Battle Buddies

Well, the peaceful days of the girls playing together nicely are long gone...at least for the time being. I was so enjoying their kinship and the ability to get things done occasionally without constant interruption. They may look innocent...

...but behind those pretty smiles...
...and big blue eyes...
...and cute personalities...
...lies the ability to hit and bite their very best friend in the whole world, each other! For the most part Genna is the violent one, and Hannah is the button pusher and control freak. Sometime roles reverse, but it has been going on for a good month now. Only recently has the violent one began actually inflicting real pain upon the button pusher. I've tried everything, and for the last two weeks I have decided to punish them both with time out (plus the taking away whatever toy/item was involved in the squabble for the rest of the day) anytime there is a "battle." However, when Hannah is genuinely hurt I feel bad putting her in time out. So far I am not getting anywhere, and today Genna went the extra mile and bit Hannah on the stomach for the first time. I am praying for this all to be a phase that consistent discipline will put and end to before the baby is born, God willing! Any ideas would be much appreciated!

On a more positive note, the girls are on a count down until Mimi and Poppa Boat come to visit! When I tell them how many days we have left (only 6 more from today) Hannah jumps uncontrollably screams, "Mimi and Poppa Boat are coming in _ more days!" and Genna cheers, "Hooray, hooray!" and occasionally adds a little dance in there. Maybe the presense of their grandparents will keep them busy enough not to torment each other for a while!