Daddy Talk

When I was a kid it was kind of a big deal to get a gift -- a little RC car, or train or squirt gun. They cost my parents real dollars but I'm pretty sure I didn't treat them with much reverence past the first week or so.

I remember getting my first computer when I was around 12. It was an Apple compatible -- so not really an Apple -- and could do 90 percent of what other Apples could do. It just couldn't do that last bit. Anyway, it helped me through Junior high school and was actually pretty great. It also cost a good deal of money for my parents. I remember dusting it every day and generally treating it pretty well. It was portable -- in that it had a carry handle and weighed 20 pounds.

I bring this up because I see parents on a regular basis handing over these marvelous little computers to their kids, cell phones and tablet computers. Usually they come free or cost a little bit so it may not seem like much, but in some cases when you break one of these guys and have to replace them, it's a bit of a shock as the replacement cost for these phones is sometimes $400 dollars. An iPad can cost upwards of $600. It's pretty nuts when you sit and really think about. You are handing over these little dynamo computers to kids, babies even. I know. I've handed over my iPhone to my 1-year-old to watch "Timmy Time" so that the adults could talk during dinner.

On the face of it, I worry about the kid chucking it out the window and having to replace it, but on the other hand, I really worry about when my kid gets old enough to appreciate or not appreciate things. Will it matter to him or will he be like a lot of kids who just have them replaced regardless of what happens? I suppose that depends on us and how we deal with him.

Family visit

Milo, his daddy and I are away from home this week, visiting family. Milo got to meet his uncles, two of his boy cousins and his grandpa. It's been quite an adventure for Milo (meaning we've totally thrown off his eating and sleeping schedule).

My sister-in-law wasn't able to join my brother on this visit, but she sent gifts with him. Milo got some onesies, a sippy cup and a new pacifier. He also got a very nice cross-stitch.

I was appreciating the details and the hard work, when the S.O. noticed an envelope on the back of the frame. He pulled out a letter, read it, then handed it to me. Here's what it said:

Milo,
Your grandma made this cross-stitch before she passed away. I found it in her craft room and thought there must have been a reason that she had this all done. The only thing we needed to do was stitch the name in it. She had it all framed and left complete directions on how to finish it. So I like to think dhe had it all ready and waiting just for you. I think she knew she had one more grandchild to come and she wanted to leave something just for you. Your grandma was one of the sweetest, most loving ladies I ever knew. She loved being a mom and a grandma. Her family meant everything to her. I believe she is looking down and watching over you. We all have our own personal angel keeping an eye on us. If you ever have questions about your grandma, ask any of us. We all have so many nice things to tell you about her.

My family members all read the letter and either had chills or tears in their eyes (as did I). I'll never really know the motivation behind this piece of handiwork, but I like to think my sister-in-law is right and Mom knew there would be another grandson. Either way, Milo has a beautiful keepsake made my his grandma.

It's true he won't get to spend time with his grandma, but thanks to her legacy, he will certainly know her.

Baby's first Wranglers

Milo's Great-Aunt D visited this past weekend. As I've mentioned before, she is very special to me. And now, she'll be very special to Milo. In fact, I have asked her if it's OK if we call her "Gramma D." I think my mom would have liked that.

Milo loves his "Gramma D"

Well, Gramma D, being the super generous woman she is, took really good care of us during her visit. Now only did she bring gifts, she took me shopping (ala "What Not To Wear"), took us all out to dinner and even babysat for an evening so the S.O. and I could go out for sushi.

Among the gifts she brought was a pair of baby Wranglers. They're a bit big for Milo but we just had to get pictures.

Ride 'em, cowboy!

She also brought Milo a menagerie of critters.

Hippos and duckies and bunnies! Oh my!

And last, but far from least, she gave me a rocker that my grandparents gave her when she was a teen, along with a teddy bear and cross-stitch my mom made for her.

Milo may never get to meet his grandma in person, but he will certainly know her, thanks to the love she spread. Years ago, I wrote an overly sentimental poem that for all its cheesiness still rings true to me.

It ends like this:

Love grew in the garden
Among the vines and flowers
Love sat among us quietly
While we talked away the hours

Magic came and magic went
was passed down to the daughter
Now love grows in my mother's house
And flows again like water

Future fan

One of Milo's aunts works for the University of Illinois -- which is my alma mater, by the way -- and sent him some Illini-themed gifts. Among them was a cute picture frame that says, "Born to be an Illinois Fan!"

Because the S.O. and I have a weird sense of humor, and because the sports teams at Illinois have had a tendency to choke in crucial situations (at least when I was a student there), we put this picture in the frame.

Because if he's a true fan, he will have to get used to the tears.

OK. OK. The Illini have made it to the Final Four in basketball and have had bowl wins in football. but come on, it's still funny.

Gratitude*

My friends threw the S.O. and me a baby shower this weekend. They made us feel special and loved and extremely spoiled. They showered us with gifts from practical to fun, items from our baby registry and lovely handmade items.

My friend Heather made an incredible cake that -- despite her protestations -- looked like it was created by a professional. In fact, it was better than many professionally made cakes I've seen.

This photograph doesn't begin to do it justice.

We even had one friend drive several hours just to spend the afternoon with us.

Sometimes I get so wrapped up in my own little world, thinking of what's happening inside me and what's going to be happening, that I forget how much this little alien, along with the S.O. and I mean to a lot of other people.

I am so grateful to the friends who hosted the shower and the friends that attended.

*Gratitude - the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful

Accomplishment*

My aunt and cousin sent a cradle for Baby so he can sleep in our room with us when he first comes home. I'm quite proud of the fact that I assembled the cradle all -- well mostly -- by myself. (The S.O. had to hold two pieces together for me while I attached them.

It's a beautiful cradle, too. The S.O. wondered what we would do with it once Baby's outgrown it -- which happens at 15 pounds. I'm envisioning it holding baby blankets and overflowing with stuffed animals.

And is it too early to imagine my grandchild sleeping in it someday? Yeah. It's too early for that.

*Accomplishment - anything accomplished; deed; achievement

Apropos*

I received a box of gifts today from my beautiful niece. This was the first thing I pulled out:

The box also contained receiving blankets, a sleep sack, more bibs, jammies and a copy of "The Poky Little Puppy." So sweet.

I am touched by the attention my family is giving me. We may be separated by many -- too many -- miles, but I know they hold me close to their hearts. And I hold them close to my heart. I hope they know that.

*Apropos - fitting

Slumber*

Grandpa ordered a crib for Baby from Babies'R'Us and had it sent to us .

Even though the woman at the store told him we weren't on the registry, we ended up with the exact crib we wanted. And when I checked the registry, it showed as "purchased." Dad mentioned that the salesperson was pregnant, so baby brain must have been doing a number on her.

Regardless, the crib is lovely. And the best part is it converts to a toddler bed, a day bed and a full bed, so it can grow as Baby grows.

And don't worry. We won't make baby sleep in it as is. We'll have the mattress soon.

*Slumber - to sleep

Adore*

I received this in the mail a couple days ago. It's from my Most-Amazing Sister-in-Law. I adore it. And I adore her. (She has a pretty amazing husband and son, and I adore them, too.)

*Adore -- to regard with the utmost esteem, love, and respect; honor; to like or admire very much

Presents

As a follow up to my post about my Most Amazing Sister-in-Law, here are the gifts she sent -- items handmade by my mom for my Most Amazing Nephew.

Two dolls and two baby blankets

Close up detail of the baby blanket

More detail

Close up of the hand-crocheted afghan

I am so happy to have these items from my mom to share with her grandson. Even though he'll never get to meet her, I will make sure he knows how special she was. And he'll know what a great influence she was on my family.

Most-Amazing Sister-in-law

See this lady here?

I am naming her Most-Amazing Sister-in-law. Yesterday, she sent me a message, telling me she had I talked to talked to my brother and my nephew and asked if they would mind giving me a few of the baby items my mom made for my nephew. My sister-in-law has kept everything Grandma made him. She says, "I still have lots of other things she made him which I could never part with. I just think it might be important to you to have something from your mom."

Now, I know pregnancy hormones can send emotions all over the place, but this message made me cry -- in a very good way. I am so touched that this very sentimental woman -- who loved my mom almost as much as if she were her own mother -- would be willing to part with a few hand-made baby items so that my son could have something handmade by his grandmother.

My little boy will never get to meet his Grandma Louise in person, but thanks to Most-Amazing Aunt, he will be able to have a little piece of her with him. I don't think words can truly express how grateful I am to her -- and to my brother and nephew -- for this incredible act of kindness.

I am most amazed.