We got to my house, the same house I have lived in my entire life, around 2:00. I introduced my roommate to my parents before heading to my sister's house in Syracuse to help get things set up for the party. (We were making muddy buddies and she needed some of the ingredients that my mom had picked up at the store).
However, once I got to my sister's house my focus shifted from the upcoming party and the treats I needed to make, to the little blond baby waiting for me at the gate at the top of the stairs. I never knew the power a baby held until this blue eyed boy, Mckay, entered my life nearly a year ago. He has me wrapped around his little fingers and he doesn't even know it.
As soon as I walked up the stairs I picked him up and hugged him, but not too close. He doesn't actually like to snuggle. I introduced him to my roommate and we began a game with him and the paper towel role he was playing with before we showed up. (It's amazing how interesting everyday objects suddenly become when you're entertaining a small child).
Throughout the party I turned to find Mckay, picking him up or playing with him and whatever toy had grabbed his attention. He currently has a slight cold and isn't feeling the greatest so every once in a while a small whimper would escape his lips. The sound melted my heart and whenever I heard it I couldn't help but pick him up and try to comfort him. It didn't matter what was going on with the party, my world at the moment revolved around him.
It's amazing, the connection between family members, specifically between an aunt and her nephew. I have always been told that being an aunt is the best, but I didn't understand what that meant until March 18, 2014 when Mckay entered my life. He's been a part of our family for less than a year and yet I can't picture life without him.
He loves to laugh and smile. His favorite game is peek-a-boo (with roaring sound effects as opposed to saying "peek-a-boo"). He's already walking and gets into absolutely everything he can possibly reach. Bath time is his favorite time of day and he loves to read stories and to turn the pages himself.
And no matter what my reason for going home, he somehow always makes my visit even better. My friends were right, being an aunt really is the best.
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| Me and Mckay (my own picture) |
I don't have any nieces or nephews yet; this post makes me look forward to it. You make your love for your nephew very clear. It's so true that babies and children find magic in the simplest everyday items!
ReplyDeleteLike Katie, this post made me excited for the future. I also think your comments like this: "I picked him up and hugged him, but not too close. He doesn't actually like to snuggle."
ReplyDeleteLike Katie, this post made me excited for the future. I also think your comments like this: "I picked him up and hugged him, but not too close. He doesn't actually like to snuggle."
ReplyDeleteI loved how you took a simple occasion, like a party, a transformed the story into one of familial love. Your descriptions of your nephew and your love for him were so tender. I got married in May and immediately became an aunt. I love it. I am excited for when I am an aunt to my own siblings children.
ReplyDeleteThere is always a special connection between an aunt and her nieces and nephews. In my opinion, they are your children too. That bond was first created when I got to hold them as babies for the first time. I loved to play games with them while babysitting or in our downstairs' toy room during family gatherings at my house when I was younger. One of my favorite things is do is to talk/text them now they are older because I love to hear about their lives. I know them and will love them forever, just like you know and love Mckay. No matter how old he gets and wherever life takes you and him, he will always have a special place in your heart. I know because I think of my nieces and nephews often and love them with all if my heart.
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