Little Girls

Dear Liza,

One of Mama's closest friends and her family live just up the road from Grandpa & Nana. Mama has spent so much time with them that they feel like her family too. Arinn and her girls taught me so much about being a mama, long before I ever knew I'd have a little girl someday too. It was really special for me to see you playing with Anna and Jane. And even though you weren't too excited about having your picture taken that afternoon, I'm so glad we have these. We even got to meet baby Lucy who had just been born the week before!

Love, Mama 

Toys!

Dear Liza,

Nana & Grandpa were so excited for your arrival. There was a well-stocked toy basket and some new books waiting for you. Daddy went searching for his box of G.I. Joes and gave you Tunnel Rat to add to your collection. Lucky Girl! He also found a bag of stuffed animals from when he was little which you unpacked and spread all over the living room floor. Your most favorite toy was the colorful train. It made lots of fun noises, and you liked to push the buttons over and over and over again.

       Love, Mama

Just a Few More

Dear Liza,

Here are just a few more shots from our visit to Gramommy & Grandaddy's: trying on Mama's baby dress...too small, trying on Daddy's new running shoes...too big, entertaining all the people who came to visit you...just right. We're off to Grandpa & Nana's house next!

Love, Mama

Grandaddy

Dear Liza,

Grandaddy loves trains, and now, so do you. Whenever you'd hear the whistle blow, you'd make a mad (toddling) dash to the window to watch it go by. You and Grandaddy shared special time together in the early morning when everybody else was sleeping. He worked hard to make sure the kitchen was stocked with all your favorites and liked to hang out with you while you ate breakfast. You were fascinated with the green, leafy trees swaying in the breeze outside the kitchen window, an uncommon sight in the desert where we live.

Love, Mama 

Fun with Gramommy

Dear Liza,

You love to play with Gramommy! There were new toys to discover, flowers to sniff and bees to buzz at, feathers to blow, and games of peek-a-boo. Gramommy is a big word, so you shortened it to Mamamee and began yelling it as you traipsed around the house. Mama and Daddy got to take lots of breaks because there was always somebody else willing to chase you. (Thanks, Gramommy!)

Love, Mama 

Aunt V's Jewelry

Dear Liza,

When Aunt V heard about our trip east, she decided to surprise Gramommy and Grandaddy and hopped a flight across the country too. She just couldn't bear to miss out on all the fun, and we're so glad. Liza, you love the big earrings that Aunt V wears, especially since you get to hunt for them under all her hair. Aunt V is good at following you around and giving Mama a break. She also got a lot of great photos with Mama's camera, proof that I was actually there. Whenever Aunt V sat down with you a mealtimes, you got this serious expression on your face and launched into quite the conversation. If only we could've understood what you were saying, because it definitely looked and sounded important.

Love, Mama