Special {Spot the Sisters #2}

When I was pregnant with Ariel, I had one thought on my mind.

Please, let my second baby be safe and sound, and be a lovely girl just her big sister Angel. Yes, that was really my prayer every day as I did not do much scans or tests in Sweden during the first two trimesters and all I hoped for was a healthy baby. For some reason, as a second time mum, the just like Angel part came naturally to me.

You could say my wish came true because Ariel turned out perfectly fine, arrived at the same birth timing as the big sister and she even resembled her so much that it surprised both the husband and I. Holding her in my arms, it reminded me of the first time I held my firstborn and it was an extraordinary feeling to relive those moments of becoming a mum.

As the little one grew up, I realised that with two kids, it becomes easy for people around you, and sometimes even yourself, to make comparisons now and then.

Ariel learnt to walk faster than Angel.

Angel could speak much better than Ariel.

Ariel has bigger, rounder eyes but a higher forehead.

Angel behaved much better on car rides while Ariel still kicks up a fuss every time.

Ariel is a braver baby in water.

Angel takes to formula much better than Ariel.

Then there will be moments where family or friends make comparisons and voice them out directly in front of the kids.

Ariel will grow up to be a prettier girl.

Ariel is a more lovable baby as she smiles to everyone around her.

Ariel is a gentle and obedient child.

Oh, Ariel is so cute, so pretty, hair so long, so happy, so smiley, so friendly.... 

and the list goes on.

As you can see, people tend to focus and give more attention to the younger one. I guess it comes naturally because we have to admit that smaller things are move lovable and babies are definitely cuter than adults, right? It seems to be a fact of life that the more you grow, the less attention you are going to get from the majority of the adults in your life.

Hopefully, that majority does not include the parents of the child.

I realised that some time ago and as much as I can, I try to make both my kids feel special every day. I hug both, I kiss both, I talk to both, I hold both their hands, I tell stories to both, I bathe with both and if I can, I try to get some one-on-one time with each of them too. I kind of feel that life gets a little unfair to Angel when all eyes, or most eyes, are glued to Ariel and I think she feels it too because she would try ways and means to get back the attention that was once hers.

So, even though I chide and scold her at times, I also tell her just how much I love her and how special each of them will always be. And to never think for a moment that we love the little one more than her or that the existence of a sibling means love has to be shared. As I said before, time has to be divided, but love will only multiply.

I hope I can always remind myself to never be a biased mum and to always remember that each child is as special as can be in her own ways.

******

Remember the first Spot the Sisters challenge we had with the baby pictures of Angel and Ariel? Can you believe it's been over a year already? Well, this is the kind of situation that I do not mind placing them side by side and making comparisons. Since some friends and relatives had fun trying to score full marks, though barely anyone did eventually, I decided to make another collage for a second challenge.

I have to say it's much easier this time round because I think as they grow older, their features become more distinct and it's easier to tell them apart. Well, even my mum achieved a perfect score! BUT, the irony is that the husband, who faces the girls almost every day, had two of his answers wrong. I think it's a men's thing because my dad and father-in-law had a hard time trying to decipher too.

Now, if you have been following their updates and would like to give it a go, just leave a comment and I will reveal the answers at the end of the week! Hint: 8 pictures belong to Angel and the other 8 to Ariel.

Have fun!

***UPDATE!
WOW! Everyone got full marks in the comments, I must say I am quite impressed! Well, that also means like I said, the girls are becoming more distinct in terms of their features and this is highly likely the last challenge we will be doing. Well, it was great fun while it lasted for our friends and family! Thanks for taking part too!