On Saturday, I gathered some of my sisters and all my daughters together in our Vancouver apartment for something vaguely related to the old-school baby shower. There was much wine and some decent cheeses and other yummy snacks, some ogling of the pregnant belly, and a decibel level to rival heavy metal! We are not a quiet clan. Above is the belly in question, that of my eldest, standing with her aunt, my little sister Kathy (who just trimmed off three dress sizes training for, and completing, a marathon). I was 15 when Kathy was born, only 23 when I had B, so they’re as much like sisters or cousins as aunts, really — of my other attending sisters, none were over 15 when B was born.
Here’s my next youngest sister, Hilary, also a marathoner (she did Boston last spring).
Rachel, in white, runs half-marathons and 10Ks, is always training and very buff — we were all impressed with the results of the weights she’s been doing lately! And Leona skies through the winter and runs after her two teenaged sons.
And here’s the next generation — my middle daughter, R, who may not love me so much after seeing that this is the best photo I got of a normally-very-photogenic young woman. Sorry, sweetie!
Below is M, modelling her gift for B, a gorgeously embroidered hemp/linen baby sling. Her aunts were teasing her and B that she’d probably tested it out with Henry; she protested that she’d never do that with a gift; B laughed that she’d have to wash it now ’cause she’d never be sure otherwise; and they decided that if it was going to be washed anyway . . .
And the next generation of another branch, here’s my niece apparently being teased by her mom (her mom’s face in this picture reminds me of a photo I have somewhere of her, age 3 or 4)
And one of her on her own, just being her gorgeous self!
Speaking of gorgeous — how dramatically fabulous is that hair! Meg blogs about her adventures in cooking and life over here. She’s busy, below, whipping up some delicious naam bread to scoop up the caramelized onions she brought over along with a spicy sambal.
It was such a fun afternoon that I wonder why I don’t try doing it several times a year (well, okay, I wouldn’t try to get the belly action going that often, but you know what I mean). Do you have any favourite ways to spend time with the great women in your family? Or is yours a bickering tribe? Or just a wee one? Or have you created your own family of female friends — the family you can choose? (I do think I’m spectacularly lucky although we’ve certainly had our squabbles).
The women of my in-law family, if you’re a teenager and up, spend a girls only week at the house in Hilton Head SC every summer. They are much more my own sisters than my birth sister is, and I enjoy their company. It’s very relaxing – we eat a lot of salads, go out every night, read, take naps, and usually do a group craft. And of course we solve all the world’s problem.
The best Women’s Moments in my own family have always been at the sink, doing dishes, after a big family dinner. Happy times!
There is no doubt that you are all related. You have GORGEOUS children and they all look like you( save adorable Henry;-). It looks like you all had a lovely time. And, as an only child without my own kidaroos, I agree that you are spectacularly lucky.xo
What a gorgeous clan, both generations! You are so very lucky. I have no sisters, and 2 sons. However, I do have two dear friends whom I have known for 30 and 25 years respectively. I cherish them, especially after my last trip home – they looked after me whilst I was trying to come to grips with my mum’s illness. There’s nothing quite like female friendship! Patricia
I’m glad your family holds showers and not, say, revolutionary marches, because it’s rather obvious that should you decide to you could rule the world…or at least subjugate all men.
MM: Wow! A whole week — sounds wonderful. And how lucky you are to have found such closeness among your in-laws; that’s not always (often?) the case.
Have to say I’m not on board with the dish-washing, although I do remember that camaraderie from when I was growing up. . . on Sunday, Pater did the dishes! He’s such a gem.
LBR: Thanks, and hugs and kisses back (xo) — I know I’m lucky — wish it were a luck more easily shared.
Patricia: Friends — family that you choose! And female friends are worth cherishing, as you say. Is your mum’s illness quite recent? Were you just back home? I’m glad you have the support of friends for that.
Thomas: We are a force to be reckoned with, but so far a friendly one, showers only for now, revolutionary marches only if absolutely necessary . . . 😉
To answer your question – her illness was diagnosed about a year ago. I’ve been over 3 times now, the last time in September, when she was in hospital. We all plan to go at Christmas for a week. Luckily social services are quite good, once they get their act into gear. Right now she is at home and fairly comfortable. P.
What fun to see these photos and “meet” your other daughters and nieces! Megan looks soooo happy!
Quelle belle famille, vous ètes réellement comblée ma chère. Bravo les filles!
Orane
Patricia: That’s really tough and I’m sure the distance makes it tougher. I’m glad that at least you have much support. bon courage.
Duchesse: doesn’t she?! She never realizes quite how much she’ll miss us until she’s away, but then she really appreciates us when she’s back home.
Orane: Merci! et oui, absolument, bravo les filles!
Mater, so enjoyed this post. Thanks for sharing such a fun event. I love the baby sling! The girls are all so great-looking.
AAAWWWWWW.
I love the picture of Rhi alone.
… and the one of “baby” Henry
This looks like such a happy time, thank-you so much for sharing it. There is nothing quite like sisters (the collected or family kind) and spending time with them.
What fun, and what a lovely family you have!
You have a beautiful family. You are so very lucky. Both my parents and all grandparents are gone, and I have no siblings. I feel like an orphan.
That is a beautiful sling. I have never seen one like that. I had one that I loved, but let someone borrow and never got it back, but it wasn’t that lovely.
Thanks for sharing, these pictures made me feel happy!
Thanks, Karen, Cybill, and Pseu.
Julianne and Karen — isn’t it a gorgeous sling! cost a silly amount apparently, but these almost-aunts are going to be rather doting aunts and are just getting started . . .
and Julianne, I do know I’m very fortunate — I suspect you’ve looked after your inner orphan by surrounding her with friends, though 😉
Yes the are a bevy of beauties indeed. I envy those wide smiles. We too are an all female clan 3 generations now, for the main I barely notice until we hook up with some cousins, a pinch of testosterone makes the girls far less gregarious and more ‘motherly’
I’m loving all these wonderful curls. But alas, as an only child and an orphan (cue the violins), I don’t have generations to look back to, but am looking ahead with my two darling lassies (and one laddie).
Miss C: You’re like Julianne, above, then, and I bet you’re loving watching your next generation interact — the whole sibling thing can be fascinating (I have a laddie as well as my 3 lassies).
great to see the pictures of your sisters (who I’ve heard about but never met). What a gorgeous tribe of women!
alison: I’ve never met or seen pictures of yours either — maybe I’ll get you to show me some when you’re back next year (such a long way away!)