Today

[So – while I avoid everyone and everything that is red and pink today [Im watching CURLING on tv for crissakes! though, it’s oddly facinating…], I instead focus on what the world doesn’t know, but that my family does – what today REALLY is – Buglet’s birthday! So instead of dealing with my valentine-less day, I’m gonna write a letter to my wee buglet instead.]

Eeeeeeeeeey bugget!

Two years ago today, your momma called and said “this time, i’m not coming home without a baby!” and I said “woman! you’ve got three more days!” for she’d already neglected to have your sister on my birthday like the giant brat your momma is. I felt SURE you were my key to ‘sharing the day’ happiness. Alas, you had other ideas! We should have realized from the beginning that you ALWAYS would have your own way no matter what.

I was the first to know of your impending arrival. DD – the psychic babycomingmeter kitty, had been sniffing up on your momma, and I kept giving her the look, and she kept saying she couldn’t do it again, so it wasn’t true. [Yes, we are all creatures of avoidance at times.] I just kept telling her it’d be ok. When she finally took the test, it was me she cried on first, and my hand on her belly was the first welcoming touch when she decided that despite the odds of it being a rough pregnacy again, she was going to keep you.

To help momma know it would be ok, I talked to you EVERY day. Every single one. I’d done it with your brother n sister too, but this is about you, and how important I felt it was that you know how eager I was to see your little face. If I didn’t see your momma one day, I’d have her put the phone on her belly, and I’d talk to you that way. As a direct result, we are NOT surprised at how very much you love to talk on the phone!
I rubbed her belly as you grew, and I’d whisper secrets – secrets only you and I know to this day! And I told you how much Auntie loves you, and how excited I was to have a wee buglet coming! You grew, and thrived, and made your momma throw up, and secretly you n me giggled over it all. We’ve been co-conspiritors from day one!

I knew momma was right when she called and said you was coming. [I also know you was a boy, but since we’d agreed to confuse her, kept telling momma otherwise! surprise!] I didn’t get to the hospital, because you were determined to take your time, and it was early in the morning and I had your cousins to take care of too. But I cheered when gramma called me to tell me how healthy you were, even though you was so very, very tiny! You were the smallest of all our babies, though I dare say, you’ve the biggest personality and determination streak of all of them too. That’s just the way you work.

When I got to the hospital, oh! I was so proud! I had your brothers, your sister, and now you -what more could an Auntie possibly want? Your cousins and Uncle were beside themselves with excitement too.

We crept into the room, and I’ll never ever forget it – you were with your momma, and I said “Where’s my buglet?” and you turned your little face right toward me, and my ovaries spontaniously combusted, and my heart swelled 14 more sizes that day in order to hold all the love I felt for our completed family.

You were so little, my wee lil buglet, and as I folded you into my arms, and held you against my chest, you snuggled up so close and comfortable, I melted all over the place. And I love you more every day – with each phone call, and each time I make your momma roll her eyes cuz I give you something to drive her insane with. I love the way you keep your words to yourself, unless you really want us to know what your thinking. I love how you make sure that momma doesn’t know that you know my name, and only say it when she’s not looking. I love your carefree giggle, your squeels of delight when I walk in the door, and how you always always share my food and let me nuzzle your neck for just a moment before rushing off to get into trouble. I love how much trouble you can get into! And each phone call from your momma exclaiming “YOUR NEPHEW!” while I know that you n me are sharing a secret giggle over it all, just like we did when we shared secrets while you were in her belly.

I love you buglet – and hope you have the happiest birthday ever! Just you wait till you see what I’ma get ya! It’ll drive yer mum NUTS!

All my love,
Auntie.