These photos crack my heart wide open to reveal the melty centre inside; Mr Wobble Head has turned me into a chocolate liqueur. I’ve been in the auntie club for all of a month and a half, but already things have changed. I have held little babies before and basked in the love-vibes they emanate, the ones that makes you want to protect them at all costs. But with Noah it feels different. After only three days with him last weekend I am completely and utterly head-over-heels in love with this little guy, to the point where I’ve felt sad all week because I wasn’t able to see him. Every time I spoke to my sister on the phone I felt tearful. WTF?
I’ll share a shameful secret with you: when my sister was pregnant i was scared that i would lose her, that she would be pulled into the land of motherhood and i, her single childless sister, would be left behind; Abby is the closest person to me in the whole world, and the thought of losing her was an agony i carried quietly and worriedly. After the euphoria of the birth came the emotional crash of the day after, but as Abby has found her way so have I. Our paths may be looking radically different right now, but we still, happily, share our singular sister brain cell.
I haven’t read any books about being an auntie so i didn’t know what to expect. I mean, how hard can it be? I’ve had wonderfully close relationships with friends’ kids, so surely it would be like that. But what i’ve discovered, during my first tentative steps into auntiehood, is that this time it’s different. He is family. He is a part of my sister, and because she is a part of me then he is a part of me too… it’s a big mush of family connection, and I love it. Noah looks uncannily like I did as a baby; there was a moment last weekend when i was holding him and looked at his tiny face and just completely recognised him. It was weird and beautiful, strange and bonding.
Did i mention his cute little fuzzy head?
This feeling – this in-love-ness – will grow and change as he grows and changes, and I’m looking forward to being there for him every step of the way. What’s even more interesting is that I don’t feel broody at all; rather, I just feel attached to HIM. I’m not swooning and wishing I had my own baby in my arms; i simply want to protect him and love him and make him happy. Mr Wobble Head. Little Noah Bear. My nephew.
See? I’ve fallen in love.
* * * * *
In other news, while my heart has been exploding with love for MWH, my brain has been doing some exploding of its own. Thank you so much for all the feedback on the workshops – i can barely write fast enough to get all my ideas and plans down. I’m cooking up some magic for you!
ah — a cute fuzzy little head — gotta love that! What a cutie!
So sweet.
hey love your blog, always the most prettiest pictures on here! so lovely! :) have a faboules week!
I know exactly what you’re talking about (I have a Noah amongst several nieces & nephews!) & you’re going to have so so so much fun. Plus, the responsibility that I know, from reading your blog, you will cherish & take seriously. Sometimes, as he grows, he will need to tell you things, test stuff out, etc. You’ll figure it out just as you’re starting to do. Very exciting news to hear about a new little Noah.
Cheers & best wishes.
Susan
I love being an aunt too. I have two grown nephews and two elementary school aged nephews and they truly provide the funniest and happiest moments of my life. Auntie rules: You must always have gum, and you must know at least five different verses of the Diarrhea Song.
You’re absolutely going to fall even more in love with him everyday. I have 10 neices and nephews and have felt that exact same way. I have also found that the love a child has for an aunt is special. When he is old enough to form words and show his personality, he’s going to show you that too.
What a little love and the sad wobble face awww…so precious. Beautiful photo’s.
I’m a card-carrying auntie club member three times over and you are so right, it does grow and change but just morphs into a different kind of magic – when they can actually tell you what they are thinking it blows you away! Gorgeous pictures
LOL!! I shall get practicing :)
i can. not. wait :)
and TEN? that’s like a *classroom* of love!
Yay for the Auntie Club! I can’t wait to have a mini conversation with the Wobble head man :)
Oh yes, I know the hideous feeling even too well. I am a childless woman and whenever I grow close to a friend… well… off she goes and has a baby. Thus I am used to living in fear that I will drop off her radar, even though I would love to be involved, despite getting into the car taking an hour instead of two ticks. Most of the time, they do shoot off along a completely different path but occasionally I have come across the girl who really prizes a childless friend, as she returns a very important sense of individuality to her. I must add though that it never occurred to me that your sister would, somehow, proceed without you. You even look alike for crying out loud!
Welcome to the Auntie club!
I was completely caught off guard by the love I felt for my first nephew when he was born 12 years ago. Now I have 10 nieces and nephews and I’ve learned that when people go on about how you only know true love once you’ve had your own child they are completely wrong – aunties get it 100% as well. I’d lie down on the track for any of my nieces and nephews any day of the week and they love me in a way that no human being ever had before.
Surprised by joy – that’s my take on being an aunty.
Auntiedom – honestly, you get the fun that mum doesn’t get. she has to make the rules and set them, you get to break them and have fun! you are in for a ride of your life ~ enjoy!
I don´t have any brothers or sisters so I will never feel that but going back to my childhood my aunties were the best for me!! really the best! I´m sure your nephew will feel the same for you :)
Hi there mega-magic-super auntie ;-)
You did it again! I mean, we can feel the love you have for this tiny person through your words.
As for being an auntie – well, I’m a mom of three. I have been busy with my own blessings for the last seven years, but some months ago I suddenly felt an urge to become an auntie, too. So I called my freshly married sister (who’s the cutest person on earth) and announced I was ready to become an auntie – as if they were waiting for my approval. Now I’m waiting. The thought I will (hopefully) be an auntie one day makes me radiate with joy every time I think of it. I have already planned his/her stay during summer holidays at our place :-)
Hugs
me too, proud and mushy auntie club member… so relish the babyhood, and then watch out for the words and the “private” talks, they just keep getting better and better, funnier and funnier, and you will no doubt get smooshier and smooshier around him (if you can believe that)
How courageous to have recognized those fears. What joy to come out on the other side with new love & more love.
That is good love. And he’s such a cutie.
EXACTLy same feelings! falling in love, looking at kids in a very different way from this moment :)
All we need is Love
Hi, there!
I’ve been reading your blog for a while now, but had never commented. Today, as I was reading about your nephew and how you “recognised him”, I remembered something.
I had a very good French teacher a couple of years ago, and he used to tell us about the history of words. So one day he told us about “reconnaître”, which is “recognise”.
If you separate the different parts, you have “re”, which is “again”. “co”, which is “with someone, together”. And “naître”, which is “to be born”. So, basically, what “reconnaître” means is “to be born with someone again”, like in soul mates or siblings of the soul… isn’t that beautiful?
So, yes, I thought of that when you said you recognised your nephew. I think you both are beautiful that way.
ohh, that is SO lovely – thank you for sharing that with us! xo
my sister is the childless auntie, the kids love her to death.
Hi, there!I’ve been reading your blog for a while now, but had never commented. Today, as I was reading about your nephew and how you “recognised him”, I remembered something.I had a very good French teacher a couple of years ago, and he used to tell us about the history of words. So one day he told us about “reconnaître”, which is “recognise”.If you separate the different parts, you have “re”, which is “again”. “co”, which is “with someone, together”. And “naître”, which is “to be born”. So, basically, what “reconnaître” means is “to be born with someone again”, like in soul mates or siblings of the soul… isn’t that beautiful?So, yes, I thought of that when you said you recognised your nephew. I think you both are beautiful that way.
+1
being an aunt it the BEST! and I have my own kids…. I was an auntie first though. you shuold get Skype – it is free and then you can see him all the time!
He looks so close to the edge of the couch. I’ve got my arms out to catch him. and then they grow up. my nephews are now 15 & 17 and this weekend I’m taking them to what is called Dozer Days where they get to crawl all over earth moving equipment and ride on them…. etc. and then the youngest one. for his birthday I’m taking him to cirque soleil. He didn’t even know what it was, I told him he’d like it and his parents were all like…. why are you taking HIM? Cuz it’s his birthday.last year I took my sis on her birthday to see Celtic Women in concert. it was great.
I have a dozen nieces and nephews. I’m closest to my only sister’s children, and my oldest brother’s children (he married my best friend). I know I’m always welcome in their houses. They send us pictures and keep us updated. I don’t have children of my own, but I think that I would be ok with never having children because of my relationship with my nieces and nephews.
…and every baby could use more than one mommy and daddy.
…and every baby could use more than one mommy and daddy.