missing you already . . .

dear kate,
i love this picture of you and me . . .
we are both so happy . . .
you are wearing the yoga outfit i bought you at the children's place in ottawa!
do you think we look alike?
well . . . we both have blue eyes and we're both quite round!
i'm sending you mushy kisses all over your chubby cheeks!
you are my angel . . .
love,
grammy xo

chillin' in russell . . .

dear kate,
we are spending most of our time just chillin' and relaxin' . . .
donny has been here every minute he can cause he loves spending
time with his favourite little niece
beka and steph are loving every minute with you - taking you for
walks and playing with you
we visited with granny joy and she just adores you
and we visited with granny lucienne at her house in hawkesbury
it's so much fun when you're around
and we can't stop smiling when we look into your precious little face
love,
grammy xo

a baby for my baby . . .

dear kate,
i had a present waiting for you when you got here . . .
your first baby doll!
when you press her tummy she laughs . . . and her laugh sounds just like yours!
i couldn't believe it when i heard it
i had to buy it for you
i think you like it and you can keep it always . . .
love,
grammy xo

time for another visit don't-cha-think . . .

dear kate,
fall is here again!
september is one of my favourite months and this year it's a
really special month because you and mommy are here!
it's been 4 months since our last visit and you've really changed
you are just over 6 months old now . . .
you sit up all by yourself
you smile and laugh a lot
you love playing peek-a-boo
you are curious about everything
and, of course, everything goes 'in the mouth'
you are adorable . . . and i'm so happy your here in my arms
love,
grammy xo

a wish come true . . .

dear kate,
i've never seen your mommy so happy . . .
when she was a little girl, about 8 years old, someone asked her, "lindsay, what do you want to be when you grow up?"
and do you know what she answered . . .
a mother . . .
most of the other girls wanted to be a teacher, or a nurse, or a secretary . . .
but all your mommy ever wanted was you . . .
love,
grammy xo

your first visit to ontario . . .

dear kate,
we are all so happy that you are here . . .
grammy and grampy came to see you in bonnyville when you were born, but auntie beka and auntie steph had to wait until now . . . and they are so excited to meet you . . .
uncle donny is excited too . . . and he can't stop smiling and telling everyone how beautiful and perfect you are . . .
you are still so tiny and huggable . . .
we had a baby shower for you while you and mommy were here and all of the family and all of mommy's friends came to see you and bring you presents . . .
mommy's friend, becci, gave us all kinds of baby things for you to use while you were visiting . . .
a baby seat . . . a bassinette . . . a baby swing . . .
we were all set up thanks to her . . .
what a joy it was for us to all take turns holding you . . . changing you . . . feeding you and burping you . . .
you are a perfect baby . . . yes . . . a perfect gift from heaven above
love,
grammy xo

splish splash . . .

dear kate,
today we went to the wave pool in ottawa . . . you, mommy, grampy and me
we dressed you in your new green bikini and you looked smashing!
you played in the water and splashed all around
i think you will be a water baby!
love,
grammy xo

grammy and grampy . . .

dear kate,
here is a picture of grampy and me . . .
it was taken at your house in bonnyville when we came to visit at the time you were born . . .
kate, i want to tell you something . . .
i love your grampy so much! he is a very special man who loves me, and your mommy, and uncle donny, and auntie beka, and auntie stephanie . . . and you . . . all so very, very much . . . your grampy is a very caring, compassionate and hard-working man . . . he loves to play and can't wait to spoil you and do fun things with you!
i love him like crazy, and i know you will love him more and more as you
grow up! and, you know what? i am praying that some day - even though it is far, far off - you will marry a man who adores you and loves you as much as
grampy loves me!
love,
grammy xo

bonding . . .

dear kate,
this is one of my favourite pictures of you when you were just newborn . . .
look how tiny you are!
it was taken in the hospital on the day of your birth . . .
i especially love the way you are so alert - and looking into mommy's eyes . . .
it's like you're saying, "there you are . . . mommy . . . i heard your voice and felt warm and safe in your tummy . . . and now i get to see you face to face"
how precious you are!
love,
grammy xo

you are born . . .

dear kate,you are here! and you're a beautiful baby girl . . . kate virginia caroline brennan . . .
one breath away from the face of God . . . a tiny miracle from heaven . . .
born at 9:34 am

thank you, lord, for such a perfect little gift . . .

it's hard to believe that anyone could love her more . . .
but you do . . . you love her with your perfect love . . .
please watch over her every day of her life
protect her
guide her
help her to make wise choices
give her good health and strength
may your peace wash over her
and may you wrap her always in your perfect love

love,
grammy xo

waiting to meet you . . .

dear kate,
we are all waiting patiently to meet you sweet baby . . .
and we are all wondering . . .
are you a boy?
are you a girl?
what will you look like?
will you be a quiet and content baby?
or will you cry a lot?
we don't know . . . but God does!
he knows all about you before you are even born . . .
love,
grammy x0

i remember . . . i wonder . . .

dear kate,

on january 12, 1981 i experienced the indescribable joy of having my first baby . . .
your mommy
and now, 27 years later . . . i experience another first

. . . you . . . my first grandchild.
will you be a boy? will you be a girl?
at this moment, you are being formed by the Creator's hand ... hidden from all but Him
until the coming day . . . a day that was chosen before the foundations of the earth were laid
the day that you will be born
i can't wait to meet you
love,
grammy xo