My Girls, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

As my "babies" birthday's approach (they are 4 years 4 days apart so I get to get all my mushy nostalgic stuff out in one great big gush each year) I keep having flashbacks.  Katie will be turning 7 and Emily will be turning 3 and most of their baby is gone.

Katie at about 9 months old.
Look at her hair!

My oldest Katie was a happy baby.  She hit the ground running.  Unlike most babies she was not (and never has been) one to test the water before she jumped in feet first.  She rolled, sat, crawled, pulled up and started walking all with seemingly no effort.  She did not rock in the crawl position and then tentatively take off.  She decided one day she would crawl and then she did.  She decided to walk and she did.  The dear girl even decided one day she would be a "big girl" and pee pee in the potty a month shy of turning 2 and with the exception of a few expected accidents she did.  A method that has worked well in some ways and in others I have to remind her that she has not always been able to do everything.  Some things have to be learned and practiced to gain skill.

As she's gotten older she has blossomed into a girl that loves life and everyone that's blessed her by being in it.  She's smart, kind, patient, has a magic touch with her younger sister and is the friend that cries because your crying.  She loves bows, makeup (for play only - though it does not stop her from trying to talk me into letting her wear it "out"), dresses and painting her nails in unique and exciting ways (thank you pinterest :) ).  She likes to do all those delightfully girly things but she also likes to go outback and literally become a mud monster with her friends, see who can catch the most lizards and have races with her friends regardless of how sweaty she gets.  She is goofy, loves to make anyone laugh and will stick up for a friend even if it costs her "cool points.  She has a tender heart and wears it boldly on her sleeve.  She has never met a stranger a fact that reminds me of my Papa and terrifies me at the same time.  Don't get me wrong...she's not perfect.  She's almost 7, it's unfair she has to do ALL the chores around here (yes I let her live after that statement), the same drive that had her just crawling away from me one day with no warning can frustrate her when math does not just come easy and she is often has to be reminded that life is not fair - nor has anyone promised it would be.  She's getting to a sharing stage and we are having more real life conversations.  We talk about her life, my life, the things we have going on and how they make us feel.  Most school days we have 30 minutes of just curling up on the couch watching TV and it's a special "us" time.

She's holding "Jingles"
who she still adores today.

Emily was a surprise.  We had decided Katie would be our only and accepted it, fully prepared to be a family of 3 and VOILA I discovered I was pregnant.  Both my hubby and Katie did a happy dance when the ultrasound determined that "it" would be a girl (Katie doesn't understand why people want to have boys) .  Katie had the final choice on Emily's name and it fits her perfectly.  Emily is more tentative and wants to test the water 2-3 times before she jumps in.  She has never been in a hurry to grow up and has taken each milestone gradually.  Unlike Katie, when Emily decided to crawl we knew for weeks it was coming because she started by getting on her hands and knees.  Once she had that down she started to rock, once she could do that without tumbling we had our first couple attempts at moving around.  Though unlike Katie who was content to stay within the limits we set for her, Emily has pushed against the lines from the minute she was expected to stay in them. 

I think if Emily had been our first born she would definitely be more of a hide behind mommy kind of kid but with her Big sis grabbing her and dragging her into the limelight she's had no choice but to adapt.  She's full of life and demands a smile from anyone she sees.  At almost 3 years old she has the ability to melt your heart and I am 95% sure she's becoming very aware of that ability.  She is someone that feels 150% and shows it.  When she's happy she glows, when she's mad you can almost hear the thunder roar, there is never any guess work what she's feeling  or why.  At almost 3 she's got (at least her mommy thinks so) an impressive vocabulary and loves to encourage anyone she thinks needs it.  She's also at that fun (insert tone dripping in sarcasm here) age of tattling and her favorite target is Katie.  She's my cuddle bug and as much as Katie likes to curl up with her daddy after a long day or run errands with him, Emily prefers her mommy most days and while she's getting to the "let me me do it!" age, she still thrilled to see me whether I've been gone 5 minutes or all day.

The two of them together are amazing.  I don't think they yet fully realize their power.  When is comes to Katie - Emily prefers no one else.  She will tell you "Sissy is my bes fren" and if you want to know all of Emily's most recent accomplishments then just ask Katie.  She'll list them off.

They love to play together and Emily adores the challenge that is keeping up with Katie.  Katie on the other hand is developing the patience only a sister can inspire a need for and will go slower so that Emily can feel like she's keeping up.

Great Example of Goofiness!

So that's enough of my waxing poetic.  They are my darlings.  Such a great example of something I ask God for and he did not just fill my cup but overflowed it.  They breathe possibility into my day every day.  I love them with all my heart and I as much as I miss their baby days I am thrilled to watch them develop into such wonderful girls.  Independent even if it breaks my heart, kind, loving, strong, patient, full of life and willing to stand up for each other.  They are amazing girls and as I mourn what won't be again, I will also look forward to what's coming.  Holding on with both hands I gladly go on this adventure with them.

What's changing in a good way for you?  

God Bless!

Melissa

ETA: Katie read this post out loud before I posted it and her cheeks turned an adorable shade of red when she got to the point I was telling everyone about her pee-peeing in the potty.  Priceless.