When we found out we were having another little girl at my twenty week scan I must admit to imagining two little girls with pretty blondy brown curls running around hand in hand- sharing toys, sharing secrets and of course causing their Daddy a lot of strife!
I knew that Mads would take having a new baby in her stride, she isn't a particularly clingy toddler, in fact she is pretty independent, so I thought that while we might have a bit of jealousy, she would be pretty relaxed about a new sibling shaking up her world.
What I didn't bargain for was that from the very second Mads first clapped eyes on LL when she came to meet her for the first time, she stepped into her role as 'big sister' in more ways than I could ever have imagined.
I have never been so proud of the way in which Mads has completely embraced LL into our family, and the way she is with her makes my heart melt at least ten times a day. I have friends with siblings who had said to me that the older one, while not jealous or upset by the arrival of the new baby, just wasn't particularly bothered and didn't pay them much attention.
This couldn't be further from the case with Mads. Every morning she comes into our room and calls out for 'Baby LL'. She asks to cuddle her, she asks me to put her next to her in bed so she can snuggle up next to her and she constantly says 'I love Baby LL- she's my sister,' or 'We are best friends.'
She lies next to her on the sofa and strokes her ear, which is her comfort. There is nothing better when you are tired than stroking your baby sister's ear! When she gets up from her nap she always asks to go and see Baby LL.
She talks to her and includes her in the conversations, say for example we go out she will say 'We are going to the park, aren't we Baby LL?' Or 'Shall we go home and have lunch Baby LL?' When people coo over her, Mads will say 'That's my sister.'
At night time she will always give her a kiss goodnight and say 'Love you Baby LL.'
I can honestly say she has never shown one single ounce of jealousy or animosity towards her new sister. The way she is with her is just so kind and caring, she really does love her and I am so proud of her for the way she is with her.
LL is just starting to notice her now, and I can't wait to see how their bond develops as she starts to get more interactive. She is starting to give her beaming smiles and Mads always says 'Look Mummy Baby LL is smiling at me.'
I know that as they get older they will fight like cat and dog, after all that's what sisters are for, but I do hope that they will always be the very best of friends. I really hope that I have given each of them a friend and a companion that they can depend on always and I hope that as they grow up they will stay as close.
It truly is a joy watching them together.
My gorgeous little ladies.
And my very special sisters.



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Some recent iPhone photos of my lovely sister's.
