Darla // maternity

I’m an only girl in my family. I have three brothers and growing up, I wanted nothing more than a sister. Then when I was older, I was so very glad that I didn’t have one. They seemed like a lot of work.

Many moon ago, Darla came into my life. She was this tiny little thing from Ministikwin (a Cree girl) who stood under TK’s arm like she was made for him, yet bossed him around without him even knowing it. He was absolutely smitten.  He was hooked. Darla, she took a bit more convincing but it wasn’t long before they were throwing around cutesy “I love you’s” and cuddling everywhere.

Now, after one beautiful boy, Colton, and another on the way, I can say that this tiny, bossy woman from Ministikwin… is my sister. My family. I’m so thankful for the joy she brings into our lives, and especially, into my brother’s life. She’s the perfect fit for us, and for him, and Colton is the very best nephew a girl can ask for. I did her maternity photos way back when she was pregnant with Colton, and I love that I got the chance to do them again.

Since Colton had 4 years as being the baby of their family, and of ours, we had to prep him to be a big brother. Luckily, my brother Trent and his girlfriend had a baby girl and then my husband and I had our baby girl. So Colton had plenty of time to get used to the idea of sharing his “Mama” and “Papa” (Grandma and Grandpa) as well as being careful around babies, learning how to help us out and how to play with them.

When Darla and TK gave him the news, he was pretty excited. We were happy for him. Then one day, while Trent and I were sitting upstairs with our baby girls, Colton came in and just stared at us. He wasn’t smiling, he just kept looking back and forth between the two baby girls.

“Are you happy you’re going to be a big brother, Colton?” I asked, trying to distract him.

“Uh-huh,” he said, nodding.

“Well, whatchya doin?” I asked him. He still hadn’t moved and was staring at the baby girls pretty intensely.

“Mom and Dad said I was getting a baby,” he said. I nodded. He started to tap his chin. “So I’m deciding which baby I want.”

It took me a few seconds to realize that he was trying to decide if he wanted to bring home Baby Ava or Baby Aerie as his little baby.

So now we are in the process of waiting.

Waiting for the newest baby to make its appearance.

Waiting for our lives to change.

Waiting for TK and Darla to experience those sleepless nights (TK mocked me for having to get up every three hours… just he wait.)

TK and Darla are so ready for this.

Ready to expand their family, to share their lives with another little human.

This baby is already so loved.