siblings {august}

I often feel like a bit of a stuck record talking about these two, because honestly I'm a little bit obsessed with watching their relationship. I have been since before the beautiful girl was even born. I dreamed about the day I'd introduce my first born to his baby brother or sister, and their bond has continued to fascinate me ever since. It's such a fluid thing; it changes and grows with them, but is probably one of my proudest things as a parent... I watch them with a big smile feeling ridiculously proud of myself, because "I gave them that."

People seem to assume that brothers love rough and tumble 'boy play' best with other brothers, and that sisters have this special unique 'girls with sisterhood' bond... and honestly it makes me a bit defensive of my little brother-sister pairing. Because I honestly think they have the perfect best friend in one another. Yes they have days when they seem determined to just irritate the other slowly but surely, and they have days when they seem to practically ignore one another as they happily go about their own things. But they are always connected. Which I am aware sounds a bit weird, and it's a hard thing to explain, but I just feel like they are somehow always aware of the other, even when they don't seem to be actively interested in what each other are doing. So many people who meet my children, even when it's only for a few minutes in a cafe or a queue in a shop, will comment on how close they are and what good friends they are. It seems to shine out of them when they are together I think.

There are times when the beautiful girl will chat with such excitement and enthusiasm that we end up with no clue what she is talking about, but her brother always knows. No one can get the beautiful boy to apologise or make friends again faster than she can, because he hates her being upset and she just won't let him not be her bestie... even for a minute. They have these funny little sayings now that they say when they are together; I have no idea whatsoever what they mean, but it causes a lot of giggling. They love having their little in jokes just for them. And when she gets up from her nap, its's often him she'll snuggle up next too while she 'comes round', and he will just casually shift across the sofa to make room for her. They don't need words or discussions, they just want to be together.

And honestly, sometimes I feel really apprehensive about adding another little person into their perfect little mix. Change is scary, especially when things seem so wonderful just as they are. Our beautiful boy and girl are so close, both in their bond and in their ages, that I worry their baby sister is always doomed to be left out. But at the same time I worry that one or other of them may be so wrapped up in the excitement of the new baby, that they neglect what they have with each other. But then on the flip side, I really hope that the fact they have each other is going to make the transition from two to three children a little smoother, as they adore each other so much that I don't think there will be any worry about mummy jealousy... a lot of the time I don't think they care if I'm there or not as long as they have each other to play with.

I know that I can't predict the future, and that the chances are that all my worries will prove to be pointless, and that somehow, without my help, my three children will find their own way. That brother-sister relationship just seems so sacred and precious to me at the moment, that I'd protect it with all I have, and it's difficult to be entering into an unknown and wondering how it will all turn out. I know that ultimately they'll forge their own relationships, and just as I have so far with two children, I will watch the three of them with nothing but pride that I gave them that. 

There will be big bro and big sis, big bro and little sis, big sis and little sis, and also them as a team of three; four gorgeous relationships to watch grow and change over the years as they grow and change.

Something I love about taking these monthly photos is the chance to revisit past photo spots. We went to this same sunflower field last August, and looking back at last years photos makes me so nostalgic about how much my children have changed over the past year.

Do go and check out my cohost Annie and her beautiful Siblings photos this month; I love seeing her photos of her brother-sister siblings because I feel like it gives me a little glimpse of whats to come. And link up your Sibling posts below, I can't wait to see them all.

<div align="center"> <a href="http://www.dearbeautifulboy.com/p/siblings-family-portrait-project.html" title="dear beautiful" target="_blank"><img src="http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll320/looby_boo/siblingslogo-200_zpsa514149f.jpg" alt="dear beautiful" style="border:none;" /></a></div>