A Bond

Okay, so I know Phoebe looks a bit nervous here (and uncharacteristically serious in all these shots), but these two have a sweet little bond growin'.

Stella and Phoebe have a funny little relationship. Unlike most of our friends with toddlers and new babes, our girls seem to be slowly warming up to one another instead of being best buds right off the bat. Actually that's not really true. Stella is slowly warming up to Phoebe. Phoebe thinks Stella hung the moon. When she finishes nursing after her naps, she always cranes her head toward the door where I can tell she expects Stella. She follows her big sister around in her little walker with a satisfied little smile, and she emits the most darling little laugh whenever Stella dances or sings or just hams it up.

But just in the last several weeks has there been a shift in Stella. She's always loved Phoebe; that's been clear from the start. But she's really starting to like her. She's taking care of her on a whole new level, and she's starting to shower her with affection.

Case in point.

It's an honor to watch this bond slowly evolve and grow. I know how deeply I care for my siblings. And while we may live our busy lives separately now that we're all grown up (when did that happen?), I think I speak for all of us when I say we have an unfaltering sense of affection and admiration for one another. We will always share a certain shorthand in this life, and we will always be there for one another. What a gift.

We send a hearty congratulations to our dear friends, Alex, Erik and Ava who welcomed baby Hazel June last month and to Kami, Michael and Scarlet who welcomed baby Evelyn Violet just last week. We love you guys!