The Day Has Come

I wasn't ready for this. I knew that the "second child" thing would be different and that time would pass faster, the amount of individual attention would be less, and she would learn things differently than the first child did. But, I wasn't prepared with how influential the oldest is on the youngest!!

Carlie pretty much copies everything Kendyll does, good or bad. We have tried to tell Kendyll this, in the hopes that it might make her stop the negative behavior that Carlie imitates. (a few examples....spitting, yelling at the dog, taking her pants off for no reason---yes, Carlie does this too now, spinning so fast you run into things, and the list goes on and on. There are good things too, like all the sweet songs Kendyll has taught her, the dance moves they do together, the way Carlie sits and reads with her, or the way Kendyll has taught her to slurp a spaghetti noodle.

But, tonight, the big-sister influence was in full effect. In the midst of playtime together, Carlie screamed "Nooooooo Denda (Kendyll)!! MOOOIIIINNNNEEEE!! (Mine!!!!) and then grabbed the toy out of Kendyll's hands. Oh no. Here we go. She has learned "the word". I swear Kendyll was at least a full year older when she discovered the concept of mine vs. yours. But, we have arrived already because she's heard it over and over. (And, if you know Carlie, you know she isn't just saying it to be cute---she means it, and you better give it back immediately.)

I probably should have handled it differently, but I really just laughed and said "Carlie, what did you say? Please tell me you didn't say that!!" And, then started tickling her. She's just too cute, even when she's being sassy. (And, I can't blame her that her older, wiser sister has influenced her sweet and innocent 17 month old self, right?!) Ahhh, the fun of sisterhood. And, it's only the beginning of the many lessons learned.