The Three Amigos

Last night, Miss Gabs had a fine time playing with her cousins over at their house. This is something she has done before, but the main difference now is that she is starting to walk and is even more curious about her surroundings nowadays. So, I dare say that Gabby saw last evening's visit as a grand exploration of new territory. Carter and Evan's territory.

So, they played and took toys away from one another and played some more. They shared sippy cups and attempted on more than one occassion to share bottles too, which was not a good idea since Gabby's was filled with breastmilk and Carter and Evan's was filled with whole milk and mixing them up just shouldn't happen. They fed themselves and tried to feed one another too, sometimes taking the other's food for themselves instead of being waited to be fed. To the naked eye, the interactions between the three of them probably seemed pretty normal for kids their age. But, to me, a whole other dynamic was at work.

Can I just take a moment to say how cute, yet how different they all are? Gabby with her big brown eyes, dark hair, petite little body and full face; Carter with his round head, big blue eyes, slight amount of hair and stocky build; and Evan with his equally gorgeous blue eyes, mischievious smile, blond hair and fair skin. Although they are cousins, they really have no physical features in common. Personality wise, they are each their own unique selves too.

In comparison to his brother, Mr. Carter seems to be a bit more affectionate with Gabby. He reaches out to touch her and shares a huge smile. Or he will bring her a treasure (like a tupperware lid or this minature airplane with two funny looking heads poking out of it) that he fully expects her to not only accept, but enjoy immensly. On his own, Carter is a bit of a character. He has a grand time stomping around and telling people off. He looks so much like my brother as a baby that it is almost surreal. Yet, he clearly has his own unique personality. He has a sweet little mouth surrounded by big, rosy cheeks. I just love that little guy!

Then there is sweet Evan. Evie also holds a special place in my heart. For starters, who can resist his cuddles???? I think that one of my favorite things about Evan is his voice. He can make sounds in this deep, husky voice then come out with a high-pitched "wow" immediatly after. His voice has a Scooby-Doo character to it, you know when Scooby says something and that last syllable hangs in the air at a slightly higher pitch? Physically, Evan looks a bit more like his mother's side of the family and not much like Carter at all. Again, he has is own personality too. Evan also seems to enjoy time with Gabby, but he definatly challenges her more than his brother does. He won't hesitate to take a toy away from her, although he does so very gently! The funny thing is, he seems most shocked when she fights back! And who could blame him? Gabs isn't very big, but she can pack a punch.

Seeing Gabby lined up next to her cousins, one is reminded of just how little she really is. They easily have 5 inches and probably 10 pounds on her! Yet, she seems to be able to hold her own. Her eyes light up when she sees them and I have caught her watching and learning from them more than once. She is surrounded by kids at her "school" all day long, so the novelty of two more little kids isn't what makes her want to play. I honestly think that they somehow know that they are cousins and always will be. Not in the sense that an adult would think of this, but more in the sense that there is a consistency in how often and where they see one another. Whatever it is, they have fun together and nothing could make me happier about that.

So last night as they played with toys in Nick and Jodi's living room, I watched them interract. I watched Carter bring a book to Gabby. I watched Evan marvel at a big, bouncing green ball. I watched as Gabby spied Carter and Evan playing ring around the rosie, in awe of their motor skills in all likelihood. I watched as Evan took whatever Gabby seemed to be interested in, as Carter stomped away on the hard wood floors, as Gabby bounced a miniature basketball in a way that would make her Daddy proud. I watched as Carter and then Evan got down on their hands and knees and followed Gabby in a crawling parade. I watched as they would share a secret and smile with one another, slightly envious that I wasn't privy to their inside jokes. I watched three sets of gorgeous big eyes stare in wonder as my Mother attempted to bounce a ball (make that four sets of eyes because I was in a state of wonder too!).

And all the time I watched, I was reminded that not too long ago, none of this seemed possible.

There was a time when I thought my only option would be to watch this merriment in somebody else's child's eyes. A time when I wondered if I would ever be a mother, cursing the possibilty of fate cruelly denying me the one thing I always envisioned myself being. Jodi and I have often remarked on how much everything has changed and how very lucky we truly are. We have both had the same worry that motherhood might not ever find us. I can say without any hesitation that those were the most desparate days of my life thusfar.

Then came Carter, Evan and Gabby.

And now, not only am I a mother, but I am equally blessed to be an aunt! How very lucky we all are to have these three amigos amongst us! To not only be able to watch them play together, but also watch them grow together. These three little kiddos have their entire lives ahead of them and I, for one, am so happy to be along for the ride!