My Life without Erik: My niece, Chandler

11 years ago today, I fell in love for the first time.

11 years ago today, I became an aunt.

11 years ago today, my niece, Chandler Brooke, was born.

I can remember that day like it was yesterday. I can actually remember the births of my nieces and nephews about as good as I remember birthing my own children.

Chandler was the first niece and also the first grandchild, so she was much awaited for. My sister, Jennifer, called us early the morning of February 2, 2001 and told us she was in labor and being as excited as we were, we all took off to the hospital. I think we were all there by 6 or 7 a.m. I missed my classes that day, but I didn't care. I was beyond excited to welcome this sweet little baby into our family.

After laboring all day, it was finally decided that Chandler was too big for my sister to birth vaginally, so she had to have a c-section. I can't remember the exact time Chandler was born, but I know it was late. Jennifer was so out of it from the meds she received that she didn't have a clue she was even in the world - let alone the fact that she had just had a baby. The nurses kept Chandler in the nursery for a good while and everybody finally decided to go home and just come back when they could see Chandler and when Jennifer was awake.

Not this aunt right here though. I refused to leave until I held that baby!! I finally got to hold her around 1 a.m. and it was the best feeling in the world. She was the most beautiful and chubby little girl I had ever seen. I made sure to let everyone know that I was the first one to hold her too!! I rubbed it in all of their faces! LOL I still tease most of them about it to this day.

I made it a point to visit Chandler every single day when she was brand new. When Jennifer went back to work, my Mom kept Chandler so I continued to see her every single day. I loved her like she was my own and took care of her any chance that I got. I spoiled her rotten!

I can remember when she was between 7 - 9 months old, I would let her taste anything that I was eating. Her Mama couldn't stand it, but I thought it was hilarious. I remember giving her doughnuts, snickers, peanut butter - anything she wanted, she knew she could get it from me.

Here we are 11 years later and I can hardly believe the beautiful, intelligent, young lady that Chandler has become. She excels in school and has dreams of being on the gymnastics squad at the University of Georgia. I fully believe that I'll be watching her on TV one day. She's getting so tall and is determined to be taller than me one day. At the rate she's growing, it won't be long.

This post is dedicated to you baby girl. Boo-Boo loves you so very much and I can't wait to see what all you'll accomplish in life! You are amazing. You are beautiful. You are so smart. And today is your day! Happy Birthday!!