Girl Time

Here is an updated pic of Lily (left) and Abigail (right) with our sweet little friend Madeleine in the middle. Abigail and Madeleine share the same birthday and we are great friends with their family. I was babysitting them last week, while their mom went to a doctors' appointment, and I just loved this random moment when the girls all sat next to each other on the stairs and "read" the dictionary and shared a drink of water. Cute. It's the simple things in life that are true living!

The kids are growing so fast and sometimes I just don't take the time to notice. Lily and Abigail have both improved in their speech skills over the past month or so. Lily is saying a lot more words (she has been really slow to start talking) and Abigail is right behind her. It finally dawned on slow-little-me a few days ago that Lily's lack of speech development is partially (if not entirely) due to my enabling her to not talk. She was crying for some milk and pointing with her glass when I realized (finally) that instead of just giving it to her, I should make her talk to get it. HELLO! Why didn't I think of something that obvious sooner? So, after a good half-hour of repeating the word "milk" with her looking at my lips, she finally said it and I gave her some. Later that day we were at a friends house for lunch and I thought the second time would be easier so I was determined to get her to ask for her water. It didn't go so well, and after about a 2 1/2 hour battle (with my friend encouraging me to be strong and not back down), Lily finally said "water" and was able to have a drink with her lunch. Boy that girl has a stubborn little spirit. I know someday I will be very grateful for that, but sometimes it is really hard for me to put up with! I will need a lot of patience and determination to get this girl to start talking as much as she should be! (she is 2 1/2 years old)