Love you, Grandma

 
I already miss Grandma so much.

She was sharp, social, beautiful, chatty, so dang tough, and she loved all of us with all of her heart.

I'm grateful she isn't suffering anymore. I'm also thankful that the last time I saw her, she was awake and we were able to have a nice conversation. She had predicted that I was going to have a girl. (But she was hoping that she was wrong and that I would have a boy!)

I have a wonderful stockpile of memories of her and have every intention of letting her live on in my heart. 

She used to watch Robbyn and I before and after school so she was a significant part our childhood. Even as we got older, we continued to visit her on our own. Every time I returned home from Minnesota, I still made a point to go to her house (and not just for the snacks!).

When we were little, she made sure we went to school with our hair neatly done and a good breakfast in our bellies. Like our dad, she picked us up from school and helped shuttle us to and from our skating and cheerleading practices. She would unfailingly provide an after school snack and dinner. I have so many memories of running errands with her, getting groceries, and of course, buying lotto tickets.

 I will always be thankful Grandma knew the importance of shooing us outside to play, to pretend, and to climb trees in her backyard. She could always be counted on for a game of Scrabble or cards. Grandma was an excellent party planner and host. I actually cried at my bridal shower she and Aunt Gina threw for me because it was so incredible.  And of course, I'll remember and miss her cooking. I will also strive to someday recreate her sloppy joe which has earned the description of "legendary."

I know that she'll be greeted in heaven with so many open arms. I know that I'll see her again someday, but that doesn't lessen the sense of loss at this point. I'm sleep-deprived, blubbering, and not really doing my best writing job, but I just had to get it out of me that Grandma was incredibly special and will be missed so much by so many.

I love you, Grandma.

The last two weeks via iPhone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I spent the week of my due date waiting and wishing for this baby to arrive (and taking plenty of iPhone photos because I was "saving" my camera for the hospital). Fortunately, my bestie was in town and instead of twiddling our thumbs waiting for baby to make an appearance, we stayed busy and ran all over town with the kiddos. This kept me in good spirits because it gets tough at the end when your due date rolls around and there's no baby that day. Or the next day. Or the one after that. (Or the one after that!)

 

After coming home from the hospital, Joe was able to take a week off work and it has honestly been one of the sweetest weeks of my life. I didn't know how it would feel to make that transition from being a family of three to a family of four. Now that Rosemary has been here for nine days, I can't imagine life any other way. Sure, we are tired and our house isn't in amazing shape, but I'm feeling so very blessed right now.

 

And then there were four.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This weekend, our second girl arrived.  Rosemary Grace Gaetz was born on 3.15.14 at 3:22 p.m. She weighed in at 7 lbs, 13 oz and measured 20.5 inches long. She is healthy and lovely. Rosie eats like a horse and sleeps like a rock, as some might say ; )

 And we are reveling in that ooey gooey new parent love all over again.

 

Sitting, waiting, wishing...

 

I am 40 weeks and one day pregnant today. I have been trying to be patient and trying to remember that nature will eventually take its course, but I am so ready to get this show on the road! Wish us luck, we're hoping it happens SOON!

 

Over the weekend...

 

 

 

Despite frigid temps, this past weekend was a good one. On Saturday we took Cece to Good Times Park, which is another indoor playground-type facility. We met some friends there and she did NOT want to leave. I, however, was afraid of us getting trampled because it was so busy, but Joe did a great job making sure we left unharmed. On Saturday night, Joe and I went out to dinner at Crave (Delicious!). And on Sunday we visited an indoor water park with some of C's cousins and Grandma and Grandpa. I don't know if I've mentioned it here, but Cece has been wearing her bathing suit (with the built-in life-vest) almost non-stop since our trip to Madison.  Needless to say, we all slept hard on Sunday night.

 
So... Happy March! Apparently spring is supposed to commence this month, but I'll believe it when I see it.