Being an Auntie

I don't have any "biological" nieces or nephews currently, but my brother Justin is getting married this November so I am sure that they will follow soon (I hope). So for now I have my pseudo nieces Natalie and Chloe. I am going to tell you about the love I have for them. I am sure all you Aunties and Uncles out there will agree with how these little munchkins have a special place in your heart and they will have that special place in your heart forever!

When I found out Spring was going to have a baby I was over joyed! I knew I would have a role in her unborn child's life, I did not know how big their role in my life would be. I meet my niece Natalie when she was 4 months old, I wanted to meet her much sooner, but with my crazy schedule, and Spring being a new mom, things were hard trying to coordinate a, day to meet up. So I went to a going away party for Springs brother who was leaving for Arizona, and I was so excited to meet miss Natalie Marie! When I walked in I said my hello to my "extended family" and there she was, little Natalie with the biggest blue eyes I had ever seen! She was a beautiful baby and instantly I was in love with her. She melted my heart and I have been wrapped around her little finger ever since.

Her first overnight with Auntie and Uncle was when she was 7 months old, I was so excited to have her at our house for the weekend, and I was nervous too! It had been so long since I had a baby over night, but I was confident that I would do fine, and so was her mommy. I did not sleep much that night. I had set up her pac and play in my kids' room and I checked on her every 10 minutes. I finally just moved the whole thing into our bedroom and slept with on hand on the pac and play for comfort (I know over the top, but I wanted to make sure she was good through the night). After the first weekend I was ready for it again! I swear I had that little girl every other weekend and I loved every minute of it. Spring and I often joked that we should have a joint custody order so we know who's weekend it was!

When Natalie was two I had the opportunity to be her "nanny" for the summer. I was so excited! I had so much fun with her the 4 months I watched her. She went every where with me! We took trips to Lions field and looked for crabs, and shells, we even got Auntie and Niece picture that I still have framed to this day. She was my little side kick. It was one of the best summers I can remember!

While I was being the Nanny Spring told me she was going to be a mommy for the second time! I again was over joyed! I could not wait to meet this new bundle of joy! Before Chloe was born, I tried to make sure Natalie knew what was happening. Spring did an excellent job on keeping Natalie apart of her pregnancy. I wanted to make sure Natalie knew that even though there was going to be a new baby at home mommy and daddy still loved her just as much! Spring and I worried at first she may be a little jealous of Chloe by the way she acted the first time she meet her. I took Natalie to the hospital to meet her baby sister, and Natalie wanted nothing to do with her. In fact I think she pinched her when we tried to take a picture of her holding Chloe.

Despite Natalie's "lack of interest" for her new sister, I was once again in love with this beautiful baby girl. I new that I would love her but I wondered if I would love Chloe as much as Natalie since Natalie and I had such a bond. But when I saw Chloe Jean, I knew I loved her just as much as my first niece. Chloe and I too have a special bond. I could not imagine my world with out these two munchkins. The two girls have stayed with me at least once a month if not more since the day Natalie came into my life. I now know the bond my Aunts felt with me when I was younger and I know understand the love they have for me. Its the same love and bond I share with Natalie and Chloe.

I think back to all the time I have spent with my Aunts weather they be biological or not I have a special bond with each and every one of them. Even if I don't see my Aunts as often or we live far away from each other, I have such fond memories of spending time with them. From going to California for the summer, to spending weekends in Seattle (or summers when mom broke her foot), to just spending the day with my Aunts. Each moment I spent with them I Cherish and hold in a special place in my heart. I hope that one day when Natalie and Chloe look back they have the same feeling for me as I do for my aunts.