…things will be a lot different at my sister’s house. Anyone who walks into their house can see things have already started to change, the decor is rightfully turning from contemporary chic to baby items galore. The spare bedroom in their house has meaning now, painted the perfect shade of blue, blankets and stuffed animals picked out for him, a crib waiting to be slept in, a chair waiting to rock him.

I don’t think my sister has left one stone unturned, one thing left on her list not checked off…or will be checked off very soon. She’s ready, waiting, expecting and also I can see not trying to form expectations. Yes…things are going to change. My sis with her beautiful hair and flawless face, will still be beautiful and flawless, but she’ll carry herself differently…a little more tired, a little more frazzled, maybe a little more flawed and a lot more beautiful.  My very cool brother in law will still be cool, but in the “I carry a diaper bag and I’m proud of it” kind of cool. Gaming will be done with a baby on his lap, he’ll learn to make lunch one handed.

No one can truly tell them what is going to happen. Believe me, I’ve tried! They know all the stories, all the advice, they’ve gone to classes and read books, sis and I have talked for hours and hours, but all of that won’t replace what is going to happen the day he is born. Labor…she’ll finally have her story to share. The first time they walk through their front door, a family….did they really let us take him home?? and what do we do with him now?? That first night…and the sacrifices that will follow that don’t really feel like sacrifices, just natural acts of love.

We get the privilege, those of us who surround them, to witness a beautiful transformation. One guy…one girl…who love with an everlasting love…transform into parents, a family. Life won’t ever be the same, in a wonderful, amazing way.

Love you guys…can’t wait for Ethan to arrive…more photos to come later.

When Fall rolls around I’ll be an Auntie again. I’m so excited. I always wondered what my sister would be like when she was expecting. She’s beautiful, glowing, confident, patient…did I say beautiful? She’ll be a great mom, just wonderful. She’s amazing with my kids, they have a bond with her that runs so deep. I want that with my new baby nephew. I want to be the Aunt that he goes to for gum on Sunday mornings, I want him to know that our house is always open to him and for he & my kids to grow up like siblings. But until then, he’s snuggled safe inside his mama, growing and forming. He has no clue what’s waiting for him on the other side…a whole lotta’love.