my children a sibling as a total gift.

I love that they will always have someone to go through life with,

that constant and loyal companion;

someone they can sit happily in silence with, 

and who they can laugh raucously with.

It's such a beautiful thing to see them;

embracing the world together,

exploring things side by side,

sharing new experiences,

and enjoying their adventures more,
simply because they've enjoyed them as a pair.

I feel so lucky that they are such good friends,

and that they seem to love each other so wholeheartedly.

I know they won't always feel that way about one another,

but I hope they'll always remember that they were each other's first friend,

and that together they were always happier.

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better together

I feel so lucky that my children adore each other as much as they do.

I know that, with siblings, these things are never a given

and that their relationship could and will change in phases and over time.

But when you have a second child

it's very much a voyage into the unknown,

and I know I spent a good proportion of my second pregnancy

looking forward to seeing my two children together,

but also worrying that we could be about to seriously rock the boat.

8

siblings {may}

Every afternoon these two have a patch of what can only be described as crazy time.

They go, quite frankly, a little bit bonkers.

It's that funny period of time between nap time and dinner time,

and as often as possible I'll try to get us out of the house at this time

so that they can properly let of steam.

It's exhausting,

but honestly, there is something about that time of day

which is totally full of magic

and an undefinable quality that I wish I could bottle up and keep forever.

This is the time of day when they really play together.

They will chase each other,

up and down, and round and round,

all while squealing with laughter

and occasionally falling into full blown hysteria.

They get so noisy and so over-excited.

And it would be so easy for me to get annoyed,

to try and stop the racket,

and sit them down to do something quietly instead.

But it's in those moments every afternoon

that I see so clearly

why having more than one child was so important to us as a family.

Because they quite simply adore each other;

as they laugh and chase and share smiles,

and delight in a crazy game that we'll never quite understand,

but which is theirs.

So long may our crazy afternoons continue

because the sound of their combined laughter

is the best sound on earth.

  

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siblings {february}

The thing I love the most about watching my two children together,

is thinking of where their relationship might take them as they grow up.

I love the fact that for their whole lives 

they will have a person that they've shared so much history with,

someone who I hope will just 'get them' like no one else does.

Someone who they can tease and joke with, 

someone they can put in their place when needed,

and someone who will always be there for them.

"Be nice to your siblings; 

they are the best link to your past 

and the people most likely to stick with you in the future."

I think these lyrics from Baz Luhrmann's Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) sum it up perfectly.

There is something beautiful about the nostalgia that siblings can share,

and the support they can give one another. 

I know that my brother and I fall into old but familiar roles when we are together,

and there is something really comforting about that.

And that is what I love about seeing my two together right now,

the beginnings of that bond.

The push and pull of negotiating a space together,

the searching for one another and delighting in each other,

those cheeky glances and moments of shared laughter,

which all seem so new right now,

but which will be the backbone of their childhoods.

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your thirty-sixth month

Three years had past us by in a flash.

2

together

I make no secret of my absolute obsession with seeing my children together.

I just can't get enough of it.

Their bond just fascinates me;

the way that it "just is".

They just get each other somehow.

And the flush of pride I get knowing that those two adorable little creatures are mine,

its priceless.

10

the best mummy i can be

I don't think I'm alone in wanting to always do the best for my children.

I think all mothers harbour ideas of being a super mum;

who looks fantastic,

has well behaved and well turned out children,

who simultaneously juggles providing engaging and educational activities,

while baking a cake,

keeping an immaculate house,

and making sure her children feel completely self confident, listened to and loved.

I will put my hands up and say right now,

that I fail.

On all of these things.

It doesn't make me a failure

but I can't do it all, all the time.

The truth is that I don't think anyone can.

26

your twenty-ninth month

You were such a sweet and funny little guy.

7

looking

7

a promise...

When monsters lurk in corners, behind curtains and under beds

and nightmares haunt your peaceful sleep.

I will be your comfort blanket, your nightlight and a soothing lullaby

and my hugs will bring your sweeter dreams.

When bumped heads, grazed knees and cut fingers ruin your play

and bring big fat tears to roll down your cheeks

I will be the healing magic, the "mummy doctor" and a superhero 

who can take pain away with a kiss.

When things go wrong, life is unfair and it just don't go your way

and you need talking to about life and love.

I will be the compass that sets you back on the right path

and reminds you of who you are and how wonderful you can be.

When life beckons and you are afraid or unsure,

and the world seems too big and too scary.

I will be the wind in your sails, your anchor and your safe harbour,

and I'll help you to sail and fly.

When awards are granted, grades are earned, games are won

and you are shining brighter than the brightest of stars.

I will be your champion cheerleader, full of unimaginable pride;

your biggest fan in the whole wide world.

When you are big and grown up, 

with a job and a home and a family of your own.

I will be a faithful friend, the listening ear and the nest you can always come back to

and you will always be a baby to me.

35

because

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big brother, little sister

I cannot even begin to tell you

how much these two bless me,

how much they make me smile

how much they warm my soul

and how much they make my heart swell with pride.

21

in a flash . . .

You hear parents saying it a lot;

that time flies,

that children grow up fast.

But sometimes moments happen

and it seems like life flashed before your eyes.

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