The past two weekends have given me a lot to celebrate. While our family always seems to be celebrating something – usually something I have dreamt up as an excuse to drink champagne (sorry, sparking wine) or have mum cook a roast – recent celebrations actually merit the consumption of the good stuff or allow for not only a roast, but a cheesecake for dessert.

In the past week I have gained a sister-in-law and a niece. Truly exciting events on their own, let alone one after the other and I am very lucky and fortunate to have had both.

As the eldest child in my family, I honestly thought I would be the first to have a ring on the finger and a bun in the oven. My brother, two years my junior, beat me to the punch on both. Or rather, his partner did. And I could not be more ecstatic for the two of them.

The pre Christmas baby announcement was exciting news, but the long wait to be an aunty seemed to drag when I was so looking forward to the event. With less than two weeks to go to the due date, my brother surprised us all by proposing, and the romantic way in which he did it was just the icing on the cake.

Seven days later, almost to the minute I received the ‘we’re engaged’ phone call, I answered the ‘baby’s on the way’ call and spent the next 12 hours staring at the phone, willing it to ring. Just like that (or, 12 hours of intense labour later) I was an aunty to a beautiful baby girl and crying more than my sister-in-law to be – so much excitement in such a short space of time.

While the engagement ring and the baby are still shiny and new, I’ll tell anyone who asks just how thrilled I am (including the Officeworks lady at lunchtime today) for my brother, his partner and their new addition to our family. I’m also excited for my parents; now grandparents, my grandmothers; now great grandmothers; and my youngest brother, now an uncle.

It’s now time for all of us to spoil the little princess rotten and let her aunty (me!) buy her all things girly and pretty. I already picked up her first pair of shoes and this adorable tee shirt. Soon enough we will be able to go shopping for wedding outfits, although right now I just hope she will be this small forever.

This post is dedicated to N and R. Congratulations on your engagement and the birth of your gorgeous little girl. May you be very happy and continue to make beautiful memories together. All my love, Sarah xxx

Image Note: ‘Fashionista In Training’ tee shirt, available at Kmart stores, $5