a first

the boys love to brag that they have “over 40 cousins”. there is some truth to that, in that i myself have a gaggle of them, thanks to 2 parents from 6 kid families. still, there is something precious and quite momentous about a first first cousin.

mo is the youngest of my husband’s 3 siblings. this always gives me a giggle; her being the “baby”, because she is ANYTHING but. she is truly one of the more maternal people i know;  constantly looking out for every one, often the organizer of adventures, always the dependable one. oh, and she’s fiercely, unshakably loyal to her people. so there was no doubt she’d be a great mama. and the lovable, loving man she married would be a fab daddy-o. all the same, meeting o; this bright-eyed and beautiful boy, this little beam of light that we all find ourselves so drawn to, was sweeter and more delicious than i’d expected.  as it turns out, auntiehood, much like motherhood, can shock you with the sheer depth in which you can love a little one. and it’s sure a treat watching the “baby” love the baby that is hers.