Sisters

I totally love and enjoy having a sister. We are night & day different but in good ways. She is one of my best friends. Having a sister is great for many reasons. If it works, you can share clothes, make-up, and boyfriends. Not so much for us. It's always great because she understands things that others don't. You know...about the family. I love to see the ways we are different and the same. We are both pretty strong personalities, independent and okay, even a bit prideful. I do think she's louder than me though. She's gorgeous. I wish she could see how pretty she is. With or without make up. Talking to her is fun, especially when she gets loud. She often resorts to an argumentative tone, even when she is agreeing with you. It's actually a gift she got naturally as a DiBias. I remember we shared a room up until our move to Charlotte the summer before 6th grade. I liked to cuddle with her when we were kids. Having her is having an instant friend and ally. We don't talk every day, but most. I am just really thankful for her. She's one of the most giving, sacrificial people I know. Her mantra is "family is family." And let me tell you, homegirl will do ANYthing for her family. She is also an incredible mom. She became a mom at a young age and has done an amazing job on her own for 13 years. Now she's not alone and I'm so thankful for that.

A week ago today my sister gave birth to sisters. And I just think that is so fun and exciting. We were all shocked when she and her boyfriend told us that they were a) pregnant and b) with identical twin girls. Wow. I was so excited to hear the news. And it became even more exciting after I was diagnosed b/c it's just been a fun thing to look forward to in the midst of this. The date was set for Tuesday the 19th to be induced. She really didn't want a c-section and wanted to go as natural as possible. And I was going to be there helping as much as I could. She came to the hospital looking beautiful. Both she and Rashad were nervous, but they did amazing. She was started at 7:30am and we just hung out. Contractions began slowly then became more intense after they broke her water. I was doing my best to help her stay in tune to her body and relax as best she could. She was handling it with such grace. I, reluctantly, had to leave at noon, hoping the girls would wait for their auntie Amy. No such luck. Things progressed fast and those sweet things could not wait any longer to meet their mommy & daddy. Jocelyn Ivory was born at 12:38pm and Jada Bryce (my middle name) was born at 12:42pm. There was some last minute twin-to-twin-transfusion which can happen when they share a placenta, so Jocelyn was taken immediately to the NICU b/c she was struggling a bit. They nursed her (literally & figuratively) her back to health and everyone went home on Thursday.

i love the way she's looking at rashad here...beautiful in the midst of contractions
It's exciting that Julie got to have a daughter with a sister. I know that I hope Charis will have a sister one day. Jada & Jocelyn are probably going to play a lot, laugh a lot, and fight some too. But they will always have each other...someone who loves them, gets them, knows them, understands them. And they are identical twins!! How fun is that?! This is going to be a fun and scary journey for Julie & Rashad.
(unfortunately i don't have a ton of pictures yet)

me and the girls!! Jada & Jocelyn