Okay, so who are all these little people I’m talking about? I’ll give you the quick (my defiition of quick may not be as quick as yours) run down of the babes.
I have two older Brothers, each is married with three kids.
Big Bro Little-Big Bro
1)Avery- 5 2)Laenen- 5
3)Ainsley- 3 4)Rhett- 3
6)Arden- 10months 5)Maeve- 1
Avery, was the first of the brood of babies in my family. She was born in January of 2008 and was the most adorable little red thing I’d ever seen! She was already chubby cheeks and had my big brother’s face in mini baby girl form, all the way down to his crazy eye brows (they grow straight up, aunt Neisha has a version of them that she’s learned to control, and will pass down to A when she needs it) and his scrunched up grumpy face. She was perfect. An angel in my arms and the calmest and happiest baby.
Laenen, was baby girl number two. She came four months later, in May of 2008. And again, looked a lot like her daddy. She was gorgeous and grumpy from day one. My little diva princess with huge, gorgeous eyes and a penetrating gaze that dared you to get closer. We learned quickly not to. Laenie had serious (and when I say serious I mean blood curdling) collick and broke my heart daily with her terrified cries. I held her at the hospital and a few times shortly after she was born. For the next year any attempt ended in such stress that we began a shy game of grins at a safe distance, don’t worry, I won my little girl over.
Ainsley, baby girl number three was born in January of 2010. She was a grogeous baby that reminded us of her big sister but looked more like her mama. She had a sweetness about her from day one and made me realize that no matter how many babies, and specifically how many girls, we had in this family each one was not only their own individual little person but they were awe-inspiring every single time. She made quite an impression on her big sister, who was thrilled with this little cuddle ball that had come into her life. At least for the time being.
Rhett, the solo boy in my family so far, was born in March of 2010. We knew he was coming and we were thrilled! We loved our pink but were so excited to buy blue and see what a little man was all about. In the case of Rhett it was about the most perfectly made little boy in the world. If I thought his big sister had big eyes, I was shocked by these huge spheres of wonder in front of me. He became the man of my dreams, the moment I laid eyes on him and he’s spent every day of his life reinforcing that, no man compares to my monster.
Maeve, our fourth bundle of pink perfection arrived in January of 2012. Now all the “big” kids were able to at least kind of understand that a new baby was on the way and they were excited. They wanted to help pick out names, baby clothes, crib decorations, and anything else that would make them a part of baby preperation. They waited anxiously for her to arrive and she did, the tiniest wisp of a girl. She was immediately a soft, sweet-faced thing that made you see her in stark contrast to her rambungsious siblings. She finally gave mama a break (as much as a new born possbily can).
Arden, baby girl number five and overall baby six was born in September of 2012. Talk about a production! This girl had mommy, daddy, four grandparents, two aunts, one uncle, two sisters, and three cousins waiting at the hospital for her arrival. She was one loved baby girl! I realized on that day that you could never have too many babies. I had another gorgeous, healthy, happy niece who would cover me in more spit up and produce more dirty diapers than I’d ever seen before in my life!
I have five blue eyed nieces and one green eyed nephew. They’re all fun, creative, independent, and just plain adorable! I am, I’m pretty much certain, the luckiest aunt in the world. And I try to do all that I can to dote on all six of them every chance I get.
So, how do you live in the world of today and have any remote hope of them all turning out safe, happy, and healthy? Enter the Auntie. These babies are my world and will find themselves surrounded by people who love and encourage them daily. They will know the realities (not always pretty, and definitely not always something mommy and daddy want to think or talk about) and the wonders of life. They will go on adventures, whether it’s running through their great grandma’s yard looking for fairy’s to getting off the plane on their first big trip. These kids will know love, loss, laughter, and life and be ready to face it head held high and with a glimmer of mischief in their eyes. These kids are gonna rock the world.
And if they end up living in the small town where I (and they are currently) grew up and go no where special (I doubt it, I’ve filled their heads with enough images of the world that there’s little chance they won’t explore it) then I will be over joyed with their contentment. I want them to survive this world that takes no prisoners. I want them to survive the mean girls of junior high, the hazing of college, and the wounds of a broken heart. I want them to thrive.
And I want to be there to watch every second of the ride!!
Love, Aunt Neisha
No comments:
Post a Comment