Forever. That's how long Alexis has been best buds with "Abby." They have gone to the same daycare, been in the same class, and conspired to take over the world together forever. Forever and ever.

The two of them are like sisters. One minute they're hugging and squealing with joy at the very thought of being together. The next minute one of them is in time out while the other one stands across the room bawling and bloody after losing a fight. The love each other. They hate each other. They love each other.

For the most part, it's all fine and dandy. All the adults in their lives know that they have this wicked love-hate thing going on, and Abby's parents have a very similar parenting style to ours. So when Alexis comes home with a giant scratch on her face, I know it was Abby and I'm all "whatever" about it. Abby's parents do the same. Day in and day out, those two manage to make each other nuts, but yet they are good for one another.

They are best buds. Inseparable best buds.

Lately, however, I do believe Abby has become a bit of a bad influence. You see, Abby has a younger sister. I know for a fact that Abby's life at home with her baby sister is a lot like Abby's life at school with Alexis. They fight. A lot. Yet, Little Miss Abby seems to keep forgetting to mention the part where having a baby sister means sharing when you don't want to share, being ignored when you want attention, and generally having to deal with a smaller version of yourself. Instead, Abby apparently talks up the baby sister thing like it's the greatest thing on Earth. We're talking better than unicorns jumping over rainbows while puppies fall from the sky.

Alexis believes the lies.

And now Alexis is all about telling me how she needs a baby sister. Every. freakin'. day.

This morning as I was blow-drying my hair, Alexis started in on her usual attempts to lobby for a sister.

"Momma, I want a baby sister," she said.

"I know," I replied, just like the trained robot that I am.

"We should go to the store and buy one," she advised me.

"I'll think about that," I replied with a smile. If it were that easy? The kid might just get her way.

"We should go buy a baby sister with a stinky butt!" she clarified.

Abby may be upselling the baby sister thing, but at least she's being straight about the butt situation.

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Thank you so, so, so much to everyone who has already helped to raise money for the March of Dimes in remembrance of Maddie and other preemies everywhere. Right now there are 21 incredible people scheduled to walk on our Pittsburgh team, and we've raised nearly $2800 total. With just 10 days left until the actual walk, I'm still $130 short of reaching my personal goal. If you have a buck or two you could spare, it sure would be appreciated!