"And you're the aunt?"

When we first told Joel we were expecting a baby he got really serious and said "no, I don't want a baby."  Now, he loves children in general and especially babies.  We know that he will be excited about it when the baby arrives but his reaction at first wasn't one of excitement.

A couple months ago we told him "when the baby is born, you're going to be the uncle, 'Uncle Joel,' they'll say."  Then he got to get excited.  In this culture when a aunt/uncle/grandparent sees a child for the first time that day they say "Bendiga" which is like a blessing.  He said "when the baby says 'hola Tio Joel' I will say 'bendiga.'"

In the last few weeks my belly has been growing a lot and more people are noticing that I'm "really pregnant."  One day Joel said "when the baby is born, I'm going to be the uncle, right?"  

"Yep, you'll be the baby's uncle," I confirmed.

"And you'll be the aunt?"

I paused and held back my amused smile.  "No, I'll be the mom."  And then, just to be sure he understood, "and Larry will be the dad."

The sweet half-smile that only Joel can make creeped to his lips and he said "you're going to be the mom and Larry's going to be the dad?"  I confirmed it and he walked away really cheerful.

Well, yesterday Larry and Joel went into town to sell Joel's bottles.  On the way to buy some "work socks" for Joel with his earnings, Larry stopped to price some baby bottles.  In looking at the bottles, Joel said while laughing, "Allison says you're going to be the baby's daddy."

Larry smiled and affirmed our all-around status in regard to the baby.  Joel was content knowing that he was included--and I think to know that Larry is going to be a dad.  They have such a fun friendship.