A Public Service Announcement

I have the cutest, sweetest nephew in the whole entire world. Like a good auntie, I firmly believe in cornering innocent bystanders and showing them pictures of the kid. It seems that after a mere eight months of Tommy's life, I have more pictures of him than of my whole childhood; now the only questions is how to get all those pictures back to Mongolia while keeping my suitcases within the airline weight limits. Perhaps I should forgo some of the extra clothing items I was planning on taking. Who really needs long underwear in -30 degree weather, anyway?

And now, a few words to the kid: Thomas, you are sweet and fun and cuddly and adorable. Just because Auntie is going away for a while doesn't mean she doesn't love you. True, I will miss your first steps, your first words, and your first birthday, but I made it for your first Christmas and your first teeth; I was your first evening babysitter--your parents went to a Giants game for your Daddy's birthday. Even though I don't get to see you most of the year, in the summer I get to spend lots of time with you! Plus, I give you bragging rights--how many other kids will be able to say that they know where Mongolia is, much less that they have an aunt who lives there. Monkey, I love you so much--don't you ever forget it!