Josie Turns One!

I don't really have a very big family. There is just me, my parents and my two brothers here in Canada- all our other relatives live in England. Over the years as we have grown up and gotten married our family has expanded. I never had grandparents or cousins around when I was growing up. We did have a group of close friends, all also first generation immigrants, that become my "adopted" Aunts and Uncles.

One thing that I really enjoy is watching the interactions of our ever growing families. My girls have great relationships with my parents, we typically eat at at Mom and Dad's once a week. The girls will call up their Grandma just to chat, I speak to my mom daily and we take family vacations together. I am glad my girls get to have these experiences that I never did.

Another great thing about our extended family is the cousins! We have 6 granddaughters now in our family. My girls, Nicole 18, Katie 16 and brother Paul's daughter Jadyn 14- these 3 spent a lot of time together as they were growing up. My mom babysat them a couple of days a week and we did a lot of day trips and such together. My brother Adam is 8 years younger then me- he was my baby when we were growing up. When I started dating Shawn Adam was 10- we took him everywhere with us, Wonderland, the movies- it was great.

Now Adam is a grown man with a family of his own. Drea 4, Addie 3 and baby Josie who turned 1 on Thursday. I love having these girls around. They keep our family young, full of laughter and I get my baby fix in since I have a few years before grandchildren. It is fun to have them for Christmas and Halloween as these events can always use some childhood wonder and spirit. I love seeing my girls with their little cousins, all down on the floor rolling around. The girls are very proud of their cousins, love spending time with them, love how the girls scream when they see them, and love posing for silly pictures with them- they may be the most photographed kids on the planet!

Josie is my youngest niece. She is just about the happiest baby I have ever seen. I don't know if it is being the 3rd child or what but she very rarely cries, she laughs and giggles all the time. I was privileged to be present when Josie was born. I really wanted to see a birth from the other end so to speak and Teresa was comfortable enough- being the 3rd time maybe- to have me and her mother there when Josie was born. Other then my own girls she is the freshest baby I have ever seen. I think that is a special bond that I will always feel towards her.