I've been an aunt for 9 years now. I remember vividly when my niece was born and we flew out to Colorado to meet her. She was the tiniest baby I'd ever held at the time, had a head full of gorgeous hair, and was as adorable as she was beautiful. She made me an aunt for the first time and I loved her the moment I held her. I missed a lot of her first 2 years living so far away, but got to see her for my wedding and it wasn't long after that my sister moved closer. Just in time for my nephew to be born. 😊
My newborn nephew was just as adorable as his sister! He had a ton of hair that was SO blonde it was nearly clear. He looked exactly how you would imagine a little baby cherub to look. I loved him instantly.
I didn't miss as much of his first year, and soon after he was born they lived close enough to see often!
My nephew and Leah are only 5 months apart. They have literally grown up together. They're two of my favorite people to just sit and watch, and always have been. They don't look much alike (in comparison my niece and Leah have a lot of similarities) but they couldn't be more alike in other ways. They have the oddest similarities! From their mannerisms, all the way down to when they were both put into the NICU upon their arrivals into the world, for the same exact condition. (What are the odds?) They amaze me and their special bond brings me so much joy!
As for my niece and Hailey, well I predict at least some trouble in their future teen years. They're two insanely gorgeous spitfires! Luckily, they have really good, protective daddies to stave off the inevitable wave of boys that I sense flocking their way in a couple of years. Their relationship is a little different than Leah and my nephew's, but they're the best of friends and very close. I love that as far back as they can remember they've been a large part of each other's lives.
My niece falls between Leah and Hailey, so not only do Leah and my nephew, and Hailey and my niece have special bonds, but Leah and my niece also have a special bond. Some people, especially outside of the family, may not see it, but they almost look like they could be sisters. Same nose, same mouth, same freckles, same exact color of hair, nearly the same size! The only large difference is their eyes, in both shape and color.
Being a stay-at-home mom I get to have my niece and nephew over quite a bit in the summer. (And some teacher workdays and holidays during the school year.) I've documented many summers over the years through photos and even a video or two and they're some of my favorite memories to look back on!
My nephew also has a pretty special bond with Joshua. I sometimes used to worry about their 6 year age difference, but Joshua is an amazing kid and never hesitates to get out there and play with his cousin! He always includes him, looks out for him, loved teaching him things, and he does an awesome job filling a "big brother" type role. And my nephew also jumps into the "big brother" role for Grayson as well!
Honestly, they all share a special bond with one another. They truly love and care for each other and always, ALWAYS have fun when they're together. I know they'll all be lifelong best friends.
I wouldn't trade getting to be their aunt B/Bean/Beaner for the world! Truly. I love those kids like crazy!
They call me "aunt Bean" or "aunt B" or even just plain "beaner" more than they call me "aunt Brianne". To be honest, whenever they DO call me aunt Brianne (which is few and far between) it sounds just plain weird to me! 😂
So where does my "name" come from? Well Brianne isn't always the easiest for wee ones to pronounce. 9 times out of 10 it comes out as "Bee-Anne" which sounds more like "bien" than "Beeanne". lol When said quickly by a just-learning-to-talk toddler it comes out sounding like "bean". (With a little southern twang to it maybe. lol) So from the time she could talk I've been my niece's aunt Bean and because that's what she always called me and what her parents referred to me as, that's what my nephew called me as well. Bean, and sometimes Beaner, oh and sometimes just B. Beaner came from the kiddos just being silly, and B most likely came from what their mama calls me. (And what she's called me half the time my entire life.)
I had the pleasure of having them over last week and while they were here my nephew asked me why I was aunt Bean. I thought it was funny realizing he had no clue why he called me that, he just always had. So I explained it to him.
I love those kids as only an auntie can, and I realized recently I don't talk about them enough. So I thought I would make a post just for them. 😊
I also want to mention my two nephews up in PA, Michael and Christopher. Who are coincidentally awesome and amazing theirselves! I met them over ten years ago and while I haven't gotten to be their aunt since birth I feel lucky and blessed to have gotten to be their aunt these last 8+ years. They were adorable little boys when I first met them and they've grown into two handsome, hardworking, successful, young men! I am proud of who they are today, as is their uncle Mel. Their mama did an excellent job raising those boys and I'm lucky to have the pleasure of being their aunt Brianne. 😊
I love you Brinley, Milo, Michael and Christopher!!
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