5 Things that remind me of...Mike and Nicole!

My sister in law is due with her first baby in 9 days.

All photos: Courtney Woods, Harriston. 

In under a month, my brother will be a father for the first time.

He is my only brother. This is a huge - ass deal to me.  The first time I will be an aunt to a child with whom I share DNA.

So, Mike and Nicole are on my mind a lot lately.  Constantly really.

Like I need anything to remind me right now, but this post is devoted to 5 things that remind me of Mike, and of Nicole. 










5 Things that remind me of Mike:

My son's face when he cries and when he yells.  I see Mike, every time. 

Colicky babies.  One of my earliest childhood memories is of being in my bed in the Fordwich house, listening to my baby brother cry at night, wondering if he'd ever stop.

Baseball, baseball, baseball.  Nothing is more my brother than baseball.  And the number 24. 

Anything insurance related.  You want to challenge your insurance company?  Have a question about a policy?  Want someone to deal with it instead of you?  Mike is your man. 

The songs "Iris" by Goo Goo Dolls, and "I'll be" by Edwin Mccain.  This doesn't make much sense, I realize, because they aren't really "sibling" type songs.  But they were both popular on the radio during a very emotional time in my life when I felt the need to both protect and lean on my brother...when he was the only sure thing in my world.  These songs would come on the radio and more than anything else, I would think of my brother and the lives we were living.
My brother will always be my very best friend in the world.  As maddening as he is, no one on Earth, not even Jeff, understands me and can predict me as well as he can. 

Okay wait - 6 things. 

The PS3 game Buzz.  It's tradition every Christmas.  I never laugh as hard all year as I do when we play that game.  That's a Top 5 memory with him, that is. 


5 things that remind me of Nicole:

Hot Apple Cider packets from the Grocery store.  You know, in the red box?  Those and Nicole are synonymous to me. 

Port Huron.  When you find a girl younger than you, who teaches you about wearing multiple bras under your shirt across the border so you don't have to claim them, you tell your brother she's a keeper!  Nicole is the queen of cross border shopping.  I never would have ever went to Dots or Fashion Bug if not for her and I am eternally grateful. 

The Brussels Fall Fair.  Not only was she its ambassador once upon a time, she has been one of it's champion supporters and committee members ever since. 

Fancy Fingernails.  This girl gets her nails done something fierce.  Makenna loves checking out her latest style. 

Coronation Street. She looooooves this show. I don't get it.  I really don't. 



Single digits, Baby Noble, single digits.  Your days are numbered until our epic first meet and greet. 

So hurry up already, won't you?