Best Buddies

Caden and Addison really have a special and close relationship. I think a part of the reason for this is that they are so close in age and very quickly Addie became Caden's little buddy. Caden is a very social kid who greatly prefers to play with others than by himself. Addie, on the other hand, is perfectly content to entertain herself independently. Caden is a performer, he loves an active audience, enjoys playing and singing music for a crowd, and loves to share stories with anyone who will listen. Addie is less needy of attention and is ok with primarily playing by herself and checking in with me every so often. I can't help but to think that some of this is inherent in their genes, and a lot of it has to do with their birth order and the environment. As a baby, we were constantly stimulating Caden, playing with him, talking to him, engaging him and inevitably your second child doesn't receive that kind of attention. Addie was certainly expected, out of necessity at times, to entertain herself, and in doing so, is much more competent at it now. Nature vs. Nurture, the lifelong question! Anyway, the two of them are different creatures but they do genuinely love and enjoy each other. Caden is already very protective of Addie and if Caden feels she has been wronged (another kid takes her toy, someone is mean to her), he will immediately defend her. Addie has previously called Caden "dee dee" but now can say his name clearly and loves to be in his shadow. Not that the two of them don't have their moments! Addie has started to stick up for herself now, much to Caden's dismay and he has taken to tattle telling on all of her wrongs. All that being said, they really are the best of buddies at this phase of life. It will be interesting to see how the new baby (who Caden has affectionately named "Story" and insists is a girl) will fit into the mix....