BFFs

Y'all, I don't know when I've ever felt so blessed.  There are so many reasons why I was excited to find out that Carys was in fact Carys and not little Jackson.  Mostly these reasons had to do with fear of the unknown...I am realizing just how much boys differ from girls, and it's not just anatomy, folks!!  But, I was also excited to see another baby in some of the cute outfits that Cora wore.  And, I was excited that the girls could share a room.  Don't get me wrong; I would be over the moon if Carys had turned out to be Jackson.  It's just that I know Carys is here because of a divine plan.  If having Cora has taught me anything, it is that the children God blesses you with are not chance mixtures of DNA.  These girls are definitely mine for a purpose.  I mean, I never knew parenting could be so exhilarating, exciting, heart-wrenching, frustrating, and maddening all at the same time.

I remember watching Cora play outside one day and dreaming about the day that she would have a 'built in' little playmate of her own.  However, being that I am from a long (LONG) line of worriers, when we did find out that Cora would have a little playmate, I worried that the girls would be too far apart in age to really become friends.  Thank goodness God is sovereign and not me!  Imagine my surprise when I discovered that my girls are already best friends!

It seems that the platitude about love not dividing between two kids, but multiplying is true for children as well as parents.  I think Cora's heart grew exponentially the day she met Carys, too.  This picture surely confirms that statement!

When Cora came to the hospital to visit me after I had Carys, I heard her yelling "Mommy?!" as she came down the hall to my room.  After that, though, her eyes were all on Carys.  It's like she knew she was going to have a special relationship with that tightly swaddled bundle of arms and legs.  Nowadays, it's the same song, different verse.  When I get Cora up in the morning, I always get a "Hi, Mommy!"  But what really makes her day is seeing her Sissy.  (And, believe me, Sissy is just as excited to see Sister!)

 I get a huge charge out of watching them play together.  At this point, it is mostly Cora acting goofy and Carys responding, but there is nothing more exciting than seeing the girls enjoying each other's company.  Cora even invented a game for her.  She starts with her back turned at the front door, and she yells "Hooray for....."  She turns around and runs to Carys (sitting in the exersaucer) as she yells "CARYS!!!"  The wee babe finds this game to be endlessly entertaining.  And, the (not so) little missy gets a thrill out of making Sissy laugh and smile.  

Carys, for her part, seems to think that Cora hung the moon.  I somewhat fear the implications of this.  I'm sure that much mischief is in their future.  Cora is a masterful negotiator, and Carys is a happy-go-lucky observer.  I feel certain that Cora will be the mastermind, but Carys will be the muscle.  Parenting most surely keeps me on my toes!

But, nobody ever said that parenting is easy.  And, if a little mischief is the price of a lifelong and deep friendship, then bring it on!  I'm up for the challenge!