I took the morning shift to look after Talen while Guy and Tania were at the hospital following the arrival of my new nephew. It was an exciting time. Talen, still in his pajamas jumped in my arms and gave me the big squeeze hug I had taught him…”both arms and both legs.”
We prepared breakfast together all the while discussing what would his brother look like? Would have red hair or blue eyes like Tal. Would he have long legs or short legs. It was pointed out to me that he couldn’t be long because he had to fit in Mummy’s tummy and that he was probably about the size of a basketball when rolled up.
Talen was convinced his brother would look funny. He didn’t think he would have red hair and didn’t really care about what color eyes he would have. To be honest he was more interested in teaching me how to play his favorite video game while proudly announcing his brother would never be able to play it. ..”as good as him”.
I remember nine months earlier when they shared that Tania was pregnant again. It was Tal who got to break the news. I had joined them for dinner on a Friday night and we were eating Thai takeout. Tania asked Talen ‘have you told Aunty Tan who is coming to live with us in a few months?’ Talen proudly announced ‘my new brother.’ And he was genuinely excited.
Now the day has arrived and ambivalence was definitely creeping in.
We persevered with breakfast. I was determined he was to eat two pieces of Weetbix and some toast. My encouragement included how he has to be big and strong for his new brother. He didn’t seem to buy into that – but was happy to be big and strong for himself.
We dressed for pre-school and then sat down so he could teach me how to play the online game. He is 4 years old and I am 47 and he had the patience of a saint. Made me wonder later why he can be so patient teaching me how to play an electronics game and yet lose it in 3 seconds trying on his shoes (on the wrong feet).
That said, there were times he would get exasperated and is was evident with the phrase ..’no Aunty Tan, you didn’t listen….watch me again!’.
It was now 8.30am and thirty minutes had passed playing the game when my brother came home. Talen jumped up squealing with excitement and I could see the tears in my brother’s eyes. We hugged tightly and he was so happy, relieved and proud…another boy. And he was healthy and Tania was doing fine.
Guy ran me through the details – Reily Kai March was born at 3.41am, soft blonde – red hair (yes), all fingers and toes, blue eyes (yes) – healthy and perfect. Tania was a warrior. I couldn’t wait to meet him.
I remember asking Tania while she was pregnant how she felt about having another boy (knowing they were stopping at 2 kids). She was happy and naturally wanted a healthy baby and she was honest and one this she did share was that she wanted to ensure as her boys grew, they would remember birthdays, Mothers Day and Fathers Day. I promised her that as their Aunty, I would ensure they remember, regardless of their age.
Guy and I walked Talen to preschool and then grabbed a coffee. I told him I would wait until tomorrow to visit Tania and Reily so they could enjoy some rest – despite dying to get to the hospital to see them both.
The following afternoon I was at the hospital. Like all the others, Reily was perfect. His features were slightly finer than Talen. Mum was there as well so I waited patiently for my turn to hold him. And when it came, I laid him down and unwrapped him. My tradition with all the kids. He was long, pale skin and blonde-red fuzz. When I held him up, he treated us to that perfect new born scrunch!
And that scrunch was a heart winner …and that become Reily’s mode of operandi as he grew.
A wry smile as his bounced in his baby chair, big toothless smiles as he was fed – either behind the milk bottle as he was nursed as a baby or as he grew, sitting in his high chair, cocking his head to one side with a side smile and food oozing out.
All I knew in the first few months, was Reily was going to be a force to be reckoned with. From Day one, he knew how to turn on the charm to win over the hearts of those around him. He had the charismatic gene ….and no doubt he was going to be a great member to the gang of 5.
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