It's Days Like Today...

It's days like today.  A lazy Saturday morning at the beginning of summer.  One of those days a mother would like to spend with her daughter.  I realize that we are fortunate to be able to see each other as much as we do with you living over a thousand miles away, but still...I miss you.  I miss that you are not able to just run over for a morning cup of coffee and perhaps pancakes.  I miss that you will not be sitting out by the pool with me today.  I miss you.

It's days like today that I wish you were here to just mindlessly chat with me about nothing of importance.  To sit and read magazines or perhaps start a craft project together that we would set aside and never finish.  Just your presence here would make the world right.  Did I tell you that I really miss you?

It's days like today when we are preparing to attend a friend's wedding tonight that I wish you were here.  For us to talk about what we are going to wear to the event and you then asking me which shoes you could borrow.  I would, of course, make room for you in my bathroom so we could do our make-up together and you would be scrounging through my eye shadow collection to see which one would look best on you.  And then we would hit the reception, visiting with old friends, taking in the decoration scheme and waiting for the wedding cake to be cut.  It's days like this that I miss you more than I can say.

It's days like today when every minute is not filled with activity.  When I am still and have more time on my hands to think than is good for anyone that I miss you most.  When I am preparing my Sunday pot roast a day ahead of time that I remember that there will be an empty spot at the table tomorrow.  But then I remember something very important; God has a purpose for everything.  He is teaching me something through these days when everything is not "perfect" in my eyes.  His eyes have perfect vision, this I know and trust Him to know what is best for us.  He only asks us to trust Him although we may not understand what He has in store for us.  And even in this trust and faith, my human nature causes me to still miss you and that is OK.  It is OK to wish you were here and go to that place in my mind once in a while because I have learned that every moment in life is valuable and not to waste one.  And so as I await our next visit, I will enjoy the simple moments I have with you.  Like a phone call or text message or face time.  I would say that the distance has made my heart grow fonder, but I am sure that is not possible since my love for you has no end already.  It is days like this.  Days like today that I close my eyes and wish that when I wake up it is three years from now.

                                                             I LOVE YOU MORE
                                                                           MOM
                                                                            xxoo

Nothing Prepares You For A Fussy Baby...

Dear Caitlin,
     It has been great getting to see you for about a week out of every month!  The Disney vacation was SO MUCH FUN...however, with everybody there, we didn't get to just sit and visit or have a cup of morning coffee.  But, HEY!  We knew what a BIG, FAT FAMILY VACATION was going to be like.
     I'm sorry that Holli hasn't adjusted to being back home since the vacation, but no one really prepares you for what a fussy baby is like.  Or, for that matter what to do for them when they are fussy. I know she has a new little tooth...

So...Maybe she's cutting the one right next to it??  Oh, so you've tried Tylenol, Gripe Water, Ora Gel, Gas Drops, baby massage?  Hmmm...what about a slightly warm heating pad on her little tummy?  Some white noise?  Pandora?  A warm bath?  Or perhaps even that vacuum cleaner noise that David plays for Beckett on his cell phone?

     Believe me, I know first hand what it feels like to have a fussy baby...or two, or three or four!  Sometimes I now don't even know how I made it.  I know that you are exhausted and most likely at your wits end, not knowing how to get Holli through this little fussy phase.  And I sure wish I lived closer so I could just run over and give you a break. Just the other day, I woke up and told Dad, "Hey, whenever you go to Baton Rouge to play in that golf tournament for the weekend, I think I'll drive up to Caitlin's."  Quickly followed by, "Oh yea...that's right; it takes two days to get to her house (sigh...)."  And so now all I can do is to offer you some advice that will hopefully get you through this time.

When Little Miss Priss gets loud and fussy, just use this time to remember:
1.  This won't last forever.  It is just a phase she is going through that will soon be over.
2.  Crying is the way that babies communicate.  They can't use words yet so this how they tell you
     that they are hungry, wet, sleepy, have a tummy ache or are just plain bored.  HEY!  Admit it...
     sometimes we would also like to communicate in this way and we DO know how to use words.
3.  Although hearing your baby cry is upsetting, crying will not physically hurt them.  Just do what
     you can to comfort them for the moment.
4.  This is where that maternal bonding comes in and the reason why mothers are so fierce in defend-
     their children.  We carried them, cared for them in happy times and sad; we won't let anybody
     mess with our kids.
5.  Babies grow up much quicker than we expect or want them to.  Right now, you might be fighting
     just to keep your head above water; sleep deprived, black circles under your eyes,  a walking            zombie, however, before you know it your baby will be in school.  And then a teenager preparing
     for college and suddenly married and a mommy, herself.  Time passes quickly; enjoy every
     moment (good,bad and ugly...) that you have with your little one.
    

                                      And just remember how much you LOVE this little one.

     Hang on, sweetie, Mom will be there soon to help you out!
                                                                                                     Love You MORE,
                                                                                                                MOM
                                                                                                                 XXOO

Missing My 6 O'Clock Baby (And Mommy...)

Dear Caitlin,
     Five weeks came and went.  I anticipated it for many months and now it is over and in its place are so many memories that I will hold in my heart forever.

I came early and complained often about the weather.  And I'm not gonna lie, I still don't have fond memories of the weather, but I suppose I will look at it as a part of the overall experience.  I'm not sorry that I came early, although Holli decided to come one day past her exact due date.  I'm not sorry because I got to spend those two weeks with you as my only daughter before you became a mother, yourself.  I got to talk with you, laugh with you and anticipate with you the arrival of your first child.  And now...I find myself missing the TWO of you even more than I could ever imagine.

One of the things I miss most is the little "6 O'clock Routine" we had gotten into before I left.  You would feed Holli during the night, but then at 6 O'clock in the morning I would look forward to you bringing her into my room, where I told her all of the secrets of life and then tucked her snugly into the blanket that I had knitted for her, laid her beside me and we both went back to sleep...

I got to be there for a lot of "Firsts", but realize now that I will most likely miss more of them than I get to participate in...so it goes when we are so far apart.  That, however, will not make those "firsts" any less significant in my eyes as a YaYa...

This was on the day of your "first" doctor's appointment.  In two weeks time you  had already gained about a pound in weight and a half an inch in length.  We went out to lunch afterwards and then shopping and here we are in a little coffee shop, where Mommy and I had coffee...and you had milk!

The night before I left was filled with packing my bags, staying up late to watch one last movie with you and getting as many hugs and kisses from Holli as possible.  I knew that the next morning I would not be able to have my "6 O'clock Baby" time; I would, sadly be at the airport by then.  And so, I decided to leave you a message on the refrigerator for when you returned from dropping me off...

And so, now, I find myself waiting for the next text message that might have a picture of Holli or our Skype dates, where I can hear her little grunts and cries and see how much she has grown in this very short time...

Awww...This sad little text message was the first one you sent while I was still at the airport waiting to fly home.  You said that Holli was sad that YaYa was leaving too.

And this is the sweet picture that I took just before we left for the airport; everyone seems to think she looks just like a baby doll here.

"

"Sleeping Beauty"

Oh My, Holli...How you have already grown!  Look at those chubby cheeks; I sure wish I could reach through this screen and kiss them!

Skype...What can I saw about this technological invention?!  Except that I LOVE it!  I like to think that you recognize my face and voice.

No, I'm not gonna lie; this is difficult.  Difficult being so far away from the both of you.  Constantly being in a "waiting state"; waiting for a text message, a phone call, a Skype date, a visit.  But I ANXIOUSLY await these things.  I anticipate the moment that we can get together so I can soak up every new memory.  I miss you both terribly and I can barely wait until we see each other again (here in the SOUTH!)

   Remember that a baby might hold your hand right now, but they will hold you heart forever...

      OR...If you're very fortunate, like me, they will hold your hand AND heart for a LIFETIME!

Loving you girls and missing you terribly!
               Mom/YaYa

 

Finished Baby Furniture...And Awesome Nursery Decorations!

Dear Caitlin,
     The time is getting close now for Holli's arrival.  It seems like this pregnancy has just flown by!  You are now 36 weeks and next month by this time, you will be a mommy...

Dad finally finished all of the furniture and we are about to have it crated and shipped to you...

I think it turned out beautiful and what a great heirloom for Holli to one day pass on to her children!

I can't wait to get there to help you decorate the nursery too; you have made so many cute items for it.  I think that this is YOUR "Nesting" stage (this crafting  until the wee hours of yours...)...

                                                              I LOVE this rug you made.

I'm telling you, you should really make some of these items for your Etsy shop...They are SO CUTE!

Well, I am desperately trying to finish some things up around here so I can possibly fly up there around the 19th.  Ryan is coming in this weekend and I think we are going to drive over to Texas on Saturday so we can order his groom's cake and book the place for the rehearsal dinner.  There is SO much on my agenda these days, but they are good things!  Holli's arrival, Ryan's wedding and then Beckett's arrival.  I am so excited to be there with you...but do you think it might turn spring there too before I come?!  Yea, I didn't think so (sigh...).  Well, I have lots to do but just wanted to drop you a few lines.  I love you and miss you and cannot WAIT to be there with you, even in that miserably COLD weather...(Ahhh, a "Mother's Love" that you will soon know)!
                                                                                       XXOO,
                                                                                        MOM

Hold On, Holli...Don't Come Yet!

Dear Caitlin,
     With your false labor pains and stomach virus last week, you really put us in panic mode...especially your dad, who is desperately trying to finish painting the baby furniture!

                                            OOPS!  He got a little of that paint on his face.

If Holli will just work with me and give me to your 37th week, I think I will be finished up with everything I have to do here and be ready to head there to wait on our sweet baby girl with you.  Along with the furniture that Dad has been working on, I have also been finishing up some knitted items...and, of course, bought a few necessities...like hair accessories!

                            Here's the sweet little hat I knitted her to wear in the hospital.

                               I'm working on the bootees too...hope I get them finished in time!

                 I have one edge left to knit on this little blanket; I can't wait to wrap her up in it!

I got online and checked out the yoga studios there so I can continue with my work-outs while I am there for over a  month; I think I've found one I like and actually spoke to them in an e-mail.  But you know what is really going to get me?  That COLD weather y'all are still having!  Most days it feels like spring here already.  The birds have come out in the morning and started singing and little green shoots of plants are peeking out of the ground.  I know I won't be able to bring my shorts...or even short sleeved shirts, but maybe if I bring my colored jeans it will make it feel like it's spring, if only to the eyes.

By the way, this is the longest we have ever been apart; I haven't seen you since you left here right after Christmas...and by the way, I don't like that!  Even when you were in college in Texas and when you studied that semester in D.C., I saw you more often.  You're just going to have to tell Kevin that after Holli arrives, y'all are going to have to visit me more...after all, she needs to get to know her Poppi and YaYa.  And, as you may or may not know, Poppi has really high expectations for her.  He is always saying, "Holli and Poppi are going to be really tight.  She's going to be my rocking baby...she's going to sleep in our bed with us"...and numerous other things!  Poor little Holli, she doesn't even know what she's in for yet!

Well, I must go now because I have a date with the gym this morning and then it's my day to drive Mam-Maw around, so it is going to be a very busy day for me.  I will, however, try to text or call you later.  I MISS YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK!
                                                                                      Love, Hugs and Kisses,
                                                                                                      MOM

A Sneak Peek Of Baby Holli's Furniture...

Dear Caitlin,
     I has been busy around here with Mam-Maw being hospitalized and me starting to finalize the details on Ryan and Allison's engagement party.  Dad, however, has stayed focused on making Holli's baby furniture.  AND, he has given me permission to actually give a little "Sneak Peek" of his progress...

                       Here's a shot of two of the pieces; the chest of drawers and dressing table.

                                                                 Up close shot of dresser.

                                                        Up close shot of dressing table.

  He actually got the door made for the dressing table this week and is about to put the wicker in it.

  The baby bed is next.  He has been working on the scalloped pieces for the head and foot board.

OH...And look what Mrs. Linda brought over for you.  This was a chair her sister was getting rid of; it is about 50 years old.  Isn't it cute?!

I love this picture of Dad.  The sky had turned a little darker, rain had moved in and a chill was in the air; it sort of cast him in silhouette.  Notice that he moved all of his building items inside the garage.  Hurry up, Poppi!  You still have a bed and bookshelf to build...And then the painting begins!

              Baby Holli is growing more every day and at 31 weeks, the official countdown is on!


I really hope that I get to fly up there to see you one more time before Holli gets here...even if it's only for a few days!  I really do miss you and have missed getting to rub my hand across that growing belly of yours and tell Holli how much Ya Ya loves her. and can't wait to meet her.  Remember, I love you to the moon and back...And that's a very long distance!
                                                          MOM

An Heirloom From Poppi To Baby Holli...

Dear Caitlin,
     As your tummy grows bigger and bigger (finally at the 30 week mark...), I grow more anxious each day to hold sweet Baby Holli in my arms.  And as I have been knitting frantically to finish her little blanket, hats and other items, your dad has been creating an heirloom of his own for his precious little grand daughter too.

When you two began talking about the prospect of Dad making all of Holli's nursery furniture, I knew that he could do it; there was never any doubt about that.  What has surprised me most, however, is the joy it is giving him as he creates it.  You sent him the specifications and he has searched diligently to find Queen Anne legs and wicker and all sorts of things to make this treasured heirloom for Holli,  his only daughter's daughter.

Living in the south does have its perks too; we have had temperatures in the 70's, along with sunshine this week and Dad has set up shop outside of his shop!  There is wood and equipment everywhere and each day he gets up and goes to work.  And the smile...Oh, the smile on his face as he finishes each item.  Then, he calls me out to look at his handiwork closely, pointing out the fine details.    BUT...Part of the deal is that you not see any of the furniture until he delivers it to you.  And you KNOW I am dying to do just that!  I can tell you that the chest of drawers is almost complete and it looks AWESOME!

A parent's love for their child knows no bounds...This, I know.  And you, too,  will become a parent very soon and know this truth for yourself.  I cannot wait for you to see this beautiful baby furniture that your dad is building.  It will not merely be furniture, but a family heirloom that begins with Holli and will hopefully be passed down for many generations to come.

                                                                                                            I Love you and Miss you,
                                                                                                                 (VERY MUCH!!!)
                                                                                                                            MOM