Little Big Fan

I love both my nephews in equal measure. As an aunt, while I’m allowed to pick a favorite, I think it’ll be best to say that I’m guilty of loving the other more during a specific stage in their life.

Right now, this little one takes the cake.

Before I carry on, let me say that Gavin will always be my first love. It is with him that I have learned all there is when it comes to loving a child unconditionally. From the very first day I set eyes on him, I knew right then and there that I will be loving that baby forever. Being the first nephew and grandchild in our family, every single one of us has showered him all the love and attention. Even when Liam came in the picture when he was three, that love is something that nobody can take away from him.

Gavin @ 3

But lately, the younger one is winning because I’ve never seen someone who thinks the world of me as much as my sweet boy. Ask anyone at home and they’ll all tell you how much my little butterball adores me and how he’s tita Vayie-this and tita Vayie-that. Now that I’m home all day, Liam is like an appendage that’s attached to me and follows me everywhere.

While he’s naturally an affectionate boy to everyone that you’d hardly catch him in a bad mood, it’s not hard to see that he’s particularly close and clingy to me. Maybe because I spoil him and his kuya as much as I could and because I have so much patience listening to what he has to say. Never mind if it’s about something I absolutely know nothing of.

Tita's Roblox tutorial

Liam, by the end of every workday, jumps to my bed and gives me a big, loving squeeze. When I ask him why he’s with me (instead of, say, playing Bingo in the other room) he’d simply answer, “Kasi gusto ko kay Tita Vayie eh.” (because I like being with Tita Vayie). And while my “me time” is one thing I look forward to because that’s the only time I can either watch TV or compose a blog post in peace, I can’t seem to stop the kid when he comes in the room and starts babbling.

I know that time will come I’ll miss it all when he gets older as I’ve realized that recently with Gavin (who’s nearing his adolescence). Even if he’s still a fairly affectionate boy, over time he developed his own mien. Gavin now has different interests, hobbies, and varying temperaments. He enjoys it more being in the company of Momon (my older brother) as he can talk about toys and guys’ stuff with him. Many times I have to ask him for a hug and had to remind him to kiss me good night because he’s no longer as expressive when he was younger. Most days you’d see him on the couch, playing with his cellphone, almost oblivious of my presence.

So now while Liam is still my number one fan, you bet I am going to enjoy it till somebody topples me as my nephew’s favorite person.

***

I’ve always had a hands-on approach when it comes to my nephews. Not only that I babysit and watch over them when their parents are away, but I also make it a point to play with them. As in, make-believe, pretend play. These days Liam loves our playtime so much he looks forward to it every day. He doesn’t like it when I’m merely an audience, he wants me involved—as his playmate. By five o'clock in the afternoon onwards, my single bed transforms into his ship traveling to many parts of the world. Sometimes I'm the captain but more often he prefers it more that I’m the hungry shark lurking on the floor.

When I’m not in the mood, tired or feeling standoffish for whatever reason, and I tell him that I can’t play, Liam would give me the sad and disappointed look which makes me feel so guilty that I’d end up giving in.

Just a few nights ago, while playing cellphone on my bed he sat up and said, “Tita Vayie, ikaw ang best friend ko.”

***

It’s weird how it seems he had picked-up his tita’s likes and idiosyncrasies as well, without me ever forcing it to him. Liam would watch Marvel movies and other famous film series with me. I think he’s the only four-year-old that could sit through an English movie or TV show (yes, he even watches shows from the Crime & Investigation Network with me) and actually prefers it over Filipino. It can get irritating when he asks a lot of questions that sometimes I would have to pretend to be asleep just for him to stop.

Liam also likes the kind of songs I like, even if it’s way before his time. Again, not much on the Filipino or Tagalog songs. This is not because I encourage him, but it is his preference and perhaps even an acquired taste. My Facebook friends have been given a sample of his videos covering songs by no less than Freddie Mercury himself.

Even if we don’t converse to him in English, Liam has a knack for using English expressions he hears on TV, movies, songs, and YouTube on everyday conversations.  When he’s not sure of the expression, he’d ask, “Tita Vayie, pwede ang “what the hell”?” (Tita Vayie, can I say “what the hell”?). Of course, I tell him what’s not appropriate to say and remembers it by heart you won’t hear him say it even if you twist his arm.

Most of the time, my mom would be very surprised (but so pleased) when Liam blurts out something in straight English with perfect pronunciation. People think he got it from me—but not really. He just watches a lot of videos and picks up so easily.

Liam will be turning five next month and whether I like it or not, in two or three years' time I would be eventually dethroned by someone else as his best friend. But there’s no denying that onceupontime he adores me so much; so much so that while watching Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass” video yesterday and I asked him,

“Maganda ba si Nicki Minaj?”

He looks at Nicki for a few seconds and then smiles, “Mas maganda ka, Tita Vayie.”

While I wasn’t expecting that answer, it made me so happy. I mean, for him to see me as beautiful, even if I packed the quarantine weight and looking like shamu lately? How could he not be my favorite?