Rob and the jar of sweets...

Dear such-a-nice-boy Rob, 

As has become the custom with this blog, my nearest and dearest have had “letters” of sorts on or around their birthday and this week this falls to you to complete the set – quite handy really that members of my family have had birthday’s inside this pregnancy!

While I believe you may have read the post I wrote for Ali I am not sure if you have kept up with the almost weekly postings I have made, if not, I am sure Ali will out me again so you can peruse...

 

3kg of baby D in pure sugar form!

This week baby D is approx the size of a large heavy thing, any thing, I’m not fussy, it’s big, it’s slightly uncomfy when I sit or stand or walk for any length of time so a mixture of all 3 seems best.   As you discovered this week when generally asking after me, baby D is in the right position, then after making the expected quip you had a more detailed description of what “the right position” meant.  It’s always hard to gauge how much is too much or too little info when someone asks after ones health/state and as you have an amazing habit of finding most personal details a touch on the embarrassing side – and tend to go a delightful shade of red – this makes things even harder!

I find it slightly alarming that my “little” brother, perhaps younger would be a fairer description as you are without doubt inches taller than me a twice as broad, is 28.  And just back from a 3 week stint in LA, which let’s be honest makes you sound like a complete high flyer!  (and as I have laughed about with you re your last trip; people then meet you and realise that is soooo not the case ;o))

A mum cake-special for 6th birthday perhaps? Please note the successful sneaking in of the pink cumberbund... 

I may have dropped this into a casual conversation recently and followed it up with a “and he spent 6 weeks in Dubai a few years ago when the world cup was on streaming the football directly onto Emirates planes.” When did I turn into “that” member of the family?!  It doesn’t really matter I guess but needless to say I am dead proud of you!  

 A quick "which foot to we start on?" check before walking me down the aisle!

I think both you and I would be the first to say we didn’t perhaps see eye to eye growing up, to put it politely anyway!  I am not sure why and to be honest don’t spend time thinking about it, I just recall finding you exceptionally irritating, as I am sure is the way for most bother/sisters with a 2 year age gap.  You always had something to say, were never wrong and generally I found you a pain in the bum.  There may have been the odd spat, one more memorable one involving me ending up with a bleeding nose – I am not sure who was more shocked you because you’d drawn blood,  me because I’d “lost” or mum having to listen to the commotion while in the bath!!

There can be no explanation as to what mum/you were thinking re the jogging bottom, sock and shoe combo here...

I feel I should offer an explanation for your nickname or maybe tagline; “such a nice boy” having used it above.  While it causes much hilarity within our family and maybe a raised brow or 2 or 5 from Ali and I, I am not sure when it started, probably when you were small and completely angelic looking child who did something cute for an old lady at church, but it has followed you around all these years and as you are one of the most thoughtful guys I know, it is very true.  Nothing is too much effort and sometimes I think you spend so much time trying to keep everyone else happy that you forget about yourself...

I seem to recall having to make you laugh for this photo!

Although just to offer some balance, as a brother a complete nit-wit too with a dreadful sense of humour, I won’t even go there with Alan Partridge or the shocking “jokes” you spout far too often...  I do like the fact that pre first date with Helen we (mum, Ali and me) all told you to reign in the jokes and yet a few short weeks in Helen seemed to have clocked them already – poor girl...

As a sign-off then I shall say that I cannot wait for you to meet your niece or nephew and I am sure you will be “cool” uncle Rob.  Let’s be honest if you veer towards cheesy Uncle Rob Ali or I or both will set you straight!  And don’t worry, I will let you know which way up the baby goes and yes you can give it back if it cries...

J xx