This morning, I was cuddling Maureen (2) in my arms and couldn't resist gushing, "You are adorable! God was so good giving you to me!" Without skipping a beat, she replied, "And God was so good giving Eileen to me!"
Seeing Maureen's heart so full of love for her baby sister has been such a joy. Two days ago, I brought the two babies to the doctor for well visits. Maureen was affronted to receive a pair of shots, one right after the other. Moments later, it was Eileen's turn. As the doctor made ready to administer Eileen's vaccination, I noticed Maureen watching solemnly from her chair, her two great blue eyes still red from her own traumatic experience. When she realized Eileen would be getting a shot, she blessed herself in a left-handed toddler triangle, folded her hands, and began praying for her! It was all I could do not to run past the doctor and scoop Maureen up into my arms right then and there to cover her kind little face with kisses.
Baby Eileen could use a few extra prayers, by the way. She has a long dent in her head where two plates do not seem to be joining evenly on both sides. The doctor thinks it will probably be just fine, so I am not all that worried, but he is going to be watching her carefully during the next few months. The worst case scenario would be corrective surgery down the road.
Flourescent light becomes her, don't you think? : )
Yes, very sweet sisterly love! And that baby is just too beautiful!!
Posted by: Cheryl | October 28, 2006 at 03:01 PM
That is way too sweet! I will pray for baby Eileen.
Posted by: Glenn | October 28, 2006 at 04:32 PM
I sure does! What a cute picture.
Posted by: Cheryl | October 28, 2006 at 05:17 PM
Prayers for Eileen coming from me too. Don't babies just love mirrors!
Posted by: Kathryn | October 28, 2006 at 05:52 PM
Oh, she is gorgeous! And how blessed she is to have Catherine for a big sister.
Posted by: Diane | October 28, 2006 at 06:12 PM
I forgot to mention that I will keep Eileen in my prayers.
Posted by: Diane | October 28, 2006 at 06:13 PM
What a beautiful picture, and a beautiful story! Prayers from here, too.
Posted by: Karen E. | October 28, 2006 at 06:23 PM
Beautiful picture! Praying here too.
Posted by: elizabeth | October 28, 2006 at 06:26 PM
Praying for your little one!
Posted by: Amy | October 28, 2006 at 08:09 PM
Oh, praying for her baby sister-- that is so beautiful. They *are* God's gifts to each other.
Even though she's only two, or maybe especially because she's only two, Catherine knows that.
Praying for Eileen and glad she has such a wise, heads-up doctor.
Posted by: Ann | October 28, 2006 at 08:47 PM
What a sweet story, Alice! Little Catherine sure must be surrounded by a whole lot of love from your family to be able to feel and articulate such kindness. Baby Eileen certainly is blessed to have such a loving big sister.
Posted by: Rebecca B. | October 28, 2006 at 09:45 PM
oh goodness she is so cute!!!! What a kind sister she has! My girls are about the same age difference (I would guess?) and I see that closeness coming on. It's heartwarming. :-)
Posted by: Andrea | October 29, 2006 at 01:31 AM
That is precious. It is wonderful that they have each other.
Posted by: Jennifer | October 29, 2006 at 03:24 AM
Your precious baby girls are just so sweet. I am still haunted by baby Eileen's amazing eyes! Be assured of our prayers for her health. And God bless sweet Catherine for her pious compassion! I was just lamenting that the youngest child, no matter how large the family, does not get the honor of loving a baby sibling. But God does provide cousins and friends for this purpose, I suppose!
Posted by: Jeannine | October 29, 2006 at 07:08 AM
Wow. This story says plenty, not only about your little Saint Catherine but also about the spiritual formation she's receiving from her mother! Just beautiful.
We will keep Baby Eileen in our prayers. My girls, by the way, were enchanted with her photo!
Have a blessed day!
Posted by: Margaret in Minnesota | October 29, 2006 at 07:13 AM
She is beautiful!! What a sweet sweet sister she has too!
Posted by: Lisbet | October 29, 2006 at 07:58 AM
Oh, that's so sweet that tears came to my eyes! What sweet sisters.
A friend's baby had the same problem, by the way, and it fixed itself very nicely on its own. Try not to worry!
Posted by: Beck | October 29, 2006 at 08:00 AM
Oh, they are SO sweet! I will indeed pray for little Eileen. One of my favorite things about being a mother is the development of brotherly love between my boys.
Posted by: Mary Beth P' | October 29, 2006 at 04:35 PM
Praying Alice, and what a blessing that little sister (and all of the others and that darling brother) are for Eileen! Such a precious photo!
Posted by: Meredith | October 29, 2006 at 06:27 PM
Hi Alice!
Ok, it's almost midnight, and I've spent the last hour browsing through your archives!! I love your site and have learned a lot just reading your site! I especially enjoyed reading about your lenten teas and the Marian altars you made. I loved your list of reminders at the start of school, it brought tears to my eyes, just doubling my childrens ages, my oldest is 6 now, how fast those years will go!! My youngest was born on June 1st. Angela, born on the feast of St Angela Merici. (traditional calendar) She is close to your youngest! Your 2 year old is precious with her prayers for her sister. Thank you for being here.
God Bless you. Your baby will be in our prayers!
Posted by: Jamie | October 30, 2006 at 01:08 AM
Ok, since I am kind of new to your site, what's up with the mantis's? Are they just out in the open, no cages? Just curious!
Posted by: Jamie | October 30, 2006 at 01:12 AM
I can't begin to thank all of you for your kind words and supportive prayers. You are all so very, very kind. There is no way to express how much you mean to me.
[Thank you, Jamie, and I hope you will visit here often. About the mantis, it is supposed to be in its cage and not out in the open--at least theoretically.]
Posted by: Alice Gunther | October 30, 2006 at 02:02 AM
There is nothing more beautiful than sisterly love!!
Posted by: Rose | October 30, 2006 at 01:55 PM
Your girls are so precious. I am praying for your little one.
Posted by: Margaret | October 31, 2006 at 01:07 AM
Precious!
Praying for baby Eileen.
Posted by: Cay | October 31, 2006 at 09:08 AM
Oh Alice, what a sweet story! We will be praying for your little ones, and especially dear Baby Eileen.
Posted by: Dawn | November 01, 2006 at 05:58 AM