Meeting my 7-year-old niece for the first time
TweetI’m a mother. A sister. A daughter. A sister-in-law. A cousin. A second cousin. A third cousin once removed. I’ve been a granddaughter and great-granddaughter.
But I’m not an aunt.
At least I wasn’t. Until just this weekend when my cousin Steve and his wife Colleen adopted their daughter Zinnia Louise-Yu. Even though I’m not technically an aunt, Steve and Colleen have graciously given me that title.
So now, I’m officially an aunt. Or, for Ms. Zinnia, or Yu Yu as she likes to be called, I’m Ayi Susan.
Last night we were lucky enough to have a Skype call with the new family.
The happy family: Colleen, Yu Yu and Steve
We were told that Yu Yu loves cats and dogs and I was hoping mine would hang around long enough to say hello. Athena sat behind us during our short conversation. Yu Yu saw her immediately. “Maow!” (That’s Mandarin for cat. Which confirms my belief that cats are self-centered, because they say “cat” a lot–in Mandarin.)
Calvin stopped by briefly, walking across my laptop keyboard. By then, Yu Yu (like any other 7-year-old) had disappeared from the screen and was on to the next big thing.
Calvin stopped by while we talked with the new parents.
Before they said goodbye, my cousin and his new daughter sang a duet of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. And I was lucky enough to record it. (Note: she’s wearing her Mama’s glasses, because. Glasses. I think she and Calvin have a lot in common.)
When my kids were young, I wrote a second verse to the song:
Shine on, shine on bright-lit moon
Morning sun will be here soon
Hiding there behind the trees
Shining down on earth and seas
Shine on, shine on bright-lit moon
Morning sun will be here soon
I can’t wait to teach it to my niece.
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Love your second verse to Twinkle, Twinkle. And Yu-Yu is quite adorable. Thanks for sharing both. Ho, ho, ho, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Thank you! I think I wrote that verse when one of my kids asked how come we only sang about the stars.
congrats two you Susan !! Yu Yu is adorable ♥
Yes she is! I’m so excited, and thrilled for my cousin and his wife!
Aw, Yu Yu is so cute…we’re glad you got to meet her, Aunt Susan. 🙂
Thanks. I can’t wait to meet her in person. Maybe I’ll get some hugs!
That is so awesome. We always hear about pet adoption, not humans!
I didn’t even think of it that way, but you’re right. Tons of happy all around.
COngratulations to your cousin and his wife! And to you, being an Auntie is a great joy.
Thank you! I am so thrilled to be an Auntie / Ayi / Aunt. I don’t care what I’m called as long as I have a niece or nephew to love and spoil.
OMD, that is just adorables!!!! She is the cutest shrunken peep EVERS!!!!
CONGRATS to your family!!!!
I thinks margaritas are in order…☺
Kisses,
Ruby ♥
Thank you. “Shrunken peep”: love it! Aren’t margaritas always in order?