Proud Aunt...the Biggest Understatement in the Whole Wide World.

 During the last 6 years of my life I've been privileged to be able to experience aunthood. And I never want to go back. Thankfully, that's just impossible. 

My brother Buck is 11 years older than me. My sister Phebe is 9 years older than me. So, yes, I suppose you could say I'm the baby. And spoiled? Nah. Okay fine, I got sugar cereal and Buck and Phebe didn't:) There's still some tension. So anyway, I just love them. And the older I get, the more I appreciate them. Here's P, B, and J a year and a half ago (I think).

So Buck married a great gal, April, and soon after they had their first. A ROCKIN' little girl named Phebe. Unfortunately, she lives in North Carolina, and is soon to live in Los Angeles. Boo. But she is such a quality gal and I'm so proud of her for being that great gal. I'd put money down in saying that my brother and sister-in-law are some of the BEST parents I've ever watched. Following-through-with-what-was-asked-or-told should probably be both of their middle names. You will NOT hear them ask or tell their children a direction without seeing them follow through with whatever was asked or told. They are great:) Well, anyway, here's Phebe. She's 6 (GASP!) years old...

About 3 years later my nephew, Buckley was born. Before I go on, yes, Phebe and Buckley are their names. Sound familiar? Why yes, I DO have a sister and brother named Phebe and Buckley AND a niece and nephew named Phebe and Buckley. We're big family name fans here. It goes without saying, if they don't name their 3rd child Jaquelin, and I don't care if it's a boy or a girl, I won't talk to them for 20 minutes. But I haven't heard any news of another, so they get out of that one. Alright so Buckley is 2.5 years old. And I didn't think Phebe's awesomeness could be beat. I just didn't. Phebe just rocks too much. But somehow, Buckley was able to meet my VERY high expectations (that were made, thanks to Lil' Pheebs). Phebe and Buckley are hands down the greatest Phebe Joy and Buckley Fischer I've ever met. No one can even compete. Phebe is a goof like her parents and aunts, and Buckley is so cute and so expressive and is no doubt a goof as well. I'm proud to have goofs for a niece and nephew:) So here's Buckley...

And e-gad, then Ruby was eventually born on July 14th...while I was speeding up I-89 trying to get to the delivery room in time. I just missed her debut into the world but was able to hold her for the next several hours and stare at her. I can't even begin to describe how obsessed I am with this child. I think it helps that she lives 3 hours away, rather than 15 hours away. It is so hard to keep up with Phebe and Buckley with the distance between us so we are fortunate to be able to see each other twice a year when that happens. I think of them often and am so proud of them. It's nice, though, to have Rubes right down the road. Well, not really, but relative to NC, it's much closer. Ruby is the best little clump of human there ever was. That's what it seems like. She's just so small and clumpy. And just so very very very cute. I can't wait to get to know her. Here she is...

So....with all this said, what am I going to be like when I eventually have my own kids? Oh goodness gracious those kids will be SMOTHERED by me. Absolutely. Positively. Smothered. But in the meantime, I'll be busy obsessing (in a healthy way, of course....) over my nieces and nephew:)