Cousins

I've been thinking about cousins this past week, and I think they are really, REALLY important.

When I found out I was pregnant last fall, Ty and Michelle were newly engaged.  I would remind them that my coming baby was going to be that awkward oldest cousin that doesn't have anyone near their age (and doesn't have anyone to play with at family gatherings) UNLESS, they did something about it.  Well, they've done something about it and although I've only verbally teased Ty and Michelle about having babies, I'm very excited for all of my family to continue having children.

I grew up with a lot of cousins.  My mom is one of ten and my dad is one of six.  With that kind of fertility coming from both sides, I'm a thoroughbred baby-making-machine.  Well, I think.  I've only proven myself once...

I'm getting off topic.  That IS NOT where I meant for this blog to go.

What I really want to say is that I am so grateful for cousins.  They have made my life richer, and I can chalk up some of my happiest moments on this Earth to my cousins.

My cousin Haley and I are only a few months apart.  We didn't grow up in the same town and actually lived about 3 hours away from each other, but we got to see each other pretty regularly.  I think her mom (my Aunt Marcia) is mostly to thank for that.  Haley is an only child.  I think Aunt Marcia felt it was important for Haley to be around family and so they kept their family dentist in my hometown.  They also came to my hometown when it was time for their truck to get new tires and they spent a majority of holidays in my hometown.

Haley and I had a great childhood together.  I coveted her Lisa Frank trapper keeper (the one with the cow wearing sunglasses).  She coveted my family's dinners where we sat around the table and had to pass the mashed potatoes.  I wondered how wonderful it would be to have my own room.  She wished for a sister to share her room with.  I wanted to try being an only child so I could have hot lunch all the time.  She wanted my cold lunches full of leftovers.  Looking back on us, I think we balanced each other out quite nicely.

When Haley got married, she made me promise that once she started having kids, I would be their aunt and my kids would be their cousins.  No promise was necessary.  I already thought of her as a sister and I already think of her future babies as mine.  Hands down, Haley was the MOST excited person for me when I found out I was pregnant.  Well... hands down tied with my mom and Ray.  As soon as she found out she started making a quilt for this baby.  The fabric was boy colors so between she and Ray, they willed Levin to be a boy.

Her quilt came in the mail last week and I have been staring at it since.  It is so beautiful and the love it was made with is tangibly seeping out of it.  I see it and get the strongest feelings of gratitude that Levin is loved so much by her.







I'm becoming really attached to it too.  I'm afraid Levin, you'll only get this quilt someday when you pry it out of my cold, dead fingers.


Comments

Oh my goodness. That quilt is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. One of the things I love most about Haley is her laugh and how quick she is to use it. She is also generous. She made you a quilt, she moved Grace to Colorado, and she took care of Ande at school -- all in the same year. Yes, in short, she's wonderful.
hennchix said…
Wow!! That is a fabulously amazingly wonderfully beautiful quilt!! And I don't know who that baby is but he is pretty darn adorable as well!! Whoever is letting him grow so fast should be brought up on charges of being a fantastic mother!!:). Happy Wednesday Callie!!
Ande said…
Haley really is a great cousin. I got to ooh and ahh over the fabric when she bought it and was there when she found the pattern and she was SO excited. I'm glad Levin has REALLY great aunts! It's a great quilt Haley!
Liberty said…
That IS beautiful!! You and Haley seem to be pros at making quilts my goodness!! I can't get over how cute Levin is I keep telling myself not to expect a pretty baby hahaa.
Anonymous said…
Cali, your posts have been so witty and cute. being a mama, agrees with you! And that little Levin is so adorable! And that quilt is amazing. I love it. Daishan
Rachel said…
I've thought Levin was totally Cali's baby, until the first baby picture on this post. Those eyes and that look are ALL Ray! So, so, so, so, so, SO cute. And Haley's quilt is beautiful (especially on that 'I'm oh so jealous' brown leather chair
Tina said…
It is an amazingly beautiful quilt!! Love it!
Charity said…
I love even more that this quilt line is titled "pure." Just like Levin. Congratulations on that beautiful baby boy. What a priceless and wonderful gift.

Charity

P.S. I'd probably steal it too.
Marcia said…
Cali, you are so right about cousins. Where would Haley be without them? I laugh thinking about the two or you together. We have loved reading the blog and looking for Waldo (Levin). We love him every day. This was a sweet tribute to the quilt. (Please note that Ryan and I feel we slso did our part: we listened to every decision, showed proper agony with every mistake, sighed appropriately during the binding, and oohed and aaahed upon its completion. We successfully survived Haley's first quilt:)
mommar said…
My heck girl! That baby AND quilt are both gorgeous! He is such a good mix of you and Ray. Give him lots of lovin'! And Haley, where did you find that quilt pattern (share the info here)? Love it

Charlotte