Getting to Know You

I'll say it again. I'm blessed. You know all about my three children. But did you know that I have 7 nieces and nephews and one on the way? And they are all between ages six and in the womb. That's a lot of babies being born in a short amount of time. Yes, I always tell people that my siblings (that's including Mike's brother and wife as I claim them as mine too) and us are doing the "same thing" at the "same time".



It is really fun and the best way to make cousins - grow'em up together. The only downside is that when there is a family get together, we are all taking care of our own brood and barely have enough time and energy to spend one on one time with each others' children.



So I do what I can - and this summer that meant carving out some special time for two of them. I took my brother's son for a couple days and a night. And then Mike's brother's daughter for two nights. Yes, it was a little extra work, but I got to know Cole and Phoebe a lot better and more importantly, they know their auntie Stefanie in a more intimate way too. I love the memories we now share - they and I. And I love that Phoebe hugs me a little tighter when I see her too. Here I introduce you to them through an Auntie's eyes:



This is Cole. He is my brother, Jon and his beautiful wife, Meghann's firstborn. And now I get to brag outright, since Auntie's are allowed...He is the smartest 4 year old you may ever meet. He is reading and I mean READING already and has been for awhile. He can navigate a computer and knows his states too. But the part that really makes me want to ooh and aahh over him is his demeanor. He is so mild mannered and I just don't have a quiet child in my midst, so it amazes me. He is easy going and has great manners and is just stinkin' cute. Plus he looks a lot like my brother, whom many tell me is very handsome:). I will take him at my house anyday!

The morning I took him home, I was trying a teacher method of praising others to get the distracted "one" to redirect themselves. So, as Maisie screamed about her carseat being too tight, I purposely, yet honestly said aloud, "Cole, YOU listen so well. Can I keep you forever?"

Cole got that glazed over, thinking hard sort of look and replied, "No, I don't think so." And since he was taking it literally, I decided to clarify and said, "Well, can I just keep you as my nephew for forever?"

That's when he said, "Well, I think I will probably only live to be 100 years old...." Still taking it literally and the conversation continued hilariously in that direction.

I could eat him up!

Now here is Phoebe Claire. She is Matt and Becca's only little girl and she loves being girlie with my girls. She was tickled beyond measure to be invited for a two night "slumber party" in August. She is surrounded by gun shooting, punch throwing, weird noise making boys. I love her brothers to pieces, but goodness sake, I gotta give my niece a little break from them everyonce in awhile. However, I don't believe she had ever been away from her TWIN brother, Jabe - so this was really big. We played hard and had fun with this sweetie. Really, she just fits right in!

The second night, the girls decided to all sleep in Daphne's room together. So we prepared the beds and they were completely jazzed. I got some cute pictures of them in their still anticipatory mood. It wasn't till after the lights were turned off and I told them to go to sleep that Phoebe got a little teary. I only show you the bottom video because as the Auntie, I think it is completely endearing - her sweet voice and her attempt at trying to be stubborn. Sorry Phoebe, this momma has seen worse tantrums. So once again, I'll have this little one over anytime!