In the last Kieran has gone from barely being able to take a step on his own to full blown walking. It’s amazing how a light bulb seems to go on and suddenly they just get it!  He still does that jerky, stompish, arms out, zombie walk, but it is sooo cute!  And Avery is so enthusiastic about her brother’s new accomplishment. She cheers him on and announces to me hourly that “Kieran can walk now!  He did such a good job!”.  This morning he was walking behind one of her doll strollers and pushing it/using it for balance.  She was walking alongside him, gently guiding the stroller so he didn’t bump into things and turning it around for him when he ran out of room to walk.  It was really one of those moments when I felt like I was doing a good job with my kids and this is really what I want for them. To care for each other and encourage each other. And really, this is what I hope they will be like as they grow up. I hope that they will respect each others’ choices and enjoy each others’ company.  I hope they will laugh at the same jokes and trust each others’ judgement and value each others’ worldviews. I hope they can argue fairly and know that they will still love one another in the end, even if they disagree.  I know there are so many siblings who don’t have this type of relationship and I’m not really sure how I can best foster that kind of companionship with my kids. But just driving home today and listening to them laugh at the silly faces each was making was encouraging. And at least they won’t be fighting over clothes when they’re teens!