Guest Post: Kassi from Truly Lovely

I have my wonderful sponsor Kassi sharing on the blog today! She blogs over at Truly Lovely (along with her sister) about whatever they love! It may be recipes, fashion, tutorial, or something else they enjoy doing! Today Kassi writes about being an aunt and things all aunts should know! Enjoy and pop on over to say hello! 

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Well hey hey there lovelies!!!

Kassi from Truly Lovely here! I am SO excited to be guest posting for Kassie today... She's become one of my newest favorites... for fun reasons (like the fact that we have the same name) and for content reasons (I'm excited to read her posts about the upcoming addition of little Maeva!).

So, my sister and I blog over at Truly Lovely about well... whatever we want. That's my blog mantra these days! If I don't enjoy writing about it, trying it out, or doing it... It will NOT be gracing the pages of our blog!! Same goes for guests posts like this one! So today I'm here to talk to you about something I enjoy incredibly and take very seriously....

Being an aunt!

You see, I have been an aunt for several years. My oldest niece is already 10 years old!! She's been around for nearly 40% of my entire lifetime!!! {Yeah, I had to get a calculator out to get that number for you... math is not a strong point. ;)}

So... here's three things that I think (as a seasoned aunt myself) every aunt/uncle should know!!

1. Keep a box/basket/container of some sort full of cheap toys on hand at your own house!

Don't mind the wild hair... Chefs like little miss here, tend to get pretty intense when they're cooking! ;)

You see, little nieces and nephews NEED something to entertain themselves... If you don't have some fun toys on hand (like the $5 cupcake set shown above) little ones tend to find ways to entertain themselves... Including, but not limited to, playing refrigerator with the pretty display cabinet of ceramic vases that you foolishly left within reach... Just sayin'... ;)

2. Mac and cheese! I promise you that a box or two of good ol' mac and cheese will go a long, long way in making a hungry niece or nephew happy!! Regardless of your sweet cooking skills just. make. mac and cheese! Have you seen No Reservations where the aunt makes the niece duck for lunch.... Exactly.

3. It's ok to let them make messes! Kids are messy. Little girls like nail polish. Little boys like dirt. Let them make their messes while they're little and later they'll come to you with their more grown up messes... like boys/girls... You know, those things they couldn't possibly share with their mom. ;)

So, to sum it up, I absolutely love being an aunt! :) What's that saying...? Being an aunt is awesome because you can spoil them rotten, love them like crazy, then send them home to their mom and dad. ;) heehee.

Thanks so much to Kassie for letting me share with you lovelies! Hope you'll stop by Truly Lovely and say hello sometime!

A guest post by Jenn from My Not So Glamorous Life

I'm super excited to have Jenn, from My {Not So} Glamorous Life guest posting today. When I opened her email there were words I didn't expect to see. I'm going to have my sweet baby girl in 6 days and these words, exactly what I needed to read. Touched my heart and made me sob at the computer because this is so my struggle and this gave me hope. So enough of my jabbering, read on!
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Hi there! I'm Jenn, and I write over at My {Not So} Glamorous Life. Today I have the privilege of guest posting for Kassie, and I am simply honored that she would invite me into her space! Anyone that has been following Kassie for a while knows that she is welcoming her 2nd child into the world. I'm so happy for her and her family, because children are such a blessing. (I have three of my own!)

I remember when I was carrying my 2nd child (he's a big five year old now, starting kinder). I was so filled with joy, and happy anticipation.But every pregnant woman can tell you, there's a lot more than that in the realm of emotions. So many ups and downs, and self doubts, and nervousness for the future. And for the well being of your older child as well. "Will he/she still feel loved?", "Will I be able to love both of them the same amount?", "How is this going to change things?"... Those are some of the things that went through my head while I was expecting my 2nd child.Then, one day, I stumbled across this lovely piece of writing. After reading this, it felt as if a weight had been lifted. I was completely at peace, as I knew that both of my children would have carved their own, perfect niche into my heart. As far as I know, this is an anonymous writing:

As I hold your 2-year-old hand, basking in the glow of our magical relationship, I suddenly feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited.
And I wonder: How could I ever love another child as I love you?
Then he is born, and I watch you. I watch the pain you feel at having to share me, as you've never shared me before.
I hear you telling me in your own way, "Please love only me."
And I hear myself telling you in mine, "I can't," knowing, in fact, that I never can again.
You cry. I cry with you.
I almost see our new baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared.
A relationship we can never quite have again.
But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being, and feeling almost guilty.
I'm afraid to let you see me enjoying him. -- as though I am betraying you.
But then I notice your resentment change, first to curiosity, then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection.
More days pass, and we are settling into a new routine.
The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast. But something else is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just we two.
There are new times -- only now, we are three.
I watch the love between you grow, the way you look at each other, touch each other.
I watch how he adores you -- as I have for so long.
I see how excited you are by each of his new accomplishments.
And I begin to realize that I haven't taken something from you, I've given something to you.
I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you.
I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong.
And my question is finally answered, to my amazement...
Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you-- only differently.
And although I realize that you may have to share my time, I now know you'll never share my love.
There's enough of that for both of you -- you each have your own supply. I love you -- both and I thank you both for blessing my life."

I have shared this piece of writing many times, because I think that it's something that mom's should recognize and embrace. I don't think that the natural feelings that occur with a 2nd child are something that many of us care to acknowledge, but it is my hope that anybody who is preparing to share their heart with a new little person will be able to do so with the least amount of worry, and with a peaceful and joyous heart.
Thank you for letting me share this favorite with you!
Best Wishes,
Jenn