She's Got It Together
She's Got It Together
Adventures In Aunt Land with Blaire Brown
Hey everyone! It's Jessica from She's Got It Together. In this episode, my sister and co-host Samantha and I have a special guest, Blaire Brown, joining us to talk about the joys and adventures of being an aunt. As Blaire shares her experiences with her niece and nephew, we dive into the special bond between aunts and their siblings' kids. From impromptu hangouts and sleepovers to being the trusted confidant for those silly (and sometimes not-so-silly) questions, we explore what makes the aunt-niece/nephew relationship so unique and heartwarming.
We also touch on how being an aunt can give you a glimpse into motherhood and how it might influence your decision to have kids of your own. Blaire opens up about her own journey and how she's embracing her role as an aunt while focusing on her career and waiting for the right person to come along.
This episode is a fun, chatty celebration of the special role aunts play in the lives of their nieces and nephews. So, whether you're a proud aunt, an expecting aunt-to-be, or simply curious about this beautiful family dynamic, join us for a delightful conversation that'll make you laugh, reminisce, and appreciate the incredible aunts in your life!
Connect with Blaire on IG @heyitsblairebrown or at https://blairebrown.com/
Hope you enjoyed this episode!
Remember we'll be back twice a month with more fun shananagins. Be sure to follow us so you don't miss a beat!
We'd sure appreciate a review too. This helps us reach more women just like you trying to make it through the sometimes chaotic, sometimes fun, and sometimes cry-worth days of motherhood.
Can't wait to hear more from us or want to leave us a comment?
Catch us on social:
Insta: @shesgotittogether
YouTube: @shesgotittogether
Blog: shesgotittogether.com
Here's to Getting it Together one day at a time,
Jessica & Samantha
I have like a role now Like I have things that I can do with this kid.
Speaker 1:Like I have a title. Yeah, it's almost like you just like graduated from being like just the sister. Now you're like Ooh, I'm the aunt.
Speaker 2:It's a different level, Right Cause now I'm like I have a responsibility to buy this child cute clothes. I need to be the person yeah, I gotta be the fun mom Like they need to tell me all the secrets and I might tell their parents later you know, like what's going to come out.
Speaker 2:It's, it's a lot of fun, but it just it adds something new to your life and it's something I didn't expect, I think whenever I became an aunt, I was just like you know, you're excited about the baby to come. But then it's there and it's real and it's emotional. It's like, oh my gosh, my sibling created a human and this human loves me. Whoa, yeah, say out loud, but it's a real thing and so, um for me. I take a lot of pride in it.
Speaker 3:I just love them so much. Yeah, I love that. Hi everyone, and welcome to a brand new episode of she's Got it Together. I'm your host, jessica.
Speaker 1:And I'm Samantha. Each week we peel back the curtain on what it really looks like to have it together.
Speaker 3:From the messy moments to the milestones. We're here to share it all. So grab your favorite drink, get comfy and let's dive into today's topic. Hi everyone, jessica here from. She's Got it it together, and I am here with my sister and co-host, samantha hello. Yes, and we also have a special guest today. Blair brown is going to be joining us and she is going to be talking to us about being an aunt, which I think is such a cool twist on what we normally do, because it takes a village right. I mean, it's not just about the mom. So, blair, welcome.
Speaker 2:Thank you so much for having me today. I'm really excited.
Speaker 3:Yes, we're thrilled to have you here. Do you want to start by kind of just telling a little bit about yourself and your background?
Speaker 2:Sure, so I. I own a business called the Visionary Advantages Brand Lab and I own a course called the Business Launch Lab. And essentially what I am and well, who I am and what I've been doing for the past several years is I've just always been an entrepreneur. I'm obsessed with entrepreneurship. Um, I love helping people launch their own businesses, but also those who've already taken that step. I love helping them with all things marketing and branding, from A to Z. So that's essentially what I do in a nutshell. And then, as you already said, I'm an aunt. That is my role in my family.
Speaker 3:And um, it's a lot of fun. I love it. I love that. So how many nieces and nephews do you have?
Speaker 2:So I have one niece and one nephew. My niece is eight years old and, as she wrote in parentheses in her coloring book this weekend almost nine yeah, I was. I sent it to my brother and my sister-in-law and I said, oh, we're saving this page forever. It's so cute. And then my nephew is six, and then my little sister has a nephew on the way and he's due in July, and so I am beyond excited for him to join the family too. So it's a lot of fun. I love it.
Speaker 3:Yeah, no, I think it's fun. I mean, sam, like you, probably have more experience um having the aunt years longer than I did.
Speaker 1:Yeah, because we're nine years apart. So I was definitely an aunt before you. So it was. It was fun because, like I was, I think, 18, 19 at the time when I became an aunt. And it's like at that age where, like you're, I don't want to say you have like baby fever, but you just are, like you know, in that age where you're just kind of like you're just like dreaming of like the future and like the husband you might need and your family you might have and things like that.
Speaker 1:So then when I'm like, oh, I'm an aunt I have, like, I have like a role now, like I have things that I can do with this kid Like I have a title. Yeah, it's almost like you just like graduated from being like just the sister. Now you're like Ooh, I'm in the ant.
Speaker 2:It's a different level.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Cause now I'm like I have a responsibility to buy this child cute clothes. I need to be the person yeah, I gotta be the fun mom Like they need to tell me all the secrets and I might tell their parents later you know, like what's going to come out.
Speaker 2:It's a lot of fun, but it just it adds something new to your life and it's something I didn't expect. I think whenever I became an aunt, I was just like you know you're excited about the baby to come. But then it's there and it's real and it's emotional. It's like, oh my gosh, my sibling created a human and this human loves me Whoa, just to say out loud, but it's a real thing and so, um, for me. I take a lot of pride in it. I just love them. So much.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I love that. So how close are they to you? Are you in the same town or are you ready for this?
Speaker 2:They? Are five minutes away I love it. I'm so lucky, oh my gosh.
Speaker 2:I mean this is for my, my current niece and nephew, who are here. My the nephew is on the way. He's in Maryland. I'm in Florida, so, um, he'll be a little bit far, but I'll make, I'll make sure I make a lot of trips up there, which is nice, um, but with Annabelle and Easton they're five minutes away we make a little impromptu hangouts and so that's been really nice and that's kind of new. I've only lived here for two and a half years, so I've been a part of their life, like really actively for the past two and a half years and it's been great. Because I think four, between four and six is kind of the best years Cause whenever they come in and love on you and like hug you, the love is pure you know you don't have to bribe them yet, yeah.
Speaker 2:It's just like when they hug you. It's like comes from their soul and you're like, oh, yes, I'm going to go and they're just so honest and like blunt and they just like are just so open with their emotions and their feelings and they're just like I love you so much.
Speaker 1:You're like you're so pretty today.
Speaker 2:I love your dress. You know, it's just like, you're just like yeah, yeah, it's so much You're like, you're so pretty today.
Speaker 3:I love your dress, you know, it's just like you're just like. Yeah, yeah, it's a little hype girl. Yeah, totally, that's awesome. What do you enjoy most about being an aunt? I mean really what?
Speaker 2:where does? Where are the warm fuzzies for you with this? Uh, I, just being a part of their life is really special to me, cause I get to hang out with them anytime I want. Really, I mean just picking them up from school and their little tiny requests that they think is so cool Cause their mom and dad aren't there. So I'm like, all right, I'll get, I'll swing in and do that with you. So like this weekend, um, my, my niece goes. I'm Blair and I don't know where aunt came in with them because we grew up in Oklahoma and Texas. So me and my brother and sister don't use aunt. We would say aunt.
Speaker 2:And so we're like I was like well, did you send them to like a British school?
Speaker 1:or something, Brandon Cause, like they're calling me auntie Blair and I'm like what are?
Speaker 2:they British. We're in South Florida so I don't know where they pick that up, probably Probably at school. But we've been kind of laughing about that. But I think their little request for fun things has been really funny to see, because I have a convertible, so they're like can we drive with the top down?
Speaker 2:And I made a playlist for them on Spotify so that way it doesn't mess up my playlist. Right, right, exactly. But also it's kid approved, right. So you know like we'll listen to Taylor Swift and Harry Styles. You know like some of the things to like, um, and I also like selfishly, so we'll be cruising. They'll be like, can we listen to our playlist? I'll be like sure, and then they'll get new things We'll add onto it.
Speaker 2:Like the little requests are pretty fun, um, we do lots of sleep overs and so that's been my favorite. So they'll come over and you know we'll get all the living room all set up for them and we'll watch, you know, whatever Disney movies they want to watch. We'll go to the pool and because it's not their house, they kind of like act like it's a theme park or something, cause my apartment building happens to have like fun little things for them, and so we'll do that. We'll do special breakfasts together, like we'll have, like you know, um, crepes where they get to fix it themselves with all the fruits and Nutella and things, and so they get a kick out of that Like anything, like they don't have at their house.
Speaker 1:They find it, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:And so I don't know. Things like that are just fun, just to make it different for them and, like you know, they're little, so they like like I don't know they just get a kick out of things.
Speaker 1:They get it and then like the littlest things you know, small things that are easy for you to do but like so memorable for them.
Speaker 3:It's so great and they have your undivided attention. I think that's a big thing. I feel like that's like one of the roles of an aunt. It's like moms whether there's one or two or more, you know, kids you still just don't have that real focus on them. I mean, there's so many other things.
Speaker 1:All the time Right.
Speaker 3:And I think that that's a really cool piece to being an aunt, you know, being able to still be that kind of mom figure, but a fun mom figure.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 3:Giving all the attention and you know they do open up to you more.
Speaker 2:They do.
Speaker 3:Yeah, it's, it's a whole thing. It's just another like I don't know. I just never put so much emphasis on the aunt piece until I guess I saw how much like Hayden my oldest, you know did with you Sam and of course Sydney, and it was just that connection was so neat to see.
Speaker 1:Yeah because we were like five minutes away from you too, because, like we were still, like we were going to like school, like back home. We've moved like two and a half hours away now, so we don't see them as often, but, like with Hayden, we were in town when she was born, up until gosh, she was like what, five, five?
Speaker 3:because you left when Taylor was born. Yeah, yeah, because we went yeah, we went to.
Speaker 1:We moved to Grand Rapids, yeah, when Taylor was born, which was like so hard too, because I'm like we had all this like one-on-one time with Hayden and then now Taylor's born and then we're leaving, so we're not going to be home as much to see her, and I remember like it was like such like a, a pull like you, like we're like I don't want to leave because like I'm leaving Hayden and now we have another baby and then it's like I'm gonna miss out on that time. So like I know, that was like hard when we moved, like Sid and I moved, so we we had that one-on-one time with Hayden and it was so fun. We would pick her up from school, surprise her picking her up from school. If we came home from college or something, we would pick her up and she'd be so excited. They're just like, oh my god, my aunt's here, my aunt's here, that's my Aunt Sam. They get so excited. We go take her to get ice cream and you get little gifts and stuff.
Speaker 1:And it's just like so much fun to have that time. And I think I don't know if this has happened to you, but like we were out with, like I was out with Hayden at the mall, like just watching her and I was walking with her around I think I was with you and DJ but I had taken her like outside of the store to just like walk around and then this woman approached me and is like you have such a beautiful daughter and I'm like, oh, thank you, it's like have you ever like been like?
Speaker 1:you're just like. I'll take credit for this cute child. And then, like at the time, I was just like I was probably like 19 at the time. So it's like it wouldn't have been like unheard of that I had a child. But then you also have like the other side of it where you're kind of getting like people staring at you because they think like they're your kid, you're so young.
Speaker 2:I was really young yeah.
Speaker 3:And.
Speaker 1:I looked really young for my age too, because I'm like almost 34 now and I was, you know, back that I just like have like a young face. So they thought I was probably like 17, 16. And they're like there's like oh, the looks like, oh, she's got it, she's a teen mom.
Speaker 2:Like not that there's anything wrong with it, but it's like they're just like yeah, that way.
Speaker 1:Or they're like we got to have such a beautiful daughter and I'm like, thank you, she's blonde hair and blue eyes and looks nothing like me, but thank you so much, she looks like her father. You know, like it's just like I remember those moments of being like mistaken as the mom and I'm just like I'll take credit for it. And with Taylor she looked like me.
Speaker 1:Dj is a little more like darker, complected like me, and so then I would get credit for her too, and it's like I remember DJ and I were together waiting for you or something on vacation somewhere and they came up to us like oh, you guys have such a beautiful family and DJ are like thank you so much. You know. It's just like I'm not going to go down this rabbit hole and correct you. But it's like Blair, have you ever taken credit for being the mom? Like? Has that ever happened yet?
Speaker 2:Well, not actually. Yeah, it's happened a few times Cause like I'll be out with them and actually they look a lot like me. And what's weird is that, um, Annabelle, my niece, she actually picked up. She is so much like me it is wild, Like she actually had my mannerisms and every in traits for me before I even moved down here, so it wasn't even like and I lived in New York before, so it's not like she could pick up on it. Um, she just it's genetics man, it's crazy.
Speaker 2:And yeah, like she. Um, actually funny story is that when she was really little, so she's always been just super girly. I've always been super girly. I mean my background right now is a flower wall, so she's, um, she has always been that way since birth. And my sister-in-law isn't as girly like that. She is, but like not in that level. And um, annabelle would get like creeped out by you know, I don't know bugs and stuff and um, so, as she has like all these really extra girly mannerisms and likes and dislikes, um, my dad, I would, I realized, fast forward a few years later after she was born. Um, growing up, my brother or my dad would be like, all right, the rule with fishing if we go out fishing is you got to bait the hook yourself and I'd be so skeeved out by putting the worm on the hook.
Speaker 1:I just wouldn't.
Speaker 2:I'd be like crying over in the corner because I couldn't do it and fast forward. I'm fishing with my dad and he's like I'll bait the hook for you. I'm like what?
Speaker 1:Really, I'm in my 30s. He goes, it's okay.
Speaker 2:Excuse me, he goes, it's okay, it's who you are.
Speaker 1:They realize it's a genetic thing.
Speaker 2:It's like how I'm built because of Annabelle and I was like, wow, this is like changing my life. It's like it's like a small thing that's hilarious because he saw it on Annabelle. He's like it's serious genetics, like how you guys are built like this. You are the same way. Annabelle's not even there to learn it from you, but that's how she is. And so even now, like my brother will, will crack up. He'll be like call me if, like maybe she's not doing the most athletic thing in the world, and he'd be like she runs fast, but she's like you but other things.
Speaker 2:You know, maybe not the most athletic, and we'll be laughing. Yeah, she'll be like you know, do something extra glittery or pink and this, and that my sister-in-law will be like look at me. She'll be like you sure you didn't have the kid? I was like pretty sure I didn't go through that. Thanks for doing it for me. You know my own little mini me who even looks like me. If you compare photos, it's super weird, like childhood photos, same and um, it's just weird, you know, but I love it.
Speaker 1:Um, but how it's almost like, if I had a daughter, would she be just like that Look like me my mannerisms, everything that's so cool.
Speaker 2:It's fun. But so sometimes people do mistake them as mine and I haven't taken ownership. I'm like no, but I'm the aunt.
Speaker 3:So they're like oh okay, You're more honest, yeah.
Speaker 1:I should just start taking it. You should. You should A couple times here and there, and I don't know if it was like, if it happened to me now, like I probably would be like oh no, I'm just like the amp of being like younger. I was just kind of like yeah, thank you. Like I was like so caught off guard. Like they, like, they'd even like think that, like she was mine, I'm like oh, uh-huh, thanks, what you're just like, um, okay uncomfortable yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3:Well, speaking of the fish, though, that's funny because we're gonna do a small rabbit hole here up north, like that was. We had to be able to bait ours, but we use hot dogs and cheese that's what the fish liked up there, right there. They didn't want the worms and we'd have to take it off the hook. We'd get a bag and put our hand in that.
Speaker 2:And then I yeah, so you can do the ones either. No way, no, I was like I can't do it, but I mean, literally I'm in my thirties. My dad's like it's okay, it's how you, it's who you are.
Speaker 1:It's just well. And it's like why didn't you make these allowances for me? Then You're doing it for Annabelle, Like if you you know the realization. It's like do I get an apology for you making me like?
Speaker 2:yeah, it's so funny. She just literally I mean she's just perfect. I mean her confidence level, her how she is about being all glitter. She wore some spark. She got some boots from Amazon in the mail that are full glitter and they're like she's obsessed with Taylor Swift.
Speaker 2:So she gets these sparkly boots and she always will like wear gown. Brooke, uh, annabelle, wear like these sparkly dresses. To like going out to eat at a barbecue place. So she just came in the mail for some reason smelling like barbecue and we're like that's kind of weird. Why did they arrive smelling like barbecue? Maybe something with a leather? And so we had plans to go to a barbecue place one night. She goes, I wear my sparkly boots. They'll smell like the place and we're like, oh my God, she planned it, it's so good.
Speaker 2:Oh my God, she planned it.
Speaker 1:It's so good Little fashionista already.
Speaker 2:Oh, she is Big time, big time. My background and my college background is in the fashion industry, so that's why it's especially kind of yeah, I went to the fashion Institute of technology in New York and then my whole corporate background is in the fashion industry before I launched my business. So it's just kind of funny that she's so into it and nobody else in my family is.
Speaker 1:So it's just like kind of a weird thing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and my grandmother she was um and she's not around anymore, but she also was really into that kind of thing, so it's like I'm my grandmother she also is really into that kind of thing.
Speaker 1:So it's like I'm my grandmother and then now Annabelle's got it. So it's funny how fun, like when she gets older, if she's still like into that, like the things that you guys could do together, like the conversations you'd have like oh yeah. I think that would be so much fun Like to have, like something like the two of you share, like that, and it's kind of like just the two of you like what a special little bond that you guys are going to have.
Speaker 2:Oh, I know I'm already teaching her how to sew, and so that's been my kind of thing is like I started sewing in the second grade and actually my first business was a handbag company and I like designed and sewed my own handbags, sold them for eight years, and so for me I'm like all right, we're going to get her started with this now.
Speaker 3:Let's get her going. Yeah, that's something. Well, you know it's funny because Taylor is a lot like you, sam.
Speaker 1:you know even the way she looks and her attitude right now we've, we've decided I had a bit of a toad.
Speaker 3:She's a mini Sam at the moment. Sorry about that. Yeah, she's very strong-willed.
Speaker 1:Nothing wrong with that. It helps you later. It does.
Speaker 3:It's not so fun for your parents, yeah Right now it's a struggle, but yeah, she looks a lot like you, even in the baby pictures. Yeah, we were looking at those not too long ago and the similarities. It's hilarious.
Speaker 1:It's just interesting like how genetics like play such a role and it like makes you like wonder too, like you know, if you do like look so much like your niece or nephew even, and you have like those similarities in like your hobbies and stuff like that like how much closer that like makes you maybe with like one of your nieces or nephews versus like the other. Like it's like of course you love them all, but sometimes like you just have that like special bond with one which is like so fun. I remember like growing up too, like our aunt jill like was always so, like she still is, but so fun like she was. I was never like super girly and into stuff, but like they had my nana and my aunt had this like huge like barbie collection and are super into barbies and stuff.
Speaker 1:So like I was really into barbies but um, that was like from them and like we they would like you got the collector barbies with them and like they had like would get us all this stuff and come over and I just remember her coming over and us playing barbies and they bring us all this cool, cool stuff and we'd go and do fun things and I'm like my gosh, it was so fun because when you get older you might not spend as much time with them necessarily, like we moved out of town, so your relationship changes, but you still have those fun memories from when you were younger of them just being there and playing with you, because when you're a kid, that's's all you like want to do, is like go play with stuff and do cool stuff, and so you have those fun memories, which is great, because I just think like now, being a mom, I like think back on those things and I think of like you being an aunt and then my other sister, sydney, being an aunt to Bo, and like I'm having a girl that we can all do like girly fun things with.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So it's just exciting to know that like you have that family support and like you have, like you know, a sister that's going to be there for your child and like be able to do fun things with them and teach them things. And it's just nice that, because I feel like not everybody has that, if they're an only child or something, or like they just don't have as a supportive family that has like those close relationships, like I definitely feel like so.
Speaker 3:So blessed that we have like this, this close support group for our kids. Yeah, it's crazy. I mean, I remember my dad's sister. Yeah, so we have different dads. Yeah, We'll throw it out there, so this doesn't get confusing here. Yeah, so we have different dads. Yeah.
Speaker 3:We'll throw it out there, so this doesn't get confusing here. So my dad's sister, you know she was like the aunt that was always around for me and she still is, like, she's still around all the time with my kids. She's the great aunt. She's, you know, whether we need something, whether it's fun, you know, whatever she's there and it's just a very important piece of the family really. I mean, yeah, she's, she's a has a vital role and we rely on that, you know. I mean, if we didn't have that, I can't imagine not having it. I guess is the thing.
Speaker 1:yeah, that's the thing you can't imagine like not having them there to like be with you through those memories that like you're making with your kids, just like showing up at, like your kids concert with you and things like that or they just like get all shy and they're like. You know, they're like right here they're like like, oh my god, my aunt's waving at me like it's like one or the other oh my gosh, yeah, it was.
Speaker 2:I picked up them both up from school the other day and my nephew, like he was acting all cool Like I wasn't actually there. Like they were finishing it after school program playing basketball or something. So I just stood there in the gym on the corner just waiting for them to finish up and they didn't know I was picking him up that day. I just surprised him. So I came in and then I watched Easton just walk over like very serious, like the six year old goes. We're going now.
Speaker 1:It's like my aunt's here.
Speaker 2:We're going now and I was like I just watched it, he said nothing to me and she goes, you still got to put away your stuff. But he's like okay, and then he's walking. But it was just like so funny how stealthy he was. And then like right, cool collected, and then they get in the car like can we listen to oompa loompa song?
Speaker 1:I was like okay, you know, gotta play it cool in front of the friends and the teachers.
Speaker 2:You know like yes, we're leaving, we're going my rides here, see ya yeah, I tell my brother and my sister-in-law I said you have one job and that's to not let them grow up. Okay, Thanks. So anytime they get a haircut or something I'm like when did they become a teenager? When did they start parallel parking? You know, I'm like, I'm over this. Oh my gosh, you have one job, I know.
Speaker 1:That's the thing I noticed with like, especially like Hayden Cause, because we were there since she was born. We were there with her when she was a baby and then now she's in high school. I'm like, how is she in high school? She's driving almost. It's like she's like the cutest thing. She is way better at fashion than me. I'm like she is like the cool girl at school that I was like oh my god, you're so cute. Like look at your outfits and like you're just like she is, like she's in like the gun club and like shoots skates and all this stuff, and she runs track and I'm just like, oh my god, like that's my niece.
Speaker 1:I'm like when did you become like this, this, this old kid? I'm like you were like this little two year old running around like with your diaper on like forever. Yeah, two weeks ago it seems like I'm like my gosh. I was like how is she so old?
Speaker 3:Yeah, we still have the video of you two you babysitting oh, yes, and she's running around the table. She just, I think, just started walking and, yeah, we have sydney's reaction to oh my god, is she's ready to fall? Because sydney is very much it's like a super warrior, a warrior yes and I'm like she's fine.
Speaker 1:It's hilarious the reactions between the two of you well, and it's funny too, because, like being an aunt, it's kind of like a glimpse into being a mom you know in a way, and so it's a little practice run and you can kind of see like your comfortability around kids and like how you like react to certain situations and I'm just I feel like for me I was just already naturally much more comfortable around kids than like sid was. Sid wasn't sure she even wanted to have kids at one point and now like she, she has her son Bennett but it's just funny she's much more like cautious and a worrier. I'm just much more.
Speaker 2:Oh, he's fine, like she's fine like it's okay, they'll be okay, like it's just part of it's just part of it.
Speaker 1:It's how they learn and so then, I was already. I like, yeah, like I want to have kids, kind of thing, and it is different when you have your own kids. But yeah, that's like being an aunt like one way or the other, just like it sway you to like oh yeah, I know I want to have kids. Or it's like you know what I like being the aunt. I don't know if I want to have kids, you know? Does it like sway you either way?
Speaker 2:I'm still on the fence. I'm not sure Like I mean I would love, I think, if I met. I just has all comes down to you. I mean he's the right person. I'm not rushing it just to have a kid. So I'm like you know what, if it happens, it happens Cool. I think if I met the right person then I'd be super open to it because I love my niece and nephew so much. If I can love them that much, then like, oh my gosh, imagine if it was my own.
Speaker 2:Um but at the same time, like I love just being in that role. So it's like I think it just depends if I made the right person. Yeah, probably, but since for now it's not there, I'm like I'm just going to, you know, embrace this and just try to be like the best aunt possible.
Speaker 1:And also enjoy the fact that whenever they are getting to that meltdown, you know countdown.
Speaker 2:I can be like, hey, brandon, come uh, pick up annabelle and easton, or I'm bringing them home exactly.
Speaker 1:It's like I can have you as much as I want to have you. We can have fun, and when I'm ready for you to go, it's like you get to go home and I get to relax by myself with like a glass of wine and watch my show.
Speaker 2:Well, a couple of weekends ago they spent the night at my house to get both the kids and they. We were by the pool and like spent the afternoon together, like the day after the sleepover, and they were just tired. You know, like exciting new atmosphere and you know, mom and dad aren't here, kind of thing. And one story that's funny is we found out that my local grocery store sells sparklers. I was like whoa didn't know that. But Easton found them and he's like and we buy these? I'm like, obviously. So he bent some cause he's trying to open up the package. He's six.
Speaker 2:You know, it didn't happen. I messed him up and I was like, oh, that's okay, we'll still try them. We tried lighting them outside. They would light up for like two seconds and it was funny. As he threw it on the ground he goes oh Blair, this is a bust. We were dying. It was so funny. We did other things too to compensate, but it was just like so funny. But the next day they were exhausted. My brother goes hey, I'm coming to pick them up, is that cool? I'm like, yeah, no problem, he comes up and they pack up their stuff, they're walking out and he goes. I said excellent timing and he goes are they about to have a meltdown? I said, oh yeah.
Speaker 2:And he goes. He just looks up and he goes, it's okay, he's just laughing about it.
Speaker 2:It's like literally the quintessential aunt move is like, but yeah, there's so much fun, there's such a joy and you know, um, it definitely makes me see like, wow, how special is it to have kids. I think it's so amazing. Um, I feel so fortunate to live so close, like that's a benefit of the pandemic, I'd say. The silver lining is I used to live in New York. I moved to Florida because New York. I moved to Florida because New York is in a really great place right now. Um, for me at least, I was like you know what Florida has? Family and sunshine. Those are great things.
Speaker 1:Um.
Speaker 2:I really just embraced hanging out with them all the time, cause whenever those things happen, like the pandemic, you really see what's important and family is so important. So, um, you know, for me to be close by it's just such a blessing. And, um, you know, just to get to see them grow up at this stage, cause that time is limited and so I'm just soaking up all the sleepovers that I can while they want to hang out with me. And, um, you know all those hilarious questions they ask whenever their parents aren't around. I can call Brandon and Tracy and be like, guess what they asked me this time, like my apartment door closes and they're like so, aunt Blair you know, it's like what is going on in there.
Speaker 2:Like the things that they just they're sponges. It's amazing.
Speaker 3:They are.
Speaker 2:Mine's always going. It blows my mind, like the things that they pick up on that you know their parents aren't talking about, like I know I'm so close with my brother and sister-in-law like so close and my mom and dad too, so even if they're with Nana and Papa, you know, like I know that they're not saying these things and I'm just like they're just sponges and soaking up everything.
Speaker 1:It's like they hear something at the store at at, you know, and they're like what is this? I heard this, what is that? You know?
Speaker 3:And you're just like oh, but they know not to ask mom and dad.
Speaker 1:They know to ask the infant aunt, you know like, because they're like she's not going to get mad at me if I ask her about this. You know She'll be real.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and then, and I'm like, you know you got to navigate it the right way, but then also you want to let the parents know, like I mean it's never anything crazy, but it's always more funny things, you know.
Speaker 1:Yeah, well, and it's like as they get older, like it might be like one of those things, yeah, like they're going to come to you with something, yeah.
Speaker 2:Oh, I'm already thinking. If they were to ask me about some of these topics, how do I hand that off to their parents, right, because I don't worry, it's like you know.
Speaker 1:I'm sure they would trust you enough to, like you know, give them like a version of it and then you let them know, like. Oh, by the way, so-and-so asked me about this and so you might want to address that.
Speaker 3:But then it's like don't tell them.
Speaker 1:I told you, or you can't, I don't know. You know it's like. However, you want to handle it. But it's nice that they will feel comfortable coming to you to like ask questions and talk about things, and then it can almost like open up a conversation that they can have with their parents if they want to.
Speaker 3:Well, that helps to those things that they can just keep from their parents, you know at least it's coming out somewhere. You know, yeah, oh yeah, I've never been asked me any day over some parent who's gone rogue.
Speaker 2:That's their friend's parent. You know what I mean, right? You don't know. Actually, their parents said that in the car the other day. All of us and the kids were in the car and they're like you know, if you need to ask any of these questions, always ask us. We can also trust everybody in this car. Ask Aunt Blair or Nana and Papa, and I think that's always a good thing. So I'm like, yeah, ask me, and then you know if I need to call them, I'll call them.
Speaker 1:Right, it's nice that they have a safe place to go with questions, funny or more serious, you know it's so nice and that's like being like an aunt or an uncle, like it's just like you have that safe space that you can go to when you're young, old, whatever, like it's nice that you have that, that they have that you know, confidant, they can go to Exactly.
Speaker 2:So it's nice. I love being an aunt. It's my favorite, and then the new one's coming on the way, I know you're going to have my sisters my sisters first. Yeah, so exciting. Yeah, we're really pumped Like this kid. Oh my God, the amount of love he's being born into is wild. It's great, that's awesome.
Speaker 3:Well, this conversation was awesome, I'm thank you so much for coming and jumping on and just talking about this with us because, like I said, it's it's an important topic that I think gets neglected, and the role of an aunt is something special.
Speaker 2:So well, thanks for having me. I've had a lot of fun talking about it and, um, I was excited, especially post sleepover with Annabelle this weekend, you know like I get to have a little ant discussion on Monday, so thank you for having me.
Speaker 3:This has been a lot of fun. Yeah, yeah, do you want to tell everyone where they can find you too?
Speaker 2:Sure, I mean, if you guys are interested in what I do for a living.
Speaker 3:Yeah, well, there's lots of mompreneurs around. So yeah, yeah, any mompreneur.
Speaker 2:I work with quite a few mompreneurs. Visit me at. You can just look up my name, blair browncom It'll bring you to the same website. Or look up hey, it's Blair Brown on Instagram and I'm there too, um, for anything marketing, branding, or if you're thinking about launching a business too, um, I'd love to hop on a call and just chit chat with you and hear about your cool ideas. So, be a lot of fun and we can talk about how cute.
Speaker 1:your kids are too.
Speaker 2:I love that, I love looking at everybody's kid photos and hearing about it. It's so much fun for me so I can just you know, live through everybody else on that for now, and then one day I'll return the favor.
Speaker 3:Yeah Well, this was great. So again, thanks for joining us and we will be back next week for another new episode. Thanks for joining us today on she's Got it Together. It's been a real journey, sharing and laughing with you all.
Speaker 1:We hope you're walking away with a smile on your face and a bit more confidence in your step.
Speaker 3:Remember, you're not alone in this crazy ride called life. We're all in this together, one day at a time.
Speaker 1:Don't forget to subscribe, leave us a review and, of course, share this podcast with all the incredible women in your life. Join, leave us a review and, of course, share this podcast with all the incredible women in your life. Join us next week for more stories, more laughs and more real talk. Until then, keep embracing your unique journey and remember you've got it together more than you think.
