My sister and niece are shortly to move down to Oxfordshire to move closer to her husband's work, so this was the last weekend we got to spend time together as a family for a while, and it meant that we spent the weekend as a family, and it was fantastic....(especially as I will also be moving to Manchester in the next few weeks as well! - something that I have mixed feelings about.....I can't wait to not have to spend four hours a day commuting, but have spent time in Manchester previously and have not taken to it massively and really love Hull)
Spending time as a family meant that there have been a lot of sitting around the table or in the garden soaking up the sun, talking, telling jokes, and remembering funny times and stories (most of which were highly embarrassing and usually centred around one or other of us doing stupid things often as the result of alcohol, or excessive sugar!) Whilst I am certainly going to miss my sister, I am also hugely going to miss my little four year old niece, who is such a hugely joyous part of our family.
Her arrival was something of a surprise. She arrived whilst I was living in Birkenhead, and my half-brother's ex-wife was pregnant (our family is seriously mixed up!!!!!) when I received a telephone call at about 6pm. I was just back from work and my Father telephoned to tell me that I was an uncle again...... (I already had 4 nephews and a niece, and my half-brother had separated from his wife and the child wasn't his so wasn't too bothered.......told you we were really mixed up!).....that went something along these lines!
"Great! Tell R...... and N....... I hope they are well!"
"No, it's not N...... it's B..... your sister!"
"Pardon? What the ******? How can she have had a baby? She's not even pregnant?"
"Seriously!"
"We saw her last weekend, she was definitely not pregnant......we went to the pub and everything!"
"Well she most definitely was as she's now at HRI with a little baby girl!"
"We'll be over next weekend!"
There really was no indication that she was pregnant, an even having been to a Dr that day she really had no idea (I know that this is the sort of thing that you read about in 'Hello' or 'OK' and think "yeah.....right......how can you not know?" but seriously there was no indication at all!) So very bravely my sister brought little niece into the world. She is truly remarkable. Now at 4 she is loves to dance and sing, has known most of the lyrics to "Mama Mia" for about a year and a half, and will take any opportunity to put on a show. She also loves to dance and if she isn't on the stage when she is older I will eat my hat......well maybe not, but she does have the temperament to be great on stage.
So this lil bundle of shock and confusion that arrived four years ago is a huge part of the whole family's life, who touches the life of everyone who meets her, and who is such a caring and loving little person, is shortly to move away, and I know that we will all miss her (although we will be visiting as often as possible!)
Nieces and nephews are the best. My nephew arrived 2 years ago, when I was not at the best place in my life, and he brought so much sunshine into everyone's lives and hearts.
ReplyDeleteFamilies are complicated, believe me! I actually work in Birkenhead but live in Chester. Going to Manchester this weekend for a girls night out, small world! Never been to Hull but have a good friend who lives there. Personally from what I've seen of Manchester, it's a fantastic place with so much going for it. Commuting is a real killer too. Go for it!x
aww it's hard being away from nieces and nephews; my three nevvies all live abroad and I miss them terribly, just like my sister misses my little one. Amazing for your sister though - I'm actually slightly jealous as I HATED being pregnant!
ReplyDeleteTo add to the weirdness (although I know KatyK from uni!) I am originally from Birkenhead and move to hull five years ago, and the hubby lived in manchester for a year before coming back to Hull. where abouts in Birkenhell did you live?
It has certainly been strange without the lil Niece around.
ReplyDeleteKaytK I hope that you enjoyed Manchester. I know it can be a great place for a night out.
Gemma it's such a small world. I did the alternative 5 years ago, moving from Hull to Birkenhead. I used to live at Priory Wharf, just off Castle Street and worked at Camp & Co on Europa Boulevard opposite the Pyramids. Loved Birkenhead, and loved being able to walk along the Mersey. Still remember nights out in Sherlocks! That was a real experience, that and Hotel California!