My Sensitive Sweeties

I took the above picture last week. Tess had fallen on the floor and was crying and Gracie immediately got on top of her and started kissing her to help her feel better.

Just the week before that, Gracie was crying about something and I overheard Tess saying to her, "Oh, you little sweetheart, dry those tears! I'll get you something to make you happy!" Yeah, they have their little bickering moments and I'm sure those bickering moments will become more frequent as they grow, but for now I love how sensitive they are to each other. Tess will even defend Gracie if I reprimand Gracie for being too rough with her. "She's not bothering me, momma! She's fine!"

Tess has always been very sensitive. For some reason when she was a baby the song "Rock-a-Bye Baby" would instantly make her cry. If it wasn't so sad it would almost be funny. Just the first few notes of the song and the tears would start. When she was old enough to talk (and explain herself) I asked her about it and she said it just "made her sad". She also has cried tears of joy when people sing happy birthday to her. However, one of the most precious times I saw Tess' concern was when she wasn't quite three yet. Gracie was a newborn and we received the call about Gracie's positive Cystic Fibrosis test. After a long month of waiting and a sweat test at Children's Hospital, we found out that she was only a carrier of the gene (1 in 20 people are carriers, so it's not that uncommon) but the initial phone call had me in hysterics. Sweet little Tess immediately started crying too, hugging and kissing me, saying, "It will be alright, momma!" She had no idea what was wrong, but her immediate reaction was to let her momma know it was ok. I'll never forget that moment.

Gracie's growing sensitivity/concern has also become very cute to watch. I've seen it in her as she cares for her babies and of course how she is constanly kissing and hugging her sister but the last few weeks it's become funny. We borrowed "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" book from the library and she couldn't get enough of it. When I read to the girls I try to read face to face so they can see my expressions and also so I can sometimes sign as I read. Anyway, I was reading this book (with more than a little dramatic flair) and when it gets to the part where he has a tummy ache, I would act like I wasn't feeling well. Every time we read this part she would immediately take my face in her hands and start kissing me. She always knew that part was coming and she would anticipate it, waiting for me to do my little act, and then immediately try to make me feel better.

Granted the tears can sometimes flow a little too easily around here (don't know where they get that from!:), but for now I am so thankful for the moments that show true care and concern for others. I love these sensitive sweeties!