the sibling project {may}

One of the first things I fantasised about when I first found out I was pregnant the second time around, was that moment way-way-way-ahead in my future, when I would stand back, and watch Dylan and his younger sibling walked off together hand-in-hand. They'd be ready to explore and take on whatever the world threw their way, with their sibling at their side. And the fantasy came back thick and strong when I was pregnant for the third time; having watched Dylan and Everly forge such a special friendship, and love every opportunity to adventure together, I couldn't wait to see them both showing their younger sibling the things they knew.

While there are undoubtedly a few downsides to being a third baby (being dragged all over the place regardless of how you feel about it, having no toys to call your own, and the constant attentions of well-meaning siblings being just a few) I think what Quinn has in her big brother and sister, far outweighs any negatives. They love her so fiercely. They are desperate to teach her things; new skills and new words that bring her one step closer to being an equal playmate. They simply love showing her their world. And they scream blue murder if they think there is any possibility she might get herself into mischief (although I'm not sure that she'd always see that as a bonus!!!)

Its quite honestly, my favourite part of being a mummy; to see the three of them together and to stand back. To acknowledge that while what they have is something which I gave them, it is something entire separate of me, and for them to make and mould in their own way. It can be hard as a parent to accept that parts of their lives will not be for you to know about, especially when they are little. But it just makes me so proud to hear them giggle at their own in-jokes, and trek off on adventures as a trio. They come alive when they are together in a way that they never quite are apart; the laughs are louder and deeper and longer, the whispers are more precious, their eyes sparkle more. They are a team, a tribe, a gang; and its a total pleasure to watch them. 

This photo above is actually my favourite, despite the fact it's a little blurry, and not framed up that well. But it was such a real and spontaneous moment. One minute I was tinkering with my camera settings, and the next they were hand-in-hand walking in my direction. I love the firm grip of Dylan and Everly's hand hold (true friends and equals) especially in contrast to Everly and Quinn's... she's adopted that mother grip where you hold their wrist instead of their hand so that they can't squirm away from you. Not that Quinn would have made a bid for freedom, when being "in the gang" with the bigger two is her favourite thing. 

I also love comparing these bluebell photos to The Sibling Project photos of May's gone by... oh how my little ones have changed. 

2016's...

2015's...

2014's...

And 2013's

I can't wait to see what you all have to share this month, and make sure you pop by my cohosts (Amber, Carie, Donna, Katie, Keri-Anne and Natalie) to see what they've been up to this month too.

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