In thanksgiving for Grace

This is my latest letter to Grace, describing her at almost three months of age - complete with some of our favorite pictures of her so far!

November 27, 2015

Dear Grace,

Two months old!

“She is pure delight.” This is how I respond when people ask me how you are doing. And on this day after Thanksgiving – your first ever and our first being grateful for you – it seems appropriate to tell you why.

I thank God constantly that you are who you are, and that we ended up with a baby like you. You are wonderful for every reason an infant can be wonderful: you eat well and happiily, you only cry when

Helping mom in the kitchen,
making pumpkin soup from scratch.

you have a legitimate need to communicate (hungry, diaper, tired, gassy, want to play), and you sleep like a champ (you were sleeping through the night the second night at home, and now you sleep from about 11pm to 7am). For all of these reasons, you are an amazing child who is a joy to care for.

In addition to your basic needs being fairly easy to fulfill, you are also gorgeous. You have these incredible, bright blue eyes that are often wide open and taking in the world; a rosy complexion with reddish hair; great big, pinchable cheeks; pink, cupid’s bow lips; and a heart-shaped face. Everyone, strangers and friends alike, say, “She’s so alert!” And you are – mild-mannered and alert.

Caught a smile!

But although we love those things about you, what makes you “pure delight” is your budding personality. You are so curious, little one! And determined, my goodness. Though you certainly enjoy a good cuddle, what you really want to do is learn and grow. You love being in a front carrier so you can see everything that is happening, especially when we go to new places (the first time we went to the mall, on Halloween, you had a ball!). When we are sitting on the couch, you would rather try to stand than lie still, and the amazing thing is that at almost 3 months, you can hold your weight on your pudgy little legs. Actually you’ve been doing that for weeks. If we hold your hands for

balance, you can hold your weight up. Remarkable. (That is, until your head falls one way and your bum goes the other, but you wiggle yourself back upright.) Your neck strength and head support has been there from day one, and just this past week you rolled over the first

Morning fun with mama!

time by yourself – a month ahead of schedule! You grab things and manipulate them – including, unfortunately, my hair, which I now have to wear back all the time as a result! Any time you work at these things, your eyes are wide open and your face set in determination to master the skill.

You are also very ready with a smile. Often when we go to wake you in the morning, you turn to look

at us and offer a huge, bright grin, which melts our hearts every time. Dad’s favorite part of the day is when he comes home from work and you welcome him with a smile. Any time you meet a new person who engages with you, you show them a gummy grin and laughing eyes. You play with us, interspersing each game with smiles and giggles. Lately you have been extremely vocal, trying out your little voice in all kinds of different sounds. You often try to mimic us, and your dad is convinced he has taught you how to say, “Hi!” which is appropriate for the daughter of two extroverts. You likely are an extrovert yourself – you rarely cry

Napping after first walk in the snow.

when in a group of people, and will happily be handed around during coffee hour at church, from one set of loving arms to another. You also have started to try singing. When I sing to you, you make sounds with your voice that are longer tones than when you are trying to talk. This brings me so much joy, I can’t even tell you. Often when I’m singing a song and you join me, I dissolve into laughter because I’m so overcome with joy. (Unfortunately, I used to be able to sing you sleep, but now you are so eager to join me, I think it sometimes wakes you up instead!)

Cute from red head to bowed toes!

In short, my dear, you melt our hearts. You are charming and personable and love being with people. You seem to love life. Everyone who meets you is taken with you – but most especially your family. Grace, my love, we cannot wait to see how you continue to grow and learn and take on your own special and unique personality. Every day with you is a joy.

                                                         Your adoring Mama

Klaus is sitting on Grace. Grace isn't so sure about it.

"Daddy's Little Princess Leia" -
the only time she's his princess.
(Usually, she's "president.")