I am in love. Seriously in love. With my 13 month old niece, Livy, that is. Look at her adorable smiles, she was so happy that Auntie Quack Quack came to visit and babysit her while her Mama (my sister) went for an appointment.
Let me explain the short story behind why I am Auntie Quack Quack; when my daughter was a baby, quacking with my hands was a way I could calm her when out in public with me. I naturally gave it a try one day with Livy, who was a little upset and low and behold it worked! Since that day I have been deemed Auntie Quack Quack because my Quack Quack whether it be in person or over the phone makes Livy smile. I am trying hard to get Livy to say Auntie but she has only said it maybe twice, her preferred term for me is Quack Quack. Sigh.
This particular day, last Tuesday was such a joy! Livy smiled big for me the whole time and enjoys playing this “you can’t get me” game where she crawls away from you quickly after pushing towards you to tease you like “come and get me”. Livy has quite the personality and now that she is “on the go” it was not easy for me to get her to nap. In the past, a simple lullaby in Auntie’s arms would relax her to sleep, not so much this particular day. Livy wanted to run and explore and play with Auntie, okay not run but crawl quickly!
One of our favorite things to do is to read this Care Bear book, actually a hand me down from my home to Livy. I passed down a lot of the books we had accumulated after Livy was born so that Livy could experience a love of books just like my kiddos. It’s adorable that to this day Livy remembers our Care Bear book and she often grabs it, turns pages and smiles at me to read along while she “reads” page by page. She is simply precious!
My sister and I chat on the phone often but I don’t get to visit as often as I would like to because she is 45 minutes away and as I wrote the other day, I have my hands full with my seven year old son. I was told Livy is starting to take steps and standing up all confident, this picture above shows her cute face standing there and she stood there, while letting go of that toy forever. It was as if she was showing off her new skill to her Auntie. Later on, my Dad showed up after my sis returned home and Livy actually walked about 2 feet to me, stood at my legs, looked up and held her hands upwards in a “pick me up” way. I scooped her up all proud and happy. February 11, 2014 was the first time my niece walked to me!
I must admit, after years of realizing that my sister probably wouldn’t have a baby and I wouldn’t ever become an auntie, this experience has been a true blessing for my sister and myself. Being an Auntie has shown me how my sister felt about my first born child, she truly loved her in a way that you love your own child. I would do anything to ensure Livy is protected, and my sister. I love them dearly and never in a million years would I think I could love another baby the same exact way I love my own children I gave birth to. Family is such a blessing to have.
She has the BEST grin!
Being a mom is always fun, but I never imagined how great it would be to be an aunt! I get to spoil my nephew (20 months) and don’t have to discipline him.
What a little sweetie. My daughter had the same giraffe. Great toy.
oh my gosh, she’s cute, cute, cute!! Look at that precious smile!
What a cutie pie π Yes, I love my sister’s boys like they were my own. I wish we were as close as 45 minutes, unfortunately we’re more like 21 hours apart π