My children are not like my sister and me. They are close, already, in ways that my sister and I never experienced. I am a tad bit envious. The Girl Child's name is the first word that passes the Boy Child's lips every morning and, indeed, was the first word he even learned how to say. She was the recipient of his first real kiss. I got to see it. He put his lips to her cheek and actually made a kissing noise. She tells us that when they get older, she intends to marry him. My wife assumes that means we have to move way down South.
I've gotten some little boy kisses, too, now, and they are terribly sweet things. Even better then when he would simply press his open and very wet mouth against the side of your face and leave behind a huge slick of saliva.
But here's the really cute thing.
We put them in the car, each in their own car seats, and the same thing happens almost every single time. Her arm goes out, hand open, palm up. His hand goes into it. And they both sit back and relax into their seats. They hold hands most of the ride to wherever it is we are taking them. If he is too slow with his hand, then we hear the Girl Child say, "Boy Child, give me your hand" (usually in Norwegian). And he does.
I feel unusually blessed, almost all the time.
Posted by Random Penseur at February 14, 2005 10:02 AM*sniff*
Oh my goodness, that is the sweetest thing I ever read. What a blessing they are for each other. What a wonderful example you and your wife must be ....
Posted by: Elizabeth at February 14, 2005 10:19 AMOh my god...that is so beautiful. I remember Lucy and Ray being much the same. I have some wonderful pictures of them back at that age. And the open-mouthed, very wet kisses from the Boy baby leaning forward...I remember those too!
You're breaking my heart, Random. ::sighs::
Posted by: Amber at February 14, 2005 12:14 PMThis made me sigh it was so unbelievable cute!
I wish that I could say my sister and I were so gentle and kind with each other. We love each other fiercely, but I am responsible for many of the scars she has (pulling her along our tile floor on a towel was alot of fun for us both when we were kids, until the blood started flowing). Your stories make me feel more comfortable with the idea of one day bearing children. Thank you!
How very sweet!! Somehow this post calmed me to the core. Thanks RP.
Posted by: Wicked H at February 14, 2005 03:08 PMThat is wonderful. And we have the same situation here. I was not very close to my siblings; I still am not. But my kids are all very close to each other.
It is wonderful to see and to read about. Bless them.
Posted by: Rachel Ann at February 14, 2005 03:11 PMHow incredibly sweet. I love it when my children are getting along and in love with each other. Unfortunately, mine choose to fight more than to get along, but the days when they asked to be tucked in next to each other, or when they go up and give each other kisses and comfort after an ouchie. Those are moments that I treasure. It sounds like you have two wonderful kids.
Posted by: Jordana at February 14, 2005 04:19 PMAdorable! Absolutely adorable. I know this smile will not leave my face for at least an hour. I love the stories about your children...and I think this is one of my favorites so far!
Posted by: C at February 14, 2005 05:20 PMgirl child continues to be amazing...
and i think you are very blessed.
my sister and i are lucky to be close,the emotions you feel for your sibling are unique i think - no matter the situation...they are at the core of you.
but my mother still had to put duct tape down the middle of the back seat - to keep her from
'touching me'
That is so sweet. You've got to have a constant smile on your face.
Posted by: Linda at February 15, 2005 08:06 AM"My wife assumes that means we have to move way down South."
You make me laugh, mate.
Posted by: Helen at February 15, 2005 09:20 AMThe Girl Child speaks Norwegian too?
Posted by: Howard at February 15, 2005 04:26 PMOnly because I don't recall offhand: As I rewad this I was assuming that Boy Child was older than Girl Child. I was best friends with my younger sister, but neither of us were close to our older sister while we were growing up. (It's different now, thankfully, yay!)
But, when I got the part about "give me your hand!", I sensed that Girl Child might be the elder, in which case, this is as alien to me as it is to you.
So many of us, sadly, learn to think of "family" and "friends" as different sets of people. To be friends with your family from the beginning is a precious precious treasure trove of emotional security and support.
The Girl Child and Boy Child have found anchors in each other because you and the Wife have shown them that love and marriage really is like a horse and carriage. The one pulls the other along. It's not an affair, it's a family, and your (plural) love for the li'l nudniks is understood by them in ways that you couldn't even begin to know how to calculate and fake convincingly. Oh! They so-o-o-o deserve you!
Thank you all for the really lovely comments this little post engendered.
Howard, yes, the Girl Child does snakker norsk. And she speaks a lot of Norwegian to her brother, especially when we pointed out that he listens to her better when she speaks Norwegian.
TS, you're right, the Girl Child is the eldest. She just turned 4 and the Boy Child will turn two in about a week. Otherwise, thank you for one of the nicest compliments I've ever had the privilege of receiving. I can't tell you how touched I was.
Posted by: RP at February 16, 2005 09:25 AM