Passing on sisterhood: No traveling pants required

On a bright summer day, two little girls splash through the sprinkler in the backyard. They roar around the driveway on big wheels. They make tall castles in a green, turtle shaped sandbox. But they also pull hair and squabble over toys. They fight, they make-up, and they love... each other in a way only sisters can.

These are the memories of my childhood. I hope one day they will be the memories

of Grace Ann & Alexanda Lily. Two blessed, beautiful, and loved little girls. Life came full circle this week. One of my little sisters- Colleen- became a mother. Our babies are just three months apart.

As we welcome them into the world, we wait to see what their personalities will be. We wait to see if one will refuse to wear a dress, have a huge heart, and have no problem eating catepillars off the porch floor... like Colleen. Or if one will want to save the world, never stop talking, and hate to get dirty... like me. Maybe, if we are lucky, these two girls will have the best of both of us.

However they turn out to be... we will pass on the lessons of sisterhood. We will teach them to laugh, to love those who love them back, be kind, make mischief, keep their grandparents on their toes, pick out pretty dresses and play dress up, comb each other's hair (not cut it :), and play together like the sun will never set. One day, we'll watch them ride bikes together, fall down and get back up. We'll watch them go to school, learn, and become wise. We'll watch them have their heartbroken and then find the love of their lives. And maybe, just maybe, we'll be lucky enough to watch them become mothers themselves.

Sisterhood- whether it is by blood, friendship or circumstance- is a powerful, wonderful concept. Pass it on. Watch it grow. Keep in your heart.

I love you Colleen. You are already a fantastic mother. And Carol, I know one day, you will be too.

The bumps & bruises along the way: First trip to the ER

Grace,

When you are reading this much later in life, please know that Mommy did not mean for you to get hit in the head by a basketball at your very first Memorial Day cookout... at the tender age of 13 weeks. It came out of nowhere and the little girl who made the shot felt very, very bad. We took you to the ER and Mommy and Daddy spent the next several hours thinking of how inadequate we were in preventing this from happening. However, we were overjoyed when the ER doc pronounced you perfect in every way!

You were such a trooper. You cried for just a couple of minutes then started laughing and smiling your infectious, wonderful smile. I think it was one of my favorite smiles so far because it told me that you would be okay. I'm sure this will be just one of many bumps and bruises along the way but I'll never stop trying to prevent them and I'll never stop being there to wipe your tears away when they do. This is what mommys do. It is in the definition of mommyhood. Your pain is my pain. When you cry, I feel it in my heart and soul... even when it's just because you didn't get your way!

Sometimes it is the words of others who capture moments like this...
such as this quote from Elizabeth Stone- “Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”

Or the advice from a friend and colleague:
1. They are stronger and tougher than they look.
2. They will always seem vulnerable to you.
3. Keep a good friend nearby to remind you how strong, healthy, happy and well-adjusted they are. -Marisol G.

I am so lucky to have a wonderful husband, family and friends around me to remind me that you are strong, healthy and happy... and hopefully always will be.

And since I cannot put you in a glass bubble or shield you from the dangers of the world, I think I'll turn to teaching you the tools you will need to survive, thrive and love despite the bumps and bruises along the way.

Love,
Mom