Holly Would

Becoming An Auntie

I have always loved being around little kids; I think they’re hilarious. During sixth form I was a Maths and English tutor for school children and every week they had me in stitches, hearing about all of their little dramas and how losing their favourite pen was the end of the world. It was great; kids are great. 
As I’m one of the youngest in my family I never had any little siblings or cousins to look after at home, that’s why when my sister announced she was expecting a baby I could barely contain my excitement. 
In fact, I didn’t really contain my excitement. Everyone I spoke to was shown the baby scan photographs and told about my sister’s growing bump. I went a bit overboard with baby shopping, how could I possibly walk past shops displaying tiny little outfits without buying them? They were so small and cute; I was counting down the days until I could meet the new addition of my family.
I was going to be an auntie, which, I decided, was the most important job that I could possibly have. As we didn’t know the baby’s gender until it was born on October 12, it was referred to as ‘Dot’.

“He has his nanna’s toes, and his entire family’s undivided attention”

Being in the waiting room until visiting hours was the longest wait I’ve ever experienced. I would like to describe myself as a patient person… but if you speak to anyone that knows me they might disagree. I can’t even wait for next week’s episode of Eastenders without googling the spoilers online! 
The new and overjoyed father eventually came out and met my parents, brother and I with the news that we had been waiting for: “It’s a boy!!!” 
I had a nephew! A tiny little nephew: Baby Oscar, weighing 6lb 9oz. We peered into my sister’s hospital room; she was sat up in her bed with a look of complete contentment on her face and a little wriggly pink lump in her arms. 
He was beautiful and everyday becomes more so. When I got to hold him for the first time I couldn’t stop staring at him, how can anything be so perfect? He has his mother’s nose, his nanna’s toes, his father’s fair hair and his entire family’s undivided attention. 
He slept peacefully in my arms and didn’t cry or wake up even when he was passed around to every aunt, uncle, grandparent and great-grandparent eager for a cuddle. My little nephew doesn’t know it, but he’s changed all of our lives. 
In the weeks since he was born I’ve been lucky enough to see quite a lot of him and I’ve taken to auntie duties willingly. I don’t even mind changing the baby boy’s nappy, despite the constant risk that he’ll wee in my face. 
I am just totally in love with him. Welcome to the world Oscar.