Growing Up Fast

Isaac and Julia are growing up way too fast. Time flies!!! I know most parents say that about their own children, but it is especially true when you have two. I will start home schooling Isaac in September. It is hard for me to believe that he is the same age as the students I used to teach. He proudly announces that he is in Pre-K. He has no idea what that means, but he does know that he is getting bigger. He thinks he is super big now that Gabe let him get up in the attic with him the other day. Now every time the attic door is open, Isaac wants to "help" in the attic. Julia amazes me with her language explosion. This shouldn't surprise me though, she has quite a talker for a big brother. Her favorite words right now are boo, book, water(she learned this one in the two days I was in Fort Worth -- now I know how Gabe feels when he comes home to something new the kids are doing), please, bear, baby, and even poo poo (yes.... she pats her back side and says poo poo -- this in only cute when you are a 1 year old!!) Her favorite by far is "go". She will stand at the door and repeat the word until someone hears her. And this is how she looks when the answer to "go" is "no"!! Of course at this age, most babies don't like to be told "no". Oh yeah, that is another of her new words. She wrinkles up her nose and dramatically proclaims "no".Isaac and Julia are finally getting to where they are able to "play together" better. I use that term loosely. In reality, they are usually screaming because the other just took their toy. Just the other day, they had been screaming for this very reason for most of the day. I was in my room when I heard Isaac scream out. I was on my way to investigate when I saw Julia run out of his room as fast as her little 15 month old legs could go, holding a fire truck, and giggling with delight. I just had to laugh. After all those months of Isaac aggravating Julia when she could not defend herself, she is now up and ready to retaliate. The struggle between them is a daily battle but they do have some sweet and peaceful moments. Like when Isaac lovingly served Julia at their little tea party.
The other day I caught Isaac putting his arm protectively around Julia at the grocery store. She took it as an assault, but it was plain to see that he was loving on her. And there are times when Isaac is upset, that Julia consoles him with a hug and kiss. They look out for each other, that is for sure. I can only hope and pray that their sibling bond will be deepened daily and made unbreakable. I look at how Gabe and his brothers interact. They love and respect each other deeply. From stories told, it was no easy battle won. They fought constantly and almost "killed" each other on occasion. But they stand today on the same side and would do anything for each other. Don and Betty -- kudos to you! So I will continue to guide Isaac and Julia through their sibling battles and pray that God will only bless their relationship.