Two Sisters

As we've settled into a our new daily life, (1 day short of 1 month), I think Jason and I have already realized how different our girls will be.   We knew they would be different, no doubt, but as a parent you love your children with a love so deep and intense that you see past the 'problems' that your child may be born with.  When Lucia was born, she immediately required help breathing, her special hand was apparent, and she had 'facial markers' for having a syndrome.  We just saw a beautiful, angelic baby girl, that was perfect!  Now, after having another child, one that does everything that she is 'supposed' to do, the differences are even more apparent.  I often stare into Scout's eyes, in awe that both eyes work together, and both eyes look right at me.  Breast feeding, oh breast feeding..it's wonderful.  I constantly admire the 'suck, swallow, breath' that Scout does so effortlessly as she drinks away.  Lucia is our 'lady of leisure' preferring to be on her back,  staring at the birds in the sky, the trees blowing in the wind, the light she can find anywhere...she is content and she is more relaxed than anyone I know, it's amazing.  Then there is Scout, nicknamed our 'little tree frog'.  She is strong and a go-getter.  Her long fingers and toes and little body are constantly moving, grasping, flexing, and not too often relaxing.  People often ask what Lucia thinks of her younger sister.  Jason and I know she senses her and feels her next to her when we have them together.   Lucia has even let out some nice songs when Scout is hysterically crying, and the bird song has soothed Scout, even if just for the moment. Jason calls them 'angel powers'.  So, we know Lubird loves and notices her sister and no doubt Scout notices her big sister.  She does her rollie pollie frog moves and glances over at Lu, they even have grasped hands when they are close, intentional or not, it's beautiful.
Seeing and knowing Scout just for 1 month, we know that she is strong, healthy, and that her brain is functioning to handle eating, grasping, seeing, hearing, and even standing (assisted of course).  All of those things do not come natural for our bird.  She has to work so hard to swallow from her bottle, to hold our hands, to focus on the world around her.  Right out of the gates the girls were different.  For Scout it's natural and easy, for our bird, almost everything has to align to work just somewhat close to how it does for others.
I'm not comparing for better or worse but I've noticed how differently they were made and that they are who they are, we are who we are.
BUT this doesn't mean we don't work hard to make strides, to grow, to achieve, it just means that there are different goals, different milestones, different roads, or maybe just different passengers on the same path.  I picture Scout in a jean jacket with aviator sunglasses and helmet, driving a motorcycle, focused on the road, looking straight ahead as to not run into any other motorists, or road hazards, or animals, aware of the small details and path that is ahead, as to not encounter anything dangerous.  Attached to Scout's cycle is a side cart, a side cart that Scout protects more than anything.  In that side cart is her sister, Lubird.  I picture Lubird wearing a flower helmet, and pink goggles.  The bird is fully enjoying the breeze, the sunlight on her face, the trees they pass by, and she does not have a negative thought or worry on her mind, just peace in her little side cart, with her sister Scout.

I know that our girls are different.  I know they will have different lives, different friends, different activities, differences from dusk to dawn, but at the end of the day, I feel their differences are what will bring them closer.  A strong, safe and most comfortable sisterly love.  I love these girls more than I could ever express.  Scout and Lucia, my tree frog and my bird, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful love story, between two sisters.  I can't wait to see how your story grows, and I could not feel more blessed to be a part of it.