a week with the little man!

I've been away... obviously.  And I have chronic writer's block... I get to the end of my rope sometimes and give up on trying to make sense of a post.  Then I let so many days get away from me that I just think "what's the use!?" Then, I have an emotional breakdown because I haven't had my dose of blog therapy and I wonder why I do it to myself. 

I don't even know what all I have to catch everyone up on.  But lots of you follow me on Twitter and I still get my tweet on so you know I'm alive and... busy!

I went to Birmingham last weekend for Grayson's baby dedication.  I wasn't supposed to get there until late Thursday and leave Sunday afternoon.  BUT, at breakfast on the MONDAY before... I got a wild hair and changed my flight for that afternoon.  In two hours I was packed and checked in at the Southwest Airlines terminal.  I got to spend almost an entire week with the little man!

We had some very special Aunt Sissy time. We already have such a neat relationship! I brought Ash & Tyler some movie vouchers to lure them out on a date one night - which allowed me to spoil little precious for a few hours all to myself!  It was so much fun!  They went to dinner and a movie (only their second date since he was born 3 months ago) while Grayson and I played, watched the CMA's, danced, sang songs, and changed a lot of diapers!!  We had one "blow-out" but nothing Aunt Sissy couldn't handle.  I am grateful for my couple years as a 'nanny' in college for teaching me how to change a diaper super fast... but those little boy wee-wee's will get you when you aren't looking! ;)

Ashley was better about blogging than I was while I was there.  Check out her baby posts at her blog!

Mom and Dad flew in on that Thursday - when I was supposed to travel with them - and on Saturday some of our family from North Carolina came in.  It was so fun!  I loved seeing everyone's expression when they saw how much he has grown since we welcomed him into the world on August 16th.  It hurts my heart that I am not there to see him grow each day... but his Mom and Daddy keep me updated with plenty of pictures and videos.  And of course, we've got Grayson on Skype now too! :)

Sunday was the dedication and the purpose of us all being there.  It was such a memorable experience to witness my sister and her husband dedicate their life to raising their child in a Godly home.  Grayson was absolutely HANDSOME!

Grayson caught his first (of MANY!) Tar Heel basketball games while we were there.  The Jones side of his family are diehard Tar Heels (it's the other side of the family that dressed him in that Gamecock attire up there) and we watched the Carrier Classic on Veteran's Day as a family.  The game was between Michigan State and UNC on board the USS Vinson - such an amazing tribute!

I seriously am nephew-obsessed!!!

Anyways, that's where I was last week and then this week I just ignored catching up. Sorry!

Now, I'm enjoying a week with the boyfriend in Florida! Love how he's always willing to come see me.  We absolutely ROCK the whole long-distance thing!

I'll write more later.  Just wanted to catch you up on my little boogie boy!

peace and love

xoxo

BAILY

Aunt Sissy

My sister and Grayson came to visit Florida.  He rode on his very first airplane to Orlando last week.

 I was in Charlotte being a little Nascar Queen for the first couple of days of their trip, but as soon as I got back I had him spoiled with all kinds of Aunt Baily lovin'.  Here are a few pics of our time together so far! :)

peace & love

Aunt Sissy

That was a long time gone.

Oh my goodness, it feels good to be posting again.  I'm sure I seemed like a lost cause of a Blogger while I was away for almost 3 weeks but I have been on the go and out of town for two solid weeks.  I guess you can say there is a lot to catch up on but I'll try to make this update as short and sweet as possible.  Yeah, right.

I promise I'll try. 

I went to Charlotte for the first week of my two week hiatus from normal life.  I have been blessed with a pretty awesome relationship, as of late and I was there visiting Sheldon.  He is a friend from way back in the day that I have always had a great relationship with.  He moved away to Charlotte about a year after we met in middle school but we remained close friends throughout all the years. His family's visits back home to Orlando allowed for a steady friendship and a memorable past filled with stories that no other group of friends could ever hold a candle to. These friends were special... and the tragic loss of one of them brought us all back together a few weeks ago.  In spite of the unfortunate circumstances, the one we lost too soon was the one who finally had it his way - Greg brought Sheldon and I together in a relationship kind of way while we were back in the same place at the same time.  Life does that.  Crazy beautiful...

So I spent a solid week of happiness with my best friend who I have a newfound love for.  I am the happiest girl in the world.

On top of all that serendipity, I witnessed the most amazing miracle a week ago today.  My sister and Tyler brought the most beautiful baby boy I have ever seen into the world and into our family on August 16, 2011.  Grayson Coleman Little weighed 7lb. 9oz. and was 19.5in long.  At first sight, I was absolutely in love with everything about him.  I may or may not be boo-whooing right now.  But seriously, I have never seen anything so amazing in my entire life.  I can only imagine what it will be like through the eyes of Ashley - looking at you and your soulmate's perfect creation.  I am so proud of them... I have utmost respect and admiration for them as a couple and now, a family.  They are true children of God and now they are parents and are experiencing the kind of love that God has for us as they look at their own child.  I am just in heaven as I watch my sister become this amazing mother.  I never doubted her, she pretty much did the job as my second mother my whole life so she ought to have it down pat. ;)

I just love my new role as an "Aunt"... I am was the baby of the family so I never knew what it was like to have a little brother or sister.  Being an older sibling just wasn't in the hand I was dealt.  I was the younger sibling.  I dreamed of this time in my life for so long... when I would have a special bond with my older sister's child... the way she had an incredible love and special bond with me as her little sister.  I couldn't wait until the day I was to be able to begin watching a new member of my family grow up.  I was jealous of friends that had younger siblings that they were able to witness this miracle with.  My miracle came and I can't explain the love I have for him.  It is life-changing, to say the least.

Check out Sissy's blog and get all the baby talk from her.  She's got the cutest baby in the world who has the most precious baby nursery I've ever seen and the most amazing, Godly parents in the entire world.  Grayson is so blessed and they are so blessed because of him.  I could go on and on.. I am already, aren't I?

Tell me what y'all have been up to while I've been off falling in love and becoming Aunt Sissy.  Can't wait to catch up on everyone else's blogs!  Sorry I've been Miss Sketchball.  Love y'all lots!

Peace & Love

Baily