there is so much joy to be had right now.

the past few weeks i have wanted so badly to throw myself a pity party, to wallow in my sadness. but then all my friends and family have flooded me with good news and happiness of their own and i found it near impossible to attend my own party.

friends have announced engagements, weddings, babies and cancer remissions. i am so, so happy for all their joys and triumphs. i have seen some of them go through rough patches like this so i'm encouraged that there is hope for me. i will have happy news to flood them with. some day.

and there are happy things happening to me right now, so i wallow in those instead.

my goal has always been to be that crazy, silly aunt that my nephews and neices find to be both wacky and their best friend. so when my nephew associates me with dancing shoes and jazz hands, i think i am well on my way.

(captions courtesy of poppop.)

and how special it is, being an aunt. when i hear my nephew's sweet voice saying "hi aunt jesse, i love you" i feel like i might bust open. when he favors my gifts over others, i feel connected. when i see pictures of him with his "hair" (usually a blue snuggie, but in a pinch, a shirt will do) i feel incredibly lucky to have such a unique, creative soul to call my nephew.

so imagine my elation at getting the phone call this friday, "it's a girl!" elizabeth jane was born this friday and i have waited four long days to announce it. i now have a nephew AND a niece, a match set to smother in love. and she is perfect from her button nose to her long schmitt toes. i can't wait to dress her in a tutu and teach her how to "rond de jambe."

when aidan was born, i cried my little eyes out because i was so far away. this time i was even further but i kept my cool. i know what to expect this time. just because i wasn't there the day they were born doesn't make me love them less. it makes me treasure them more. and i just can't wait to love this little one up.

 



baby sister looks just like baby brother when he was born.





i mean how could you not be happy looking at these precious little look alike babies.

i can throw that pity party another day. there is so much joy to be had right now.