Lately, I have been smiling watching my two kiddos interact. They are starting to play with each other and enjoy keeping company with each other.

As any parent of two (or three or four or six like my twin-in-law) knows, the first year(s) can be a bit tricky since it's not like you can say "Ok, go out and ride your bikes while I make dinner, have a glass of wine, and catch up on my e-mails." I mean, Ruby is only 10 months old. Instead, Ruby follows along with Kai's activities and rides along for drop-offs and pick-ups at pre-school and plays with the Chutes and Ladders spinner while Kai and I play the game. Don't get me wrong, we have time when it is just Ruby and I, but for better or worse, Kai and his high level of activity often determines the direction of our day.

But, then there are these gifts of seeing into the future. For example, this week, the kids played upstairs in Kai's bedroom (poor Ruby doesn't really have a bedroom yet, she just shares everyone's room) for about 1/2 hour. I was downstairs making dinner with the monitor on. Kai was careful with her ("Be Careful Ruby. I better put this little Lego away so you don't eat it.) and loved having a playmate ("Ruby, don't you love this Playmobil knight? He is so SCARY!") I was happy to have a little breathing space to make dinner in peace. I was even happier that they were happy.

Then, before dinner the other day, the kids were reading books at the dining room table. It was quiet. I was beaming. And, then there is always the little table where Kai joins Ruby for snack time. It melts my heart to see how in love they are with each other and how often they just want to be with one another. I am writing this so I can be reminded of these sweet moments when they are 12 and 15 and screaming and yelling. Or after an incident last week when I was videotaping Ruby walking (!!!!) and Kai grabbed her and she fell down and the videotape captured me yelling, "Kai, for the last time, GET OFF YOUR SISTER!!!" Yes, I know, this is going to come around and bite me in the butt. For now, let me just daydream....