My two favorite girls

My two favorite girls.  I tell each of you that you are "my girl"  or "my favorite".  Maddie is so in love with Harper and Harper is so in love with Maddie.  Maddie gives Harper hugs and kisses all of the time.  Maddie wants to do whatever Harper is doing.  "Maddie wants to do tummy time"  She controls the ipad for Harper and sometimes wanders to episodes of Olivia (Maddies favorite cartoon).  Lately Maddie has been sitting in Harpers Bumbo chair.  There's a little jealousy of Mouse.  Maddie wants to do whatever Mouse is doing or play with whatever Mouse is playing with at the time Harper is doing it.  We're trying to teach Maddie to share, be patient and take turns.  One thing we've really been working on is hitting, pushing and kicking.  Maddie gets very protective of Harper when I bring Harper to school to drop Maddie off or pick her up.  The kids gather around the stroller each day to see Harper and touch the stroller or Harper on occasion and Maddie will push the kids in the face or chest or swat at them.  Sometimes making contact.  Maddie has been hitting and pushing on the playground and other play areas as well.  In St. Louis we were visiting a mall play area and Maddie got up and walked over to a girl and pushed her out of the blue!  I don't understand where the aggression is coming from but I am trying my best to talk to Maddie everyday about being nice and not touching other kids in a mean way.

Mouse just adores Maddie.  She smiles or laughs when Maddie comes near.  She loves to watch Maddie and her funny behavior.  Maddie loves that Harper is smiling and laughing now.  Yesterday Maddie realized that when she rang the bell on her tricycle that Harper would laugh.  Maddie would ring the bell, I would say "ding!" and Harper would giggle and giggle.

It's so neat to me to see the sisterly bond forming between my two girls.  I always wanted a sister and it's so special for me to see them love each other.  You both are so fortunate to have each other.  You have a best friend for life in each other.  

Wilson joined us for story time before bed one night.

Open wide!

On our way to pick up sissy from school.  About a two mile walk.  Sometimes Harper and I walk the whole way, sometimes we take the "L" part of the way.

Showing off her pee-pee's!  So proud of herself.

Maddie loves to get into Harpers bed.  She misses her crib, I can tell.

Our first nice day of the new year.  Finally able to get out and explore the area around our apartment.  So many playgrounds.  We try to visit all of them.  This one was underneath the train stop for Daddy's train.

A special treat, a nap in Mommy's bed.  So beautiful, you are.  I love looking at you while you sleep.  Those lips and lashes and those cheeks!

You look so grown up here,  where did your infamous cheeks go!?!

Maddie loves to do anything Harper does!

Fun with paper towels.  We played with these one night for an hour.  We built towers, bowled and built forts around Maddie.  Maddie LOVES to build towers!

Having "a talk" with Wilson

Harper in the baby bjorn while Maddie plays at yet another new playground.

Mommies girls!

Kisses and hugs!

Sometimes you just have to work around the dog!

Wearing her Cardinal shirt.  We've been trying to instill Cardinal spirit in this little Chicago girl.

Trying to teach Maddie to say " Go Cardinals!"  and "Boo Cubs".  Not entirely successful yet.  The teachers at school said she was brave to wear this shirt in Lakeview.

Maddies new kitchen.

Anyone seen my good friend, Maddie?

My two favorite girls in their summer outfits!

Waving "hi" to Da-da.  He's working downtown while we are at the lake!

Stopping for a picnic.  Maddie loves picnics!

A pose for the camera.

Hop hop ice cream!

My sun goddess!  Always easy going and smiley, the perfect baby sister!

A quick picture of these two who just adore each other.

Being silly on the stairs.

My beautiful girl.

First bath together after taking Daddy to the beach for the first time.

 Maddie requests "hop-hop" ears occasionally.

 I'm so fortunate and grateful for my two girls.  Two beings have never made me happier.  My heart has expanded and continues to everyday as my love for you grows and grows.  I don't know what I did with my life before you girls.  I would do anything for you.  Every waking moment of mine is spent planning something  fun for you or trying to educate you or mold you into a good person.  You will make a huge impact on this world, you've already impacted my world in a huge way.  I love you, babies.

Mama