Things I have learned from my niece:
I didn’t need to worry about her not liking my dog. Within 5 minutes of her arrival she was running laps around the kitchen island ecstatically yelling “I LOVE CHLOE! I LOVE CHLOE!” After their initial interest in eachother, they have adopted a policy of mutual indifference, broken only when Erin eats her morning toast, of which Chloe gets half.
Logical-mathematical intelligence runs in the family. Erin is 2 and a half and does 5+ puzzles. We’re talking about puzzles with 55 almost adult sized pieces. This is an early sign of the geeky egg-headedness displayed by bother her father and her aunt (me) - early indicators point to a career in computer engineering, rocket science, or moving stickers from one sheet of paper to another.
She is easily brainwashed. This is evidenced by the fact that she never fails to call me “Cool Aunt Ree,” and can give a thumbs-up on cue.
All children everywhere like Bamba.
She has an uncanny ability to pick out the most inappropriate thing from an adult conversation and repeat it endlessly. We discovered this at breakfast one day when she learned the phrase “you mock me.” This has become her favorite thing to say, and I’m pretty sure this is going to get her in trouble with her parents someday.
Anything fun that you do, say, or draw must be repeated again and again and again ad infinitum. This is an unbreakable rule.
Diapers lose their efficiency after 16 hours.
It is often better not to ask questions. Almost any question directed at Erin regarding the use of her toys gets a “no,” though she doesn’t actually seem to mind if you just commandeer them. Unless she suddenly decides that she’d rather be playing with said item - which usually happens whenever she begins to think that you might be having fun with it.
Being adorable, intelligent, and funny gets you everywhere with grandma (and everyone else too).
I want to take this opportunity to announce to my cyber audience a few of the things I love about my dad. Dad is exceedingly punctual - better a half an hour early than 2 minutes late. He is intelligent, kind, and fun to be with. He speaks Italian (and, sometimes, real Italians understand him!). He loves literature and good books - especially Modern Library ones. He has impeccable taste in music, and raised his children on a steady diet of Jazz and Blues. He is a great cook, and knows the value of a good nap (clearly a trait that he passed on to his daughter). He is patient, loves science, and actively works for what he believes in. He looks fabulous in a turtleneck. He is outgoing and friendly. He enjoys hiking and camping - sand, snow, forest, wherever. He is a skilled woodworker. I love to hear my Dad laugh, and I’m often surprised at the things that make him laugh (UHF and The Gods Must Be Crazy, for example). He wore the horrible 12 foot-long rainbow striped scarf I knitted him when I was 13. Really, theres so much that I appreciate about my Dad - obviously I can’t write it all here (or even put it all in words), but I just wanted to say that I will never stop thanking the Lord for my Dad. I love you a bushel and a peck….