Miranda holding her baby brother, Paulo
Jamee sent this photo to me a little while back, and it really warmed my heart. Apparently, Miranda specifically chose and packed the le•top Strawberry Fields dress she’s wearing in her “hospital” suitcase (just like mom’s). She really wanted her first meeting with her new sibling to be special. They seem to be giving each other such deep, meaningful looks! Being the youngest (of only two kids), I’m not sure if birth order really has as much bearing as it might in larger families. I say this because I always acted like the first-born in many ways. And as for the relationship I had with my older brother, it was alternately very close for periods of time, and very…well…NOT close for other periods! Maybe my trying to usurp his first-born status had something to do with it? We were/are so different, and yet as adults, I notice how incredibly alike we can be in very subtle, and big ways, too.
Paulo in his I'm-going-home clothes, le•top baby, baby train (a gift from "Auntie" Chris!)
Through thick and thin, I have to say that I love my brother as I love no one else. He’s my one and only sibling, and I finally understand what my father meant when he used to admonish me for thinking friends were more “important.” Looking at Miranda holding her brand new baby brother, Paulo, I wish for them a wonderful bond that only siblings can have…and for the sake of their parents, I hope they develop that relationship with very minimal fighting! 😉
Le Top blog 
Erin and Jamee-
I love, love, love the photo of Miranda and Paulo! There is a bond that cannot be defined between siblings – and this picture goes a long way towards defining that feeling. I know that my sister is so dear to me that I cannot imagine life without her – she has been there through thick and thin – and loves me even when I am so crabby that everyone else steers clear. I think she has forgiven me for throwing pillows at her when she sucked her thumb – and talking her into doing the dishes way too many times – but for some unknown reason loves me in spite of who I am sometimes, knowing that I love her equally. Yes – Miranda and Paulo will fight – that is the way it is – but I am sure they will cherish each other as the grow. Congratulations on your beautiful family!
It looks like Paulo knows something and is trying to tell Miranda what it is. This photo is really special.
As for fighting…whoooweee, my brother and I had some doozies…I think it was harder on my parents than us!
I really worried that Miranda might reject (too harsh of a word) having a brother and we tried to prepare her as much as possible just in case she didn’t get a sister. But the moment they “locked” eyes, she was in love. In fact, she even said to me the other day, “I really love my brother. I was just kidding about wanting a sister.”
I love this picture as well. I can’t believe I captured it on camera!