Eden & Mommy & Aunt Whitney Day

Last week, after visiting with Courtney and Britton in New Orleans, we drove back to Baton Rouge where we were met by Eden's Aunt Whitney. It seems she just couldn't stay away from seeing her favorite neice. I mean, she was just in Jackson, and that's just right up the road. So, she came to visit for a few days and help me (Ashley) get the plans set for Eden's party.

On Monday, Aunt Whitney checked out PDO in the morning when I dropped off Eden. [This is where the "Oh my, that must be your sister" comments started :), definitely a compliment for me] Then, Whitney checked out our neighborhood by going for a run, something I've never done, and later picked up Eden from PDO so that Graham and I could get some work done. I imagine that's the first of many fun outings the two of them will have after school.

On Tuesday, we spent a real Mommy and Eden day but this time with Aunt Whitney along for the fun. Our first stop after lounging in and taking our time getting ready for the day ...

... Target, of course. Thanks to Aunt Beverly, Eden had a cute new outfit to wear for the day! [Don't blame Eden, Aunt Beverly. I couldn't wait to see what you sent, and she wore it the very next day. It's so-o-o cute :).] [[*I should say that this really isn't a look I recognize from Eden, but the pic was funny so I put it up anyway. I realize this may become a common look as she gets older, but let's hope that stays away for awhile.]]

Anyhow, our time in Target started off with a stop at Starbucks ...

And then more strange looks while at the customer service counter followed by "Are y'all twins?" They just couldn't believe we were 7 years apart in age.

The craziest reaction we received was from the lady working the dressing room. Whitney had already been inside with lots of clothes to try on when I walked up pushing Eden in the cart with all our stuff. That lady working behind the counter was giving me the meanest looks; I had no idea what I'd done and thought surely blocking the path with the cart for a minute could not warrant those kinds of stares. After a few minutes, I called Whit on her phone to find out her location. We talked, you could hear Whitney in the dressing room, and then a lightbulb went off for the lady behind the counter ...

"Do you have a sister?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Is she in there?"
"Yes."
"OH MY GOSH, I thought you stole somebody's baby! Are y'all twins?! I saw ya go in there with a bunch of clothes and then the next thing I know you're out here without any clothes acting like that's your baby and I thought you just took somebody's baby like it's your own. I can't believe this ... my heart's poundin' ... I didn't know what to do. Get her to come out here. Y'all just look exactly alike. I gotta see her ... ... ..."

Yes, it went on and on, and I really thought she might faint with the shock of realizing I hadn't "stole somebody's baby." So, we had to talk about siblings and how many she had (the baby girl of 12!) and how Whitney and I really are 7 years apart and how it must be the haircuts that add to the looking alike.

Anyhow, we finally made it out of Target without much more craziness, just the usual "Oh, she's so cute" comments that are so wonderful to hear.

Our next stop was McAlister's for lunch. A few more "Is this Momma and Aunt and baby out for lunch?" comments. When the manager stopped by the table to ask if we needed anything, he had to ask if we were sisters of course but then asked, "So, who has the real hair color?" Weird.

While at lunch, Eden had to share her fun new "toy" - a plastic lid - with her Aunt Whitney ...

... and then show off her new trick of standing up in the car ...

Eden must have been worn out from all the excitement because she fell asleep in the car on the way home. We took turns running into a few other stores on the way to the house. Then traded favors while Eden took a nap in her room ...

You know how sometimes you look in your closet and think "I have nothing to wear"? Well, I definitely felt that way. So while I hemmed a pair of Whit's pants, she put together some outfits for me from my own clothes, completely hung with accessories on individual hangers. How amazing is that? I got compliments on the outfits for days and didn't have to spend a minute thinking about what to wear for work - love it. Don't know how she can take a quick look through in just a few minutes and then pull all sorts of things together I'd never ever think off. Thank you, Whit!!

Even though Graham and I tried to convince her to stay another day, she said she needed to get home to see her hubby. S,o we let her go. Eden already misses you Aunt Whitney - can't wait to see you on Saturday! 143!