Christmas has always been an excited time for me (and I'm sure for your daddy) for as long as I can remember. However, this year it was better than I could have ever hoped for! This year it was all about giving.......giving to you! You are a very lucky little girl to have so many people in your life that love you! As we traveled "to and from" today we drove by a hitch hiker walking down I95. We passed him twice. Once as we were going and then again coming back. It made your daddy and I reflect on all the blessings we have been given. For you see sweet Avery not every child is as loved as you; not every child is given all you have been given. I hope that as your mommy I can teach you what it means to GIVE and not just to receive. I pray daily that your daddy and I can MODEL behaviors that TEACH you to be humble, giving, loving, understanding, and appreciative of all the things God has given to you.
Tonight I am writing you this letter so that one day you can not only hear about your first Christmas but, read about it! Your Christmas began December 10th when Nana, Papa, and Grandma Gigi came to visit you. Everyone came to give lots of love and kisses and to cook mommy some "good ole' home cookin". Aunt Donna, Uncle Bill, Heather, and Bo came to eat with us and open gifts. You received tons of goodies which included, books, bouncy balls, clothes, and toys!
The next week we drove down to Columbus GA so you could see Grandma Gigi, Great-grandaddy, Uncle Robb, Aunt Carolyn, cousin Will, and some of mommy's VERY close friends, Kim, Bella, and Devon. Grandma Gigi had a beautiful gold cross necklace and bangle bracelet waiting for you when we arrived! We went to see Santa with Will and did lots of shopping with Gma Gigi.
Yesterday, Christmas eve, Jack and Kali came over for mommy's yummy "cinnamon pull" bread and to give you a gift. That afternoon we made Christmas cookies for Santa, although you napped through most of it. Bird, a very close friend of daddy's, also came to bring you a gift. That night we left for the "Matthews" Christmas dinner. You were a little timid at first, but quickly "opened up" and became the main "attraction". You laughed as we laughed, you admired the Christmas decor, and you even enjoyed some yummy chicken n' dumplings, collards, turkey, and green bean casserole. We headed home a little past your bedtime, but overall you did great!!!!
Today you woke without a sound! You gave mommy and daddy a little "extra" sleep time for Christmas! When we came into your room around 7:30 (you usually wake around 6:30) you were playing in your bed with your two babies. Daddy and I were supposed to be up already starting breakfast for when your Grandma, Granddaddy, Aunt Jamie, Poppy and Nettie came, so needless to say, the rest of the morning went by very quickly. While daddy started breakfast, you nursed and then we came downstairs to find "Santa" had left tons of things for you!!!! Once everyone arrived we all ate breakfast together and then by 9:00 you were ready for your first nap.
As you napped, daddy packed the car to get ready to head to Selma, to see Grandma and Grandpa Earp and tons of others who love you! You loved your new mini piano!! As we headed home, daddy sang to you and fed you cheerios to help keep you content because, by then you were WAY OVERSTIMULATED!!
As you napped, daddy packed the car to get ready to head to Selma, to see Grandma and Grandpa Earp and tons of others who love you! You loved your new mini piano!! As we headed home, daddy sang to you and fed you cheerios to help keep you content because, by then you were WAY OVERSTIMULATED!! You napped later into the day so we missed out on going to Aunt Tina's house, but we plan to go see her later this week. Once you woke, your Grandma, Granddaddy, Granny and Aunt Jamie came to the house to open your gifts from them. You received a wagon,clothes, puzzles, a baby stroller, CD and some beautiful earrings.
After dinner, we did our usual bedtime routine together and we attempted to put you into bed close to your bedtime.......attempted. Haha!!! By 7:00 you were UNUSUALLY fussy so we headed off to bed. Once you nursed you decided it was playtime again! I rocked you and sang to you, then laid you down. Well, since you decided you "weren't" tired, daddy came in to help you to sleep. (Sometimes you like to just play with mommy) Daddy and I do this type of "tag in and out" with you on the VERY FEW nights you need some extra "lovin". Well, by the time daddy got back downstairs you began to "call out" for us again. So, this time I "tagged" back in and we rocked, laughed, sang together and you nursed again. It was during that time (by now it was going on 9:00pm) that I realized I wanted to write you this letter. It was during that time that I realized that at THAT VERY MOMENT, I KNEW that this is what life is ALL about!! Even though it was WAY past your bedtime, I was calm, happy, and even excited to spend some extra alone time with you. I knew you were JUST sooooo excited from the day and needed some extra "winding down time". SO, what better way to end the day then with a few "rasberry blows" to the tummy, giggles, kisses and TONS of I LOVE YOU's!!!!!!
So you see ALL this for you and we are all happy to do it! We love you sweet Avery Grace.
PS...when I came downstairs your amazing daddy had already began a letter for you and with tear filled eyes he began to read your letter to me:
December 25, 2011
Dear Avery,
As I sit here while your mommy is upstairs with you trying to help you fall asleep, I wanted to write you a letter to read, when you are older, to let you know how much you mean to us. You are an amazing little girl, and I am not just saying that because I am your father. Your mommy and I talk every day about how lucky we are to have such a happy little girl. I can definitely say you are the most beautiful girl I have ever laid my eyes on. Your smile lights up the room and you have a wonderful personality. We look forward to waking up every day to see you waiting on us to come tell you good morning and for your mommy to sing “Rise and Shine, and give God your Glory, Glory.” Your daddy’s favorite song to sing to you is Amazing Grace, and I have sung that to you since you were born. Every day spent with you is wonderful and we want nothing more than to spend every waking moment with you. You are the first thing that we think of when we wake up and the last thing that we pray for before we go sleep. In between, I am sure that we dream about you.
You are a very lucky little girl to have such an amazing mommy. She truly does make every decision in your best interest. When you are happy, we are happy. When you are sad, we are sad. When you learn how to do something new, we are excited as you are (In the past few days, you have been taking your first steps and we are so excited). When you hurt, we hurt and would take that hurt if we could to make you feel better. You are our life now and we love seeing you happy. Your mommy has even learned to live with the mess that we make every day while we play.
Today was your first Christmas, and I was so excited to see you come down the stairs to see what Santa Claus had left you. Last night, we made cookies and milk to leave from Santa. When we woke up this morning, the fireplace was half open because Santa could not close it as he left up the chimney. The cookies were half eaten and the milk was gone. You tried your best to finish the cookies that Santa did not eat. You had so many toys and you couldn’t figure out which one you wanted to play with more. Your favorite toy was your sensory balls. You held one in your hand the whole day and would not let them go. Other things Santa left you were toys, a wagon, building blocks, toys, magnet letters that stick to the refrigerator, your very own chair with your name on it, and toys. Our house looks like a toy store, but you are one happy baby. Your mommy and daddy also bought you many toys and a sterling silver heart charm bracelet. Daddy bought Mommy a diamond bracelet with your birthstone on it. This will be yours one day (if you can convince her to give it to you).
As I write you this letter, my emotions are getting to me. I have tears all over the keyboard because I am so happy to be your Daddy. You make me so proud and I look forward to making more memories with my little girl. You are growing up so fast and we have such great plans for you. You are loved by many people and your number one fan is your Daddy!
I love you Avery Grace!
Daddy
