Sibling Love (and no, I'm not pregnant)

We're going to be talkin' about this gal today!

(picture circa this summer when I told everyone to make

a "hard core face" obviously we are real hard core)

Before Max was born, I worried pretty consistently about how bringing a new baby into the world would alter my relationships with people (among many other things - see, never sleeping in again, my house being overrun with toys, and raising a teenage boy just to name a few). But most specifically, how it would change my relationship with my own sister. Other than Rob, she is the person I see the most, text with the most, and generally just want to hang out with all the time. We would hit movies, occasionally work out, craft together, lounge on the weekends, text every day, and no sooner than we would wrap up one fun time - be planning for the next. 

(Auntie Stacy and Max's first days together)

 

Now, the fact that I was worrying will come as no surprise to anyone. But I'm finding more and more that I shouldn't have worried at all. If anything - Max coming into the world, has made our relationship even better.  I'm finding that with a little bit of planning - we can still do all the things we used too.  (Actually the planning part is true with most things post baby...but hang with me here)

(Best Buddies!)

 

If we want to hit a movie, she just comes over, has dinner with us and then we go to the movie after Max goes to sleep (because Papa Rob is also amazing at making sure we get some sister time). And crafting?  Believe it or not, I'm making a quilt for Max! What? I know! But, Auntie Stacy let's me come over on the occasional Friday (after we put Max down for the night) and we hustle with the cutting, sewing, more sewing, and piecing that needs to happen.  She is literally helping make my Pinterest dreams come true! But, dear blog readers, it doesn't even stop there.  She is willing to meet us for long walks (with Max in the stroller), scoped out playgrounds near her house, shoe shopped with us, cooked us dinner, and talked me off the crazy wall more times than I care to admit.

 

To be honest, with Max on the scene, I think she wants to see us more.  Fine by the Haucks!  Even Rob asks, "is Stacy coming over tonight?".  We just love it so much. She is like a marriage counselor, toddler whisper, family chef, fashion consultant, boss lady...all wrapped in one. It's no joke when I say to people - "everyone needs an Auntie Stacy".   But don't even think about trying to steal ours!

 (Don't steal our Auntie Stacy or you might get punched!)
 

Who else would buy "stickies" and color on the floor with Max?

 

Who else would sit next to us on the airplane flight to and from Florida while Max climbs here there and everywhere?  And download an episode of Peppa the Pig for Max on her own I-Pad?

 

Who else would know the perfect book to pick for Max?  It's called "Big Green Monster" by the way.  And he loved it so much that he ripped nearly every page and demanded it over and over for days at a time?

 

Who else would come over for trick or treat...be part of our crazy costume.....and

then stick around the answer the door for possible trick or treaters while you put your own trick or treater to bed for the night?

 

 

Who else would remind us constantly that we probably need to bring the diaper bag? (Why we are 18 months into this parenting thing and still forgetting the diaper bag is kind of embarrassing)

 

Who else would offer to babysit just because so Rob and I could have a night out?

 

Who else would continue to love me even when I am the biggest butthole ever and when I say the stupidest things and make snap judgements?  (well, Rob would, but he VOWED to forever and ever).

 

The answer is obviously Auntie Stacy.  And while she is in Mexico living it up right now (you know, as much as you can when traveling with your parents and 92 year old grandpa) - we are missing her big time. One thing I worry about a lot now is - what if Max is an only child? Will he hate us forever (according to my own mother, yes). But moreover, I already know he will miss this amazing gift that is a sibling.  What to do? What to do? Obviously only time (and the money tree seeds taking off) will tell.  Until then, we will continue to enjoy our Auntie Stacy and realize how truly lucky we are.

 

XoXo