They aren't technically my babies so much as they are my baby cousins. My already giant, Greek family added another baby to the bunch after a 15-year break. However, I could not have been more thrilled to give up my spot as the 'baby' to the sweetest face I had ever seen. Up first was James.

He was truly a regular Gerber baby. With legs fatter than sticks of butter and a smile that could make your heart melt on sight, we took to each other immediately. He must have spent the first six months of his life in my arms more than anywhere else. Fast forward to now, he has the quickest wit of any 3-year-old on this side of the world. He can talk you into cookies and milk in a way that leaves you believing it was your idea. He's as strong as an ox and tests the boundaries of this strength daily--enter Will.

After a year and a half of a world full of James, baby William came along. He had a face as sweet as sugar and loved to be held while he slept. Nowadays Will can be found playing the part of James's shadow or 'reading' a book to himself in his very own language. He has a loving spirit and most definitely milks the part of being the baby of the family. I can't blame him, though, as I did the same thing for 15 years (and I wasn't even this cute!).

The truth of the matter is that I relate to these two little monkeys more than anyone else on this earth. Our sleepovers are filled with nothing but happiness, laughter, and lots and lots of popcorn. They fill me up from head to toe with a love and purpose that I never knew I needed. Their reliance and trust in me lift me up to the heavens, and their bear hugs only sweeten the deal. As we continue to grow together in such different ways, I find myself learning to be more intentional in my own life with the knowledge that they are looking up to me.

They inspire me to be the carefree child that I once was and to always remember to treat others how I want to be treated. I can only be seen eating my appropriate share of vegetables when I'm in their presence which in turn gets them to eat their veggies too. They relay stories from the bible to me that I'm ashamed I don't know better, which returns the admiration they have for me.

As the saying goes, you can't pick your family.

One thing I'm certain of; God sure picked these two especially for me.