Here they are ….. well, were, about 6 weeks ago, I think. BB is 4 months old this week. B is four. We visited yesterday afternoon, and I have to say, that BB is completely crushing on Uncle Beloved which is so nice to see. My sister’s kids — who all adore their uncle now — screamed bloody murder whenever he came near them for about the first year of their lives. So I held BB for a bit first and she was kinda squirmy, fussy, etc. Then I asked MB if he wanted to hold her and he hesitated a bit, saying, “Well, I don’t want her to start screaming.” (He is clearly a haunted soul, poor man.) But I handed her over and — KABAM! — I’m telling you, that kid was instantly in love with him. Snuggled right up to him and couldn’t stop staring at him. I know the feeling. It’s a bit poignant for us, because with her coloring — dark hair, blue eyes, pale skin, very red cheeks — she could be MB’s kid. She looks so much like baby photos of him. Even her parents were commenting on that. MB said, “Maybe we have a connection because we have the same birthday.” Must be. There was definitely some kind of magic between those two. My heart was bursting from the bittersweetness of it all.
After we were done ogling and clucking over the baby, The Banshee needed to show us how well she reads and writes. Yes, she reads and writes. She’s four. Whatevs. Then it was time in her play kitchen where she made coffee “just for you, Tee Tee” and cooked whole eggs and banana peels in her oven at 475 degrees. Yummy. Then it was time for chasin’ and ticklin’. As I came after her, she ran away screaming and jumping and tried to save herself with “But you’re a wizard, Tee Tee!”
“Good! I’m a tickle wizard! How did you know?”
“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”
She sprinted for the safety of the sofa. But …. it was too late. I was closing in on her. She squirmed and squealed, “But, Tee Tee, you can’t be that! Wizards turn things into other things with magic!”
(See how she likes to argue her case? Be contrarian at all times? She is The Banshee, Attorney-at Law. The Banshee, Esq.)
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah!”
“Well, then ….. watch closely.”
I was inches from her face now and began to blow very gently on her face.
“Feel that?”
“Uh-huhhh.”
Somehow my blowing froze her in place. (I AM a wizard.) I continued to talk softly, blowing in between words.
“Now watch …… as my breath turns into ……”
I kissed her on the cheek.
“…. a kiss. See? Magic.”
She stared at me, silent and big-eyed and smiling a slow, skeptical smile, wondering if it could actually be true: Did Tee Tee the Tickle Wizard truly vanquish The Banshee with one little kiss?
Bah. Impossible.
Ack! The cutest banshees ever. 🙂
She made coffee for you! How does she rate as a barista?
Kate P — Well, it came from the bottom of a clear plastic pot with a layer of “coffee” trapped inside the plastic. So, you know, I think it was a little old, honestly. But we’ll bring her up to snuff in no time, I’m sure.
OMG! Must. Munch. Baby. Cheeks!!!!
I adore the hair!
They are precious!!!
Lisa — It’s true. The cheeks are basically irresistible. I realized when I saw her the other day that I could become seriously OCD about squeezing her cheeks.
Kathi — Yeah, her hair is SO dark. We’re all amazed. Dad’s hair is blond; mom’s hair is medium brown. Maybe some gene came through from her Pop Pop, my dark-haired dad.
Do you enjoy making me tear up at my desk? It’s getting awfully dusty over here.
NF — Aww.
Oh my goodness, just look at that banshee baby! How cute…all that hair, and those cheeks. What does The Banshee think of her litttle sis?
Olga — Well, she seems to like her okay. She hasn’t tried to smother her yet, like my sister did with me. So I’ve heard. 😉