At 7:02 pm on Tuesday 8th of January 2008, you popped into our lives and the second I saw you in your mother’s arms, I knew everything was different. The glow from everyone around you, the love bursting out of my heart in my first vision of you, my darling niece, everything indeed had changed for the better.

You are the greatest highlight for 2008, the shining light in our lives throughout the year. Watching you grow and develop has been a magic experience as you branch from clapping, to waving bye bye, to standing, to walking, to saying “mamamamamaaa”. To try and isolate a single moment with you is difficult, nay impossible but for want of a better one, I can’t help but think of the first time ever that you were trusted with me *gasp* alone.

Your mother, Kristy, needed to get petrol and she had stopped in to see if I was home, just in case. You needed some food and nappy attention, and once you had that, Kris dared to entrust your wellbeing with your Aunty Kim . Things started out well enough, we did some lifty up and make you fly play time which you enjoyed, but before too long my arms grew tired so you flopped on the couch next to me. You sat there and stared at me, I stared back. For a moment there was a glint of recognition, that though you couldn’t quite consciously place me, there was an embedded trust and knowing. Well, a trust until I lifted up your top and blew bubbles on your stomach at least.

Your Mum drove at the speed of light, got petrol, and returned within 10 minutes of leaving you with me and you were so happy to see her and I couldn’t help but notice the quiet relief in her eyes as she realised that you were safe, your clothes weren’t singed from any unfortunate stove incidents, that Aunty Kim hadn’t dropped you, nor introduced you to any sharp implements.

If later in life you should happen to take a keen interest in photography though, it’s not to be much of a surprise. Because one of the things you have developed over the year is a keen taste for my UV lens filter. The best thing about the UV lens filter is that it must taste good, because when you have a hold of it everyone can clearly see through it to witness your tongue smooshing up against it. It also sounds great when you grab Aunty Kims spare draw handle and bash the two together… *twitch*.

I sit now in the room beside you, as you peacefully sleep in your cot. My shirt is covered in drool, from where you rest your head to sleep. Several months later from when you were entrusted with me for 10 minutes you’ve been entrusted with me for a few hours. You’re a lot more dangerous now, you can move, boy can you move. We spent part of the night stalking the cats, both of us crawling together. Part of the night watching the wiggles, and part of the night playing “swoosh” around the house. When your Mum and Dad return I just know that they’ll check in on you, and probably have that same look of relief when they realise that Aunty Kim still hasn’t introduced you to any sharp implements.

I love you darling girl, thank you for joining us in 2008, I can’t wait to see what 2009 brings for you.

Tags: claire