So I’ve figured out the whole baby thing.

I had a panic a few weeks ago – afraid my own desires for a baby would keep me from being a good aunt. I worried about the baby shower, and worried about my reaction when my niece finally gets here.

Then I realized something. I have a hard time with things that are for general babies. The little boy clothes, all the cute things on etsy, the baby swings and bouncies- things like that hurt my heart a little.

But things that have to do with my niece? Wonderful. Comfortable. Amazing. I can look at pink and bows and dresses all day, and knowing they are for Ella makes it all okay.

So general baby = kinda hard. But Ella = squee!

I don’t even think about what I don’t have because I’m going to have a NIECE. I am going to be her only AUNT. We’ll be the aunt and uncle who bring her things from the city. The ones that spoil her and buy her loud toys. You know, as payback for the torture I received from my little brother.

I’m no longer afraid of my reaction to seeing her. No longer nervous that I won’t be a good aunt.

I’m gonna be a great aunt. Not a great-aunt. But a great. aunt.

Wow, this went downhill fast.

So I guess that is the best possible segue to tell you a little about the family I grew up in. We find odd things funny. Especially wordplay. My dad’s favorite jokes have punchlines like “The beer that made Mel Famey walk us.” We have a cat named U, as in, “I didn’t do it! It must have been U!” Dad’s cat is Stella the Fella. The boat? “R” Boat. Mom wanted to name the boat T&A (my parents are Tony and Amy), but Dad talked her out of that. Nothing is normal with us. And we laugh a lot. A lot.

My mom has decided that she doesn’t want to be called Granny or Nana or Mamaw. She’s spent 8 months trying to figure out what she wanted to be called. She’s settled on “that Lady.” As in “I want to go to That Lady’s house!” And Christmas presents from That Lady. And my parents being referred to as Papaw and That Lady. I think it is brilliant. And totally perfect for my mom.

Nate and I aren’t going to be normal either. My family has always called me “Sis” or “Seester.” So I will be Aunt Sis. And Nathan? Uncle Red.

I can’t wait to meet Ella later this month. I hope she’s prepared for what she’s being born into. My family is gonna love her plum up!