Great Grandmother Love

A recent visit to Kaitlyn's Great Grandmother (GGma) was truly as tender as these photos illustrate. GGma was in Heaven and rightfully so! We went over to deliver some photos of Kaitlyn wrapped in the beautiful blanket that GGma had knitted. She was beside herself, swimming in a childish happiness. The look on GGma's face when she was handed Kaitlyn to hold and love was just memorable. She sat there on the sofa, Kaitlyn upon her chest, and never shed her smile. Babies do things to people. Here I lied next to a woman who had lived a full life, 90 years of it only to be contrasted by a baby who had only just begun to live...I was somewhere in between, living.
It was a gorgeous day for this outing which added to the enjoyment of the visit. When GGma walked us to the car for the big departure, tears streamed down her eyes. My heart was crying, too. There may not be too many more of these visits and then again, there could be another ten years of them. GGma is in good form, but like many of the elderly, her memory is failing. It makes for some good laughs as she has been known to forget she just consumed a bowl of ice cream and so she goes to make herself a second helping. Or my favorite was last Christmas, she had been out shopping with my mom. GGma was told 'Happy Holidays' by the cashier and she looked at mom and said, 'Is it the 4th of July?'. Laugh? Yes. Heavy heart? Yes. We'll all be there someday.
I celebrate this memory and can't wait to further tell Kaitlyn about her GGma, both of them along with the Great Grandpa's who are all angels in Heaven watching over her!

Uncle B-Man

Benet is warming up to holding a baby. I think it won't take him too long until he becomes extremely comfortable. He's already animated and thus captive. Kaitlyn sure likes him. Go Uncle B!

Curls, Glorious Curls

I know, it's a lame attempt to capture her curls...but, can't you see them? After the bath time the curls come out to play! They don't last long since Kaitlyn tosses and turns, squiggles and giggles all night long, but they are there! I think they will be tighter than mine, but like my hair, they will be curly when it's humid and more wavy when it's dry weather. Oh she's a doll!

Timeless Keepsake

My brother Denis had this blanket, a yellow blanket, that he apparently carried with him wherever he went. I had a baby doll named Pinky and she was carried every where I went. When I think what possible object may Kaitlyn grow to love and obsess over I imagine it being the lovely blanket that her Great Grandmother knitted for her (shown in this photo). It's the perfect baby/toddler size, large enough to swaddle her, small enough to pack in a bag and colorful enough to add a sparkle to any room--and more importantly, easy to find if ever mis-placed!
My Grandmother is a healthy woman, but her memory has been victim to pockets of forgetfulness. In a phone conversation with her I could repeat Kaitlyn's name five different times and her birth date three times. We could jump from one topic to another and then repeat the first topic of discussion as if we never addressed it before. While the sporadic memory failure is part of life and surely a bit frustrating for my grandmother at times, she never forgets who I am or the man I have married--who she referred to as 'the boyfriend' and now 'the husband'. I don't think she always remembers his name. Whatever the case, she did remember to knit Kaitlyn a blanket (even though I have a strong feeling my mother may have had a part in prompting her memory). It was no easy task as it was reported to me that my grandmother would pull it all apart, forget who she was making it for, and then as if her memory never failed, she would talk to you as if she knew about Kaitlyn since I conceived her and this blanket was a full time project she was determined to complete.
It's endearing to hear about the love that went into its creation. Knowing my grandmother will not be around too much longer, this is a timeless keepsake that I will cherish. If Kaitlyn doesn't take to it like I did Pinky or Denis did his yellow blanket, I may possibly be the one who carts it around!

Daddy's Little Girl

When I stumble upon moments like these, the camera better be nearby. Steve is like a huge teddy bear when he holds Kaitlyn. My heart melts. Wouldn't yours?

My Sleeping Beauty

I'm in love. It hit me this week--that feeling of truly being in love with your child (what all baby books talk about). I admit this feeling was not present at first as the entire NICU experience was surreal. This week, however, Kaitlyn has brought me a new dimension of what love means. I miss her when I go to the store without her. When I'm napping and Steve is on baby duty, it's as though one ear is always alert to hear her hunger cry or cooing sound. My senses are heightened because of her existence! This love is different than the love I feel for my husband, or the love I feel for my dear friends or even my family. This love comes from another depth of my soul. Kaitlyn came from me. Wow. That's enough to keep me speechless for some time. Here she is in a deep slumber, totally nestled in my arms and chest--complete contentment.
I've enjoyed her so much today. While I didn't get too much sleep last night due to her hourly crying spells, this morning began with an alert happy baby. We held great conversations and eye staring matches. This delicate energy has remained with her all day and into this evening.
My favorite Kaitlyn moments:
When breastfeeding, she grabs onto my shirt while her other arm is tucked up by the side of her head as if propping herself up.
Foops (farting poops). I know it's gross but it tells me that her bodily functions are working! The sounds of a foop just make me laugh!
Her HUGE eyes when she is holding a conversation. They are so animated.
Bath time--especially when washing her hair (she stays so calm, eyes wide open and often accompanied by some cooing sounds).
Okay I could go on...but will save my thoughts for another post...until then, I'm enjoying my sleeping beauty.

Paparazzi

My mother told me that when I was born all my brothers crowded around and looked at me with great curiosity. Seeing this photo I was flooded with the visual of what I must have caused in my home growing up. A little girl arriving to be welcomed by six older brothers (Benet was not in the world at this time). Now, I am the one with the little girl and on this joyous day I had some of my brothers over to welcome her to this world. Four curious uncles and one thrilled GRANDpa! This was really quite a sight to see. The cameras were constant and so were the animated faces. Kaitlyn was in a deep slumber for most of the flashes, but it didn't stop the Paparazzi Heames bunch from snapping away. Each brother took their turn holding her and saying a few charmed words. She was in total bliss.