Hello everyone I am back from my short absence. I guess I have had writer's block in one way or another. I was going to write about Christmas but I decided to wat until closer to the day. Then I realized that exactly one week before Christmas there is another very special day....My cute little neice's birthday. So I am going to write about her through the eyes of an uncle.

It was December 18th of 1997 when I heard the news. My step-sister had just given birth to a baby girl. I was so excited especially when I heard her name, Katelyn. It was a name I had always really liked. I always wanted to be the cool uncle that they knew would spoil them and now I could be. The only problem was the first time I saw her I was afraid to hold her. She was so small and cute and I was so afraid of my clumsiness. I didn't want to hurt her so I held her only for short times. She was so adorable, I just stared at her and smiled. Unfortunately my fear caused me to avoid holding her much something I regret now that she is getting bigger by the day.

A few months went by and Katey-Bug got bigger and then began to crawl. She was finally at a size that I was comfortable holding, but of course she was also at the stage of not liking strange guys and I am as strange as they get. Slowly she warmed up to me but only enough to let me play with her toys. She was looking more and more like a small child instead of a baby and she was still adorable.

Then finally shortly after her second Birthday she finally let me hold ner for an extended amount of time. We were all at my Dad's wedding on January 1st, 2000 when after the wedding she came over to me to have me hold her. We walked around the court house and looked at everything there was to see there. We even got our picture taken. It is probably my favorite picture with me in it, actually it is one of the few I even like of me, but that is only because of Katey. She even let me hold her for a while at the reception. After this when ever I was around she hardly left my side. I was finally the cool uncle, all that was left was the spoiling.

I try to find something for her whenever I go on my trips for work and usually succeed. I had gotten her into Scooby Doo when I bought her the talking stuffed toy for Christmas one year. She is very easy to buy for because she seems to like everything that is given to her. This year she is in her Britney Spears phase so that will make her even easier to buy for.

You should see her "be Britney" it is so cute. She imitates her dances and sings "Oops I did it again". Personally I can't stand the song unless Katey is singing it. She bounces around singing and dancing. It is precious. She even attempts to teach her dual left footed uncle how to do it. I must say she is much better than I am but it is fun just the same.

I will continue to treasure that awesome little bundle of energy as long as I can. It is so cool to watch her grow up but at the same time it is depressing because even though you know she will grow up to be a wonderful young lady you don't want to see this cute tiny little girl leave. I am sure my parents felt that way when I was growing up and I know Tera is feeling it now but Bug will grow up to be a wonderful lady. All I can do now is just sit back and enjoy being here to see it happen. Hopefully someday she will get to see this and know just how much her Uncle Adam loves her.

Don't grow up too fast, Katelyn. Enjoy every moment of your life because it is only here once and there are no second chances. Remember that you are whoever you want to be. Always Remember that I love you.

Later,
Uncle Coopedaddy