Your First Keepsake

Gem,

It's 2015 and you're 7 months old! I can't believe it. Get ready to read that a lot in the upcoming months because I'm struggling with the fact that time is going by so fast and you're changing just as fast. You look so much like Dad these days but I'm starting to see myself in you more and more. You recently started saying "Mama" and "Dada" and it just melts my heart. You only say dada when Dad is around and I love that. I'm not sure you're associating the words with us yet but it's nice to pretend you understand. You want to do everything we do. Eat what we eat, drink what we drink. You love food just like me.

Wedding planning has begun and it's more work than I expected. Finding a place that suits our little family was a hard task but we found one! I never thought I would get married in Texas but this place is gorgeous, Gem and there is nothing like it in Nashville. I can't wait to make pretty things for that day. I was never the type to dream about what my wedding day would look like but it's fun to discover what I want it to be like. Your Dad is just as involved in envisioning this celebration and it's so fun scheming and dreaming with him. We want it to feel intimate and moving.

We got you something special recently that we will give you on our wedding day. Something to remember the day and something that will grow with you. A little locket. We have to get our photos made so we can put them in there but I think you're going to love it. It's from 1960 but we had it fixed up and cleaned just for you.

I'm excited to give it to you and I can't wait to share special things like this with you as you grow up. I love getting things for you. Ammie loves antiques and she always shared her keepsakes with me. She taught me to appreciate old, fragile pieces and how to be delicate with them, to learn their history and admire such keepsakes. If you think I'm sentimental, just you wait.... Ammie is even more so.

I love you sweet girl.

Always,
Mama

Your First Christmas

Merry Christmas MY LOVE!

This is your first Christmas out of the womb! It's also mine and your father's first Christmas together (we spent Christmas with our own parents last year) so this is so wonderful for all of us!

On Christmas Eve, Dad cooked up a super tasty dinner: steak and lemon roasted asparagus. We had a fancy red wine to go with it. We tried giving you carrots and You LOVE your carrots. It was nice to see you finally eat solids well when lately, all you would do is nurse. You sat in your new fancy high chair that we opened early from Nann & Pops (thank you!) and ate right along with us. You nearly drank more water than me too!

Christmas morning comes no later than other mornings. We were all exhausted but it's Christmas and we are so happy to be together. We sat with you in the living room and let you "open" your presents. Ammie + Papa, Nann + Pops and Papa Steve + Mimi sent so many wonderful gifts our way for you and us parents too! Most of the wrapping paper ended up in your mouth (and in your diaper later-- oops!). You were amazed with all of the boxes and paper and all the noises they make.

Dad made his cheese danish for breakfast and served it up with a big glass of milk and a tall glass of eggnog for me. YUM. We watched "Elf" and lounged most of the day. Even when you aren't feeling your best, you're such a happy baby. You've started a "mama" phase in the last couple of weeks. It's gotten to the point where I can't leave your sight, you won't take a bottle (of anything) and are super picky with your solid intake. My heart hurts when I can't figure out what's wrong or what's changing.

For dinner, I made my first pot roast with veggies in the oven. It was so tender, it fell off the fork. Mmm. Not even close to as good as your dad's steak but it was pretty tasty if I do say so, myself. You ate sweet potatoes for the first time and they are definitely your new favorite. 

 I didn't take any photos of the dinner I made with my camera since I'm a messier cook than your dad. And I forgot to make something green..... gotta have those greens. Oops.

At the end of our evening, you were restless and I was getting a migraine so I fed you and laid in bed with you and we both fell asleep. Dad went to bed soon after. With all of this together-time indoors, we are going to have a bit of cabin fever soon. Okay, maybe just me. We three are so worn and tired. a little sickly but healthier than most this season. Still, our first Christmas was so special. One I will always remember. 

Love you darling.

Always,

Mama