Thanks to Derek and his parents picking up the slack and taking care of our kids, I got to go see my sisters a couple weeks ago. My sisters are worth visiting all on their own, but when you add their terrific families, which now include TWO NEW BABIES- one apiece- I mean, I just couldn't stay away. Especially when our mother starts throwing around phrases like, "If you want to go see the new babies once they're born, I'll pay for your travel expenses." I was very calm and chill when she threw that offer on the table, FYI.
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| No, I wasn't. |
Once there, I got to play one of my favorite games: Annoy the newborn. The aim of this game is simple: hold and love and coo at the newborn until sheer overwhelming persistence forces them to love you. You may choose to go about it another way, but my strategy sounds something like this: "Gwen! Hi, Gwen! Gwennie! Gweeeeeniiiiie! Open your eyes, Gwen! It's your Aunt Kristy! Hello, Gwen! You're so soft, Gwen! You're so tiny, Gwen! I'm so glad you're here, Gwendolyn!"
I think my results speak for themselves:
And finally,
Here she is clearly thinking, "When exactly are you going to go home and leave me in peace?" Or maybe, "Thank God you're not the aunt that lives within 300 miles of me."
Really, though, this is a child who will most likely never be left alone, as her sisters love her,
ahem, a whole lot.
Babies holding babies, which is a much nicer concept than babies
having babies, which is what my nurse said while I was in labor with Atticus and we were serenaded by the screaming of the young teenager next door delivering her own baby. She had at first refused an epidural, later changed her mind, but alas, it was too late. She let the entire ward in on her displeasure. I was just thankful I wasn't in labor with our first baby, or it would have scared the pants off of me. Except my pants were already off. You understand what I'm saying.
Thankfully, these big sisters are already providing wonderful examples of how to live your life to baby Gwen.
I mean, the girl's reading a book, practicing her yogic Easy pose, while getting her hair did. I know adults who don't have their lives together like this preschooler does.
Later this week, my other sister's cherubs, and ways in which I like to frighten Derek when I'm traveling alone!
