"Family" vs. "Relatives"

So this is sort of a vent. The nice thing about this blog right now is my loved ones don't really know about it so it's like a place I can say things without worrying about people reading it and judging or getting hurt over anything I say. Not that I have hurtful thoughts towards anyone.. Anyway I'm ranting and this is supposed to be venting.

I gave birth to my son on September 22nd 2012. My mom and grandma came down that night before he was born and stayed with me for a few days. My sister came down once on November 17th. That was the last time I've seen her.

I would randomly send her and my mom pics and videos of my son. They'd always respond and be like "how cute!" and whatnot. My mom calls me almost every Sunday just to see how things are going.

Now, I've never really been the type that felt the need to chat all the time to "stay in touch" with people. But I'm pretty hurt that my sister never calls to see how her nephew is doing. I am not sure her husband likes me, because there was once a misunderstanding of them coming down to visit and me wanting to postpone and them getting upset over it. (Long story, maybe I'll post about it later).

So cut to a couple months ago, I drive up to Los Angeles every other week, and for awhile I'd stay there for 2 days to work. Usually I stay at my moms house but this time I wanted a change of scenery.

I text my sister to see if I could stay there and the excuse she gives me is that their apartment is too small and the bathroom is an issue in the morning because they both get ready to go to work at the same time.

Is it just me or is that a lame excuse? I could've just gotten up earlier than them to get ready, or even later - do they not trust me to stay at their place while they aren't there? I feel like even offering to have me stop by for a little would have been another option on her behalf but she didn't even care I was going up there.

Anyway, I just responded "OK". The next text I got from her was a work question. Then nothing for a while. I sent her a card for her birthday in March. She said thanks in text. Still nothing from her asking how her nephew is.

Now we are going up there in May and I asked if her and her hubby can stop by and say hello. She said she'd be there but automatically didn't think he could make it because he "works late and might not want to do the family thing".

To sum it all up, I now understand the concept of "family" and "relatives". Relatives are people who are born in your kin. Family are the people around you that show you support and genuinely want to know that you are doing well. And just as a side note, I had texted her at one point to see how she was doing, and she said they were doing well but I didn't get a "how are you?" back.

End vent.