All throughout our wait, I was counting the time based on the age of my sister's two youngest children; my nieces, Ava and Lydia. One dream I have always had is for my sisters and I to have children who are close in age so they can grow up together. Charlie's timing was perfect for us in so many ways, but this was a big one. Ava is two years older than Charlie, and Lydia is five months older.
Toward the end of our waiting period, I was beginning to fear that having cousins close in age to my children was going to be a dream I wouldn't be able to fulfill. It was one of the many reasons I was becoming very restless and impatient right before we found out about Charlie. Now when I see the kids playing together, it puts a smile on my face because I know they will grow up and have many opportunities to get to know one another...and hopefully to become close friends.
To round it out, I also have a nephew who is 16. Nick and I have always had a particularly close and special bond. When he was a baby, I took an active role in helping my sister care for him. I remember rocking him, and singing to him when he was just a little older than Charlie is now. We were best friends before he could talk...and in fact, it's because of Nick that the majority of my family and friends call me "Melba."
About a year ago, Nick moved to Indiana to live with his dad. I have been sad about this, but I also know that Nick needs to branch out and explore the world on his terms. Even though we see him a lot less now, and that trend will continue when Nick goes away to college, I am still hopeful that Charlie will come to know his oldest cousin well. I hope Nick will be someone Charlie can look up to and talk to as he grows.
I am also hopeful that our family will continue to grow, both with siblings for Charlie, as well as more cousins from my younger sister's wing. If that is not to be the case though, I still feel immensely blessed with the children we do have, and so grateful for the fact that Charlie will get to grow up with his cousins.
Toward the end of our waiting period, I was beginning to fear that having cousins close in age to my children was going to be a dream I wouldn't be able to fulfill. It was one of the many reasons I was becoming very restless and impatient right before we found out about Charlie. Now when I see the kids playing together, it puts a smile on my face because I know they will grow up and have many opportunities to get to know one another...and hopefully to become close friends.
To round it out, I also have a nephew who is 16. Nick and I have always had a particularly close and special bond. When he was a baby, I took an active role in helping my sister care for him. I remember rocking him, and singing to him when he was just a little older than Charlie is now. We were best friends before he could talk...and in fact, it's because of Nick that the majority of my family and friends call me "Melba."
About a year ago, Nick moved to Indiana to live with his dad. I have been sad about this, but I also know that Nick needs to branch out and explore the world on his terms. Even though we see him a lot less now, and that trend will continue when Nick goes away to college, I am still hopeful that Charlie will come to know his oldest cousin well. I hope Nick will be someone Charlie can look up to and talk to as he grows.
I am also hopeful that our family will continue to grow, both with siblings for Charlie, as well as more cousins from my younger sister's wing. If that is not to be the case though, I still feel immensely blessed with the children we do have, and so grateful for the fact that Charlie will get to grow up with his cousins.
13 comments:
Yay for cousins and family!! Isn't it great to have family to raise your son around and be close with? I can barely handle Charlie's cuteness in that ball cap! You must be such a proud mama! :)
Beautiful Pictures! You have a beautiful family and son. Congratulations. I found your blog by way of another blog.
SO sweet!! That is very special!! Unfortunately, due to my sister's MS, she will not be having any children. Our nephews are so much older than our two, and not close. But, we have great-nephew baby J here for now, and that is a cousin they are getting to know well!
I love these family pics! C is definitely loved by his cousins :)
Melba! I know exactly what you mean about wanting Charlie to be close to his cousins. I was in tears about this when we went on our latest camping excursion with my family. My oldest sisters kiddos are 11, almost 9, and 5. I was already sad that they didn't have cousins to play with, and then my BIL's family showed up...with TONS of kids to play with. I just sat there, wishing I had a little one for them to play with. :( My sister calmly reminded me that since they are older, I will have kids to dote over and take care of my little one...but, it was hard for me to think that way on that day! So glad Charli has some cousins who are close in age! :) There's still hope with my little sister, just need to get her a man now!! Ha!
Oh Melba, I've been enjoying the pictures of your beautiful little man. I can't believe it's been two months already! He and his cousins are going to be great friends. It's wonderful that they'll be able to grow up together. Also, thanks for much for the sweet comments on my blog.
Family is so important. I am so glad your little Charlie has lots of it around. I dont know what I would do without my family, they are so important to me and my kids.
What a handsome young man your nephew is!
Love to you and your lovely family!
You are indeed blessed. It's so wonderful to have so many close in age to your son.
Love the pictures. The one of Ava holding Charlie is adorable. And Lydia chewing on his hand, too cute.
i feel so much of what you wrote here. :) milo has lots of cousins and i'm so thankful for that. i would love for milo to have siblings but don't know if that will be possible or not.....thank heaven he'll be squished in the middle of lots of cuzzies. :)
those "first" nephews/nieces are so special aren't they? :) sounds like yours is extra extra special. :)
I love babies sucking on another babies hands, too cute!
Great pictures. It's great that Charlie has cousins so close to his age.
That picture of charlie and the other baby linking arms is just to cute.
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