My Monster You'll Be

Dear Skye,

I have spent the last three months seeing you at least three times a week. Months before that I saw you at least once a week. For the last 7 days I have not seen you once or taken you for Auntie time once. It is killing me! If I had more time in the day I would swing by the house just to love on you, but I am crazy busy lately and there is just not enough time in the day or days in the week! 

I was so excited to see you at Sunday School this morning. I walked into your classroom after class to just find MeMe cleaning up and you no where in sight... You are sick! That makes me miss you even more! Feel better love bug. 

I read a book tonight to one of my babysitting kids. It's called "I'll Love You Forever". It's about a Mom who rocks her son when he falls asleep at night no matter how old or big he is. She rocks him and says every time "I love you forever, I like you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be". Although I am not your Mama, 

I will love you forever, I like you always, as long as I'm living, my monster you'll be! 

I am your Auntie and nothing will ever change that! 

Love you for always, 

Auntie Cay 

I took you to Sara Goff Photography again this year! It was so much fun! You are getting so much older so it was a little harder to keep a secret but the power of M&M's is amazing!

You are beautiful! 

I love you! 

{Fall 2012} 

{Three Year Old Pictures} 

Fall of 2012

It's been about a month and half since I last blogged about our time together!
So much has happened!!

Dear Skye,

It's November! We celebrated your birthday or as you said "my happy day" last weekend. You turned three! That is mind blowing to me. My sweet, sassy, monster is growing up fast!

Your birthday party was a blast. Your MeMe and Grandpa opened up their house like they do every year for your entire family (both sides) to celebrate your happy day. I was so touched to see you picked out an owl themed birthday. It was purple and pink  with an owl banner, table cloth, paper plates, cups, and napkins. I stole one to save :)

You had a great time opening gifts and running around playing with family members you only see a few times a year. I adore your mother and father for being big enough people to have ONE party for you. You are lucky to have parents who may not be together but make an effort to do things together for you. You will one day understand the impact that has on you!!

The day after your real birthday was Halloween. I had Jacob & Nikki to take trick-er-treating, so you and Mommy met us up at the square to start the night off together! You went as a which. It was adorable with your orange and black tutu , black tights, and sneakers. The hat wouldn't stay on, but it was still cute! I very much enjoyed watching you go up asking for candy then thanking them. You are getting so big!!

Lately, everytime you see me you welcome me with a big smile and squeel "Auntie Cay!". That puts a light in me heart! I love you!

Before your happy day and halloween, you and I spent 3-4 days together. Your MeMe and Grandpa were working and your Mommy was in school. I enjoyed all our time together. It was a the highlight of me day! Now that the DQ is closed for the season, MeMe is home, but I think I'll be stealing you a few times a week still!!

At the end of September I stopped by the house on night for the heck of it. You were running around exploring everything while Mommy, MeMe, and I sat at the kitchen table chatting. Those moments are some of my favorite. I consider your family to be my family too, and I look back on those times that we all sit and babble as some of the best moments. We were chatting about your family and how Mommy and your Auntie Amanda had some recent bumps in thier relationship. I encouraged Mommy to work it out since your Auntie Amanda has been so close to your Mommy since Mommy was your age. While we were talking your Mommy stopped and said we wanted to ask you something Auntie Cay. She went on to ask if I would be your 2nd God Mother. I almost started crying on the spot- and you know I don't cry easily! The fact that your family would want me to be your God Mother is touching. A moment I will cherish forever.

I love you to the moon and back, SkyeLeigh Rae. You have touched my life forever and I am so thankful that God sent you! You are a precious child of God and I want nothing but the best for you. Keep smiling and keep loving.

I will always love you,
Auntie Cay

Lots of Time

Dear Skye (Monster),

Well, it's been awhile since I last blogged about you! But we sure have been spending loads of time together.

You have started school which means on Mondays & Wednesdays I still get you like normal, but now I pick you up from school, we eat together, then I drop you off with Naan, because I have class at 1pm.

You are being tossed around in my crazy schedule, but seem to be doing pretty well with it. You still will not nap with me, which drives me crazy cause . you are a booger without the nap, and 2. because you spend so much time in the car I can not believe you don't conk out! But none the less it is my mission to make you take a nap for now on! At least on Mondays and Wednesday when you are with me for long hours.

Your language is growing like crazy. Lately you have been swearing. Very amusing, horrible though. HA. The other day you started chanting "Jerry, Jerry, Jerry". Made me laugh for a solid five minutes.

Your birthday is coming up! Holy Moly you are almost three!! I am so excited for a few surprises coming up - but more to come on that later!

Right now you are tearing up the office so I better get off and tame you. You are such a monster- so smart, so funny, and so crazy!!

Love you so much!!
Auntie Kay

Unexpected Moments

Dear SkyeLeigh, 

Yesterday it turned out I spent the majority of the day with you & your family. I had some time to kill before a car show I was going to with my good friend and stopped by to see the Browns. It had been awhile since I saw you, your mom, your Meme, & the rest of the fam. 

It was a great couple of hours talking to your family members. Grandma Karen even came over which was nice to catch up with her! 

I had to leave a for a short while to do something for my mom, but returned later. It turned out Meme had to work at the car show for Dairy Queen & Mommy was planning on going up with you later. Because I have very little patience for large crowds of people, I asked if I could park my car at your house and drive with Meme. Mommy had plans with a friend before the show, and Meme had some stuff to do, so I offered to take you to the park. 

It was a beautiful day out. We walked from your house to the park at Dean Street School. It was great walk. You rode in your stroller and we talked about the things we heard and saw as we walked. When we got to the park you were so well behaved. 

You decided to ride on the big kid swings. I sat down on the swing next to you. We both sat on the swings, swaying back and forth, kicking our feet, just chatting away. We talked about friends, and starting school again. We talked about the dogs we heard & the squirrels that ran back and forth. It was a nice moment that we shared together. 

At the car show you twirled and danced around the entire time! We went and visited Grandpa Gino & Mitch at their parking spot. You showed them how you danced. At one point the car next to Grandpa Gino's got in your way. You slapped that car! I, of course, yelled at you! You looked at the car with the sweetest face and said "I sorry, Car". It was hilarious! I may be bias, but you are too darn cute! 

Those are the moments I live for. You are starting your 2nd year of preschool in a few weeks & you are growing up so much! I can't wait to spend more time with you tomorrow! 

Until next time, 

Love Auntie 

Chicken Butt & Sass

Dear SkyeLeigh, 

Today I had you again. We spent the day at my house ..or as you say "Chris's House" {My Mom}. 

You were sassy today, like normal, but just a bit more. I asked you to finish your chicken nugget before you could be done with lunch. You proceeded to ramble on, pointing your finger, rolling your eyes, and shaking your head. All I understood you saying was "want a time-out?" At one point you grabbed my hand and started leading me towards the corner! hah! Very comical! But not okay for a two-almost-three year old.! It was hard not to laugh, but eventually you served a time-out, finished your chicken nugget, and happily resumed exploring the house. 

I dug out my old Barbies for you today. I had some organizing to do, so I needed something other than the iPod PBS apt to occupy you! You played with the old Barbies for what seemed like hours! Turned out it was just enough time for me to get my "to do list" complete. It is very fun for me to be dragging out old toys of mine, from when I was your age. I can't wait to make you your own little bin for when you are at "Auntie's House". 

After I finished my "chores" I was sitting on the sofa in my room on my MAC when you decided to come join me. You decided to call me a butthead. Earlier, you had said it, with a big smile on your face, laughing a big belly laugh. This time, however, you had the meanest face ever. And were dead serious, you were mad! I have no idea what sparked it, but it was on! ha! You were put into time-out. After three minutes I told you, you can get out when you come up to me and say sorry. You are one stubborn child!!! You sat there for twenty minutes rolling around. When you would get a glimpse of me watching you, you quickly sat up, back in the proper time-out position.  Finally I got down on the floor and sat with you. I explained that when you call people mean names it hurts them. Just like hitting hurts a person, mean words hurts the heart. I pointed to your heart. You understood then, or was tired of sitting on the floor. Cause you said sorry, kissed me, hugged me, and then said 

"Guess what....?" 

"What, Skye" 

"CHICKEN BUTT" hahahahahaha 

I had some good music on and you left me on the floor and started twirling around like the ballerina I know you one day will be! You, SkyeLeigh Rae, are a blessing from God. Good or bad, you are the light of so many people's lives ...including mine. 

Love, Auntie! 

{July 26th, 2012} 

3 months until you are 3 years old! 

End of July

Dear, SkyeLeigh,


Last week you & I spend the day together! It had been a few weeks since I had seen you last so I was excited to get you. I also noticed how much older you had become in just a few weeks. I walked in that morning and you greeted me "Look Auntie. I have stuff on my lips!"You had just put chapstick on. 


We started our day at the square meeting my friend for a coffee date. You got a muffin and some nasty Starbucks juice and I got my coffee. We headed to the middle of the square so I could chat & you could run around. At one point I thought you were going to get your head stuck in the railings at the gazebo, but overall you were so good & found plenty of things to occupy yourself. 


After our coffee date we went to preschool where my mom was working.  You decided you were going to work. You sat down at the extra desk in the office and started writing on the calendar and typing on the keyboard. It was hilarious! After you got board at work I gave you my mom's phone where you watched Elmo! 


We left the office and went to Washington Street Station for lunch with my mom, dad, and brother. You were dead quiet at lunch. All you did was watch PBS kids and makes faces at my dad & brother. Of course you were hilarious! 


After lunch we went to my house. I had some packing to do for a trip with my friends that I was leaving for that night. You found stuff to do. You played with my knick knacks and you found my camera and decided to take pictures of me. 


Of course I managed to find time to take pictures of you. It had been awhile since I got some good pictures of you! You looked so grown up to me. Your language has expanded so much! You are growing up so much and I am enjoying watching every minute of it! 


Love, Auntie! 

Picture Perfect Moments. Beginning to Now

The First Page Entry.

Dear SkyeLeigh, 


I can remember the day I found out about you. I had just come home from school and my mom was not home like she normally was. When she did get home, you could tell something was different. She sat down with Andi & I and very calmly said "this does not leave our house.. but Dylan's pregnant" my mouth dropped, followed by my stomach. 


But from that moment on I could not imagine you anywhere else. The 1st time I saw your Mommy pregnant was late August when Prime Time at church had started again. I was walking down the hall and looked into the classroom your Mom was sitting in. Again my stomach hit the floor. My heart broke because I could feel the stares she was getting. But I could also see the strength your Mommy had. She held her head high and didn't let it bother her! 


Those last few months of your Mommy's pregnancy I spent Wednesdays in a preschool classroom with her for a few hours. That time together is when the connection between your Mommy & I grew and the connection between you & I started. 


Your baby shower was when it became real for me. Before that, it was just a story, just another baby that I knew about "coming soon". But as I sat in that dining room eating finger food, I realized that your Mommy was about to face the biggest job of her life. Every gift she opened made your existence that much more known. 


The week you were due was one of the most exciting, yet nerve racking weeks of my life. And I had nothing to do with it, ha :). Everyone was excited to meet you, but you entering this world meant everything was officially changed. The night you were born  I was sitting outside at my friends house, gripping my phone, praying to God that reception would come through. I would have been at the hospital, but Auntie does not do well at hospitals. ;) Plus most people were not allowed on the baby floor because of something called the "Swine Flu" that was going around. Weirdest thing EVER! When a simple text of a picture of you came through, I sat there for what seemed like forever. I just stared at you. The journey had begun. 


The day you came home from the hospital I rushed over to meet you! The moment I held you I fell in love with you. And that love has grown more and more every day since. I remember hours after leaving your house, I was at a gas station all alone and I started chocking up. I had no idea then what kind of blessing you were, but I knew destiny awaited you and I was so blessed to be apart of it! 


I like to think I truly became Auntie Cayla the day I sang for you. It was a little before you turned one. And Mommy & Meme had asked me to sing at your baptism. The song I sang was "I was There to Hear Your Borning Cry" That was one of the best moments of my life. For one, I had never sang at Church, and very few people knew I was capable of singing. Your baptism was like a "coming out" show for me, - just not in the typical sense ;). I sang every line with the most passion and honesty I could ever display. The words to your song are as followed: 

"I was there to hear your borning cry,

I'll be there when you are old.I rejoiced the day you were baptized,to see your life unfold.I was there when you were but a child,with a faith to suit you well;In a blaze of light you wandered offto find where demons dwell.""When you heard the wonder of the WordI was there to cheer you on;You were raised to praise the living Lord,to whom you now belong.If you find someone to share your timeand you join your hearts as one,I'll be there to make your verses rhymefrom dusk 'till rising sun."In the middle ages of your life,not too old, no longer young,I'll be there to guide you through the night,complete what I've begun.When the evening gently closes in,and you shut your weary eyes,I'll be there as I have always beenwith just one more surprise.""I was there to hear your borning cry,I'll be there when you are old.I rejoiced the day you were baptized,to see your life unfold."

Now two years and several months later I am here recalling events. You SkyeLeigh Rae are destined for greatness. I once looked up your name. Skye means "Scholar". Leigh means "Nature". And Rae means "Meadow". The thing I found interesting is you have always been 8 weeks or more ahead of the game. You, Skye, are brilliant!  


Now, I may be a little bias, but you are a hilarious little child. You are truly your Mother's child. You may have more attitude then a black diva! Your courageous Mother has given you the backbone of a giant and the mouth of fire & brimstone preacher! That quality will get you many places in life. But what sets you apart is you have the heart of your Meme. I have known your Meme since I was about 4. She has become my 2nd Momma. As long as I can remember, Meme is concerned about anyone and everyone, before herself. Her heart is bigger then life itself. From the moment you could walk you ran around kissing everyone! If someone is hurt or upset you are concerned about their well being. You are the best of the two most important woman in your life. 


Throughout the last three years I have lived through moments and memories with you. I often reflect on how blessed I am to have come to know and love you. You have taught me far more then any other child has, and what amazes me about it all - you were not suppose to be here. You were not planned, you were not expected, you represented a journey not many woman are ready for. But you were and are exactly what was needed. You were welcomed into so much love! And life would not be as half as interesting without your smiles, laughter, and looks. 


This is a journal that I pray and hope one day you can read. You are the biggest blessing anyone could ask for. Every moment with you is a precious gift from God & I don't want to miss a thing! 


Love, Auntie 

{July 13, 2012} 

2 years 9 months