Thankful for Nieces

This was an effortless "thankful" decision: I am thankful for my Nieces!

Em and Liv are the most amazing little people I know. It has been a wonderful gift to be able to watch them grow since the day they were born. Both of them had a distinct personality from day one, that has only strengthened over the years.

Em has the exact same smile she did in her 6 month pictures, which I'm looking at right now. Em is really just a "mini Me" of her dad, Bryan (minus the goatee!). She has a HUGE personality and loves to TALK TALK TALK, just like her Aunt Meg. She has always been a very happy little girl, with a big imagination. She loves to read and will wake me up at 6 in the morning to read books together. She is a cuddly kid, which you know I adore. She loves to give hugs and kisses. She is very inquisitive. When she was less than 2 years old, and I would visit without Gregg (he would be working), she would walk around the house, looking behind doors, saying "Where HE??" She holds the phone between her ear and shoulder, just like Grandma, when talking. She loves to look grownup and do grownup things. Makeup is really big now and she HAS to watch me put mine on and help me along the way. She loves lip gloss (ie: Burts Bees "chapstick") and jewelry. She thinks if you are dressed alike, then you are "twins" and so she picks out outfits so "we be twin now Aunt May!" My biggest joy is talking with her when we are alone. She shares her hopes and dreams, although she doesn't call them that. She likes to tell me secrets and says we have a "best friends club." She is THE BEST!

Liv is fanastic, but VERY different from Em. She was a very fussy baby, and only wanted mom. She still, at 23 months, wants to be held all the time. She is very small, and has developed defense mechanisms because of that -- she pinches like a 4 lbs lobster. Seriously, this girl can break the skin! She also pulls hair. I think this started because others her age and younger are so much bigger than she is, she didn't like getting "pushed around" by rough toddler play. Now, boys 1/2 her age run away from her. It's kinda funny, but I try hard not to laugh. Liv has the lungs of an Olympic swimmer, but has a sweet side as well. She LOVES to play hide & seek, and it's best when she is hiding. She goes into her closet (2 door frames but no actual doors), and peeks out with her "Ta -DA!" grin big as can be! She doesn't like to snuggle, but will still "root" on your shoulder when she is tired. Her laugh is hilarious and she will laugh any anything and everything, because it gets others laughing. She gets very excited and proud of herself when she completes certain tasks. Its so amazing to watch this tiny creature with a huge spirit.

My girls are an absolute joy. I could not, repeat, COULD NOT have survived these past few years of infertility and adoption paperwork without them. They are super excited about "new little baby" and are preparing to play with him/her. Liv is excited to finally have someone smaller than her around! I am so Thankful my sister became a parent first, and allowed me to be such a big part of her family's life. I'm so grateful my nieces have taught me about aunthood and parenthood and cannot wait until their cousin comes home!