Ricci's Anielle- a tribute!

Alright, this is about the greatest Auntie in the world--- but she just so happens to be the greatest Aunite first and foremost in Ricci's world! I am referring to my sister, the lovely, "Anielle."

I mentioned in blog #1 that Ricci is entertaining, he tap dances, (to amuse others, not in a class), he does animal sounds, he scripts daily actions, "Mommy, you say 'oh no!' and then acts out something warranting an "oh no," then "Mommy, tell me 'no tiger, you cannot do such and such..." and so on it goes. He also stays in character for quite awhile, and even better than watching Ricci, is watching Ricci and the greatest auntie in the world, "Anielle" interact together.

And scene: Ricci runs up to GAITW( Greatest Auntie in the world- for those of you who needed the explanation), and busts out with spontaneous "kung fu"-like moves. He shouts something like, "I will get you!"
GAITW: eyes like dinner plates feigns surprise and fear!
Ricci: Anielle, look at my moves
GAITW: (again humongous eyes but voice monotone and dry, dry, dry): Oh, there you go, oh, whoah, hmm... oh there you go that was pretty sweet.
Ricci pleased busts out with even more moves.
GAITW: maintains giant eyes still...

So to put it to you, GAITW gets Ricci! She does because she is like his second mother, and I think might love him about that way, and it shows. The night Ricci joined us, Anielle was right there sleeping in the hospital room next to us in that crummy chair-like bed. Uncomfortable, sharing the lame bathroom, keeping me company. From that moment on, Anielle has been an integral part in the raising up of Ricci. Oh, and in case you are wondering, the doctor told my husband he should go home, get some rest, because he would need it. (Side note: For what reason I do not know, as let's face it, Ricci's dad never breastfed, didn't give birth, wasn't yet ready to change diapers, but anyway that is why Anielle was with us, daddy needed sleep...)

Then as I tried desperately to get my you know what through college, I took a summer class and GAITW would watch Ricci for me. (She did many many times as I finished college, but this is just one major act of kindness on GAITW's part) Sometimes they would come with me on campus as he was breastfed, and she would push him around campus while I was in class. One time this meant enduring an entire hour of crying, as she pushed him around comforting him as he expressed his then age appropriate "separation anxiety." His cries bounced off from one end of the campus to another, and GAITW just pushed on probably also close to tears, and so terribly embarrassed.

Danielle also backs me up. I get a lot of watching an silent judging as relatives watch in horror as my son tries to climb safety nets around the pool, jumps off of any and all furniture with reckless abandon, and often that means I have to say, "umm no, please do not let Ricci watch Television, for him it only adds to certain behaviors and inspires new ones, as well as brings on an inability to utilize any coping skills he might posses if he watches T.V. for too long. GAITW, always backs me up when other adults question me.

Also, positive discipline is our friend. Ricci needs redirection, help to keep his body safe, help to find his way to clean up a mess, help to remember to use the bathroom, and then to watch his hands, and GAITW, always, always stays on the same page. She stays calm, when inside she is I am sure throwing toys and screaming and locking herself in the bathroom to hide, but all we see is a composed auntie lovingly telling Ricci she can "help him," and she guides him through his actions. He knows where he stands with her, and so do I.

Now for the BIGGIE- Auntie is the greatest in the world not only for the night in the hospital on his first day of life, or for changing his diapers, and not just because of the driving him around to get him to sleep, or for playing along in his scripted world, or even and this is a biggie, picking him up from school when I could not, and taking him to the park to play while I had meetings, but because she would also build play dough ponies, make them food, a home, and then play with Ricci!!!! Now you know just some of what makes Ricci's Anielle the GREATEST AUNTIE IN THE WORLD!