Oh Brother

The boys love having Grace as their little sister. They are truly smitten with her. They fight over who gets to hold her and run to see her first thing in the morning. They tell us over and over again how they got the best baby in the whole world, that they never thought they would get such a wonderful baby, and that she is the prettiest thing they have ever seen. They are in love.

Just this morning Tommy got up and told me he had the best dream last night. He said that he dreamt he took Grace hunting in the woods up north. He was carrying her around and talking to her and when he had to set her down on the ground he put a blanket down first so that her pretty clothes wouldn't get dirty. Such a sweet boy even in his dreams.

Ben is constantly telling anyone who will listen that Grace is HIS baby. You'd better agree with him too, or watch out! That boy loves his little sister. Every time he is close to her he is gritting his teeth and clenching his fists to keep from squeezing her too hard.

And then of course there is Joey. Yesterday Joey was telling us how he was going to take Grace out for coffee and to the movies when she gets older. We smiled and told him how nice that was and Todd jokingly added, "You'll have to go with her when she has dates too."

Joey said, "What do you mean?"

I clarified, "Well, when a boy wants to take Grace out on a date you or Tommy or Ben will have to chaperon and make sure the boy is nice to her."

Joey was shocked and furious when he yelled, "Are you KIDDING me? I'm not gonna let some boy go out with Grace!"

I laughed so hard I could barely squeak out the "Good boy, Joe!"

Then I looked down at Grace who was sitting sweetly on my lap and I said, "Good luck, sweetheart!"