A Beginning

I have always been close with my sister. When we were kids, we used to confide in each other about whether Joey or Jordan was cuter. As time progressed, we whispered secrets to one another regarding crushes and must-have shirts and dresses.

When I went to college, I focused on friends and parties but I always knew I could call my sister. Then I moved to Chicago and we were the inseperable duo we used to be when we were hunting down imaginary friends behind the refridgerator.

My family is the perfect example of the millennial generation unit. We are always connected. I talk to my mom three times a day (at least) and my sister exponentially more. Some people think it is too much, but for me it's just right.

So in 2006, when Freddy came along, I was scared my access to my sister would gradually ween. A year later she got married and I was the #2 best friend now.

Since the wedding, I was used to not having her 100% of the time but I had no idea what was in store for me when baby Augie came along.

Those of you who know me, know that as maternal and nurturing as I am, I did not inherit the pregnancy gene. What I mean by that, is that I cannot wrap my head around the thought of carrying a ten pound baby inside my 115 pound frame. I hate the idea of growing hair on my stomach, my ankles swelling into my legs and my face looking like I was permanently punched.

My sister must have been able to read this on my face as each day she got bigger, I stood back in horror. My little itty bitty sissy was twice her size, but to my surprise she couldn't have been happier. She loved having this human life inside her.

I was so proud of the way she never complained and went into labor calmly and elegantly as only she could.

Aside from being ready to constantly pass out in the labor and delivery room, I was in awe. I still can't believe that a live, eating, breathing actual human came from my sister. As my mom said, it can only be explained by chalking it up to a "miracle".

Initially, I was scared to death to touch the baby. I was convinced that I would be an utter failure at an aunt/mother figure and drop Augie on his head.

I didn't end up dropping the baby (thank God) and instantaneously realized that this baby was worth all the physical discomfort that pregnancy brings. Unbeknownst to Augie, he also just gave me another reason to always be by my sissy.

I may not be ready for motherhood yet (who am I kidding, I'm definitely not ready), but I am ready for the next logical step in my life. Ladies and gentleman, I am................................................. getting a new puppy!!!! Stayed tuned next week to meet the one and only - GUIDO.

Toys

"You are amazing...seriously. I am in awe. Totally obsessed."

My boyfriend repeated these types of outstanding compliments over and over again. Instead of soaking them up, I stood in my kitchen shaking my head.

How did I get myself in this situation? Since when did I become second fiddle to something smaller and plainer than me??

Well, I guess it happened precisely when the new iPhone came out. I instantly became less important.

I have never seen anything like it. My boyfriend sleeps next to it, holds it constantly even if we're hugging and stares at it for so long his eyes water. It was the apple of his eye.

Every time I think I am getting a little bit of QT with him and the conversation is rolling, I will ask him a question and the inevitable follows.

"Wanna find out? I can look it up on my phone."

Ugh. No, I don't want to find out. Want to know what I feel like doing? I feel like throwing that thing out the window as far as I can see and watch it die a slow, screen breaking death.

One day I was so frustrated that my precious alone time was being monopolized by the phone, I huffed out my front door in a fury. Hopeless and indignant, I decided to call my personal adviser - my sister.

She enlightened me. "You have to create boundaries." The phone will not be allowed within five feet of us if we were hugging or talking over dinner. The phone will be turned off when sleeping. And most important, the phone is not the source of all things good and wonderous.

I was familiar with these boundaries. The most important part of being a dog owner is setting limits. Let the dog know who's boss.

When you get a new puppy you are always practicing letting your puppy know when to play, when to eat, when not to bite, where not to sleep and when to sit.

Sometimes they listen. And sometimes they fight you. Sometimes you give in (most of the time). Sometimes you don't (very rarely).

I hoped to prove a more successful track rate with my boyfriend and his love.

I've been practicing asserting myself lately. Occassionally, hiding the phone from him. Telling my dog to get off the couch and allow room for my boyfriend and I to be lazy. I figured I needed to be equal in my boundary setting actions.

But even after all these efforts, the second you're not looking, they're back at their toys. Boys will be boys I guess. Astor is back at his ball I hid and Mark is back on his phone. I am still trying to be the boss, but I always have online shopping as my toy and my boyfriend is letting me getting away with that for now.