I love you back

George, in the bath last night, follows my instructions to the letter. Covers his mouth with his hand, closes his eyes and plants his face down in the water... then proceeds to inhale water through his nose... ack! "ok, george " (after all the sputtering has concluded) "now the idea there was to blow out... to make bubbles... not to suck in."

He got it! Next effort... Bubbles. Yea. After 5 years of life, George has successfully blown air out through his nose.

Ed, on the other hand, has been blowing his nose - one nostril at a time - since he turned two.

The differences are amazing. You almost expect them to be the same... as babies they looked the same... and as children they have gone through all the same stages but in the end each is sooo unique.

I just love these guys.

Do you know that both of my children have heard me say to them - every single night of their lives - (well, with a few nominal exceptions):

After the stories are done and the lights are out...

George, you're a good boy.
I love you very much.
You make me so happy,
and I am so very proud of you.
I will always take care of you.

Edward... (repeat)

Ed smiles with his eyes squeezed shut while I say it... George, for about half a year now, has been whispering while I say it...

George, you're a good boy.
(g) hehehe
I love you very much.
(g) i love you too...
You make me so happy,
(g) me too
and I am so very proud of you.
(g) smile
I will always take care of you.
(g) and ed!
(g) dad? I love you back.