Happy 10 Month Born Day, C.C.!

Dear Baby Girl,

You’re ten months old today! I can’t believe it. It truly feels like just yesterday that you were this quiet little newborn that stole my heart the moment I laid eyes on you. Boy have things changed! You still hold my heart captive (and you always will), but that quiet part is done and over with!

You have a laugh that’s full and infectious. The way your little nose crinkles up when you’re happy…makes me happy. Beyond measure. You’re babbling and ba-ba-ing every word. I swear it feels like you’re actually talking!

You are a scootin’ pro and now with your walker, no area of our home is off limits to your curious little mind and feet! That thing is like your very own, personal bumper car.

At ten months it’s fair to say that you got a pretty heavy dose of the personality gene from me and your dad. Every time we take you out, it’s a show. You’re hamming it up for the sales people, smiling, waving, and pointing at people like a celebrity. You’re such a rock star! And I think you know it. You’re starting to push the boundaries a little bit with doing things you’re not supposed to and throwing mini tantrums…but as you know, mama ain’t havin’ it! Teaching discipline, even at this early age is a difficult transition, but it’s my and daddy’s responsibility – and we won’t shy away from it.

Wanna know what I love best about this stage you’re in? You give the BEST hugs. A hug from you is one of the few things in this world that can calm me when I’m anxious, excite me when I’m sad, and teach me about pure love. All you do is spread your tiny arms out across my chest and lay your head on my shoulder. And with that, my dear, all is well in my world.

In just a couple short months you’ll be on official big girl status! I can’t wait to celebrate your first birthday. And it’s so appropriate that December is your birth month, because your presence in my life is the gift that keeps on giving…just like God’s gift to us in His son Jesus. You have given us so much to look forward to in the coming years. But for now, I’m thankful for each day I get to see your million-dollar-eight-toothed-smile that beams brighter than the sun.

Love always,

Your Mommy

A YeYo’s Letter: Footsteps and Imprints

Dear C.C.,

As I sit here thinking about how quickly you are growing up right before my eyes, I also think about my influence in your life as your mommy. I hope that you come to admire the path in life I’ve chosen to take, which included getting an education. I was the first in our family to graduate from college and I want you to continue that trend. I want you to be self confident and know that true beauty comes from within. I want you to treat others with respect and kindness. And when it comes to men…I want you to know your worth! Oh sweetie, there are so many things I want for you in life. More than anything, I just want you to be happy. I pray that as we all grow together through life, you’ll be pleased with, and desire to follow the path I’ve laid out for you. It’s a big job for me, but one that proudly take on.

But there’s one thing I want you to remember…

With Endless Love,

Mommy

A Yeyo’s Letter:What Mother’s Day Means to Me

To my sweet little Chocolate Chip,

Today was a special day for me, because of you. I take that back…every day is special day for me because of you, but today was extra-extra special because it was Mother’s Day! Mother’s Day is a day set aside where we celebrate and thank our mommies for being so good to us. Mommies have big jobs – starting with pregnancy, then giving birth, then raising a child. They do all of this while doing other things like working (at home or outside the home, like I do) or going to school full time. It’s a lot of work, but seeing you happy makes it worth it.

A quick fashion pose before we head out for church.

I received so many lovely messages today from our friends and family that wanted to wish me a happy Mother’s Day because it was my very first one! Some people you know and have met, others you haven’t yet…but you will someday. The outpouring of love made me feel so good on the inside. Of course, Daddy and Nana did all they could to make this day a great one for me as well.

Happy First Mother's Day to Me!

Daddy bought me flowers with a thoughtful gift and Nana took me shopping (yes, again…she can’t help it! We love to shop – and you will too, trust me!). We spent a quiet afternoon at home and I don’t think I could have asked for anything more. Even though I received a lot of attention today, none of it would have been possible if it weren’t for you. I’m still so humbled that God thought enough of me to choose me to be your mommy. Your presence in my life has given me an overwhelming sense of purpose and daily you teach me so much about love. Just the other day I shed a quick tear as we played together because your smile and laugh pumped my heart with so much joy, I had to cry to let it out.

Your daddy is such a sweet and thoughtful man.

I love you so much, daughter. I pray that you’ll always find me worthy enough to be honored on Mother’s Day; simply because of the job I’m doing in raising you. This, more than anything – is what Mother’s Day means to me. And please know that no gift will ever compare to the one I have in you.

You are my joy...

Love Always,

Mommy

A Yeyo’s Letter: It’s so hard to say goodbye

My thoughts before and after my first day back at work:

The night before…

Well C.C., the time has come. Mommy has been home with you taking care of you every day since the minute you were born (along with daddy), but now I have to go back to work. I miss you so much already! So much as happened over the last few months and I’ve got every memory ingrained in my mind and on my heart. We’ve had such great experiences together already, like going to the supermarket, going to the park, and visiting family. So many people stop and tell me how beautiful you are and what a good baby you are. You’re alert and attentive and quiet! Well, except for when you’re hungry (smile).

I’m going to miss spending the whole day with you, watching you play, smile, and grow. As soon as I get off work each day I’ll race home to see you and give you lots of hugs and cuddles! I know you and your dad will have a great time together. He’s planning to take you out for walks and be your #1 Buddy – and I know he will. He’s going to take excellent care of you. Better than anyone else ever could. He might get a little impatient with you from time to time, but that’s okay…he’s just learning you just like I have had to do and am still doing.

Continue to be the good girl that you are and remember how much I love you and am thinking about you while I’m away at work.  You have made my life a million times better than I ever thought it could be, and I can’t wait to experience so much more with you!

With all my love,

Mommy

The night after…

What a day it has been! I woke up at what felt like the crack of dawn and now the day is over and I’m so tired. It was so hard to say goodbye to you this morning. You woke up extra early and stayed awake – as if you knew that I’d be gone for lots and lots of hours. I got to kiss you goodbye and stare into those beautiful eyes before I walked out the door. I pretty much held it together until your dad came and gave me a big hug. I teared up at that moment because I knew how much I’d miss you both.

My work day was really good, though. All of my work friends were very happy to see me back and it made me feel good to know that I was missed. I spent the whole day talking about you and showing everyone your pictures. They think you’re pretty awesome! It was a long day…but a good one. And now coming home to see you has made this day complete. I’ve got to get some rest and prepare my mind and heart to do it all over again tomorrow!

Hugs & Kisses,

Mommy

A Yeyo’s Letter: Sometimes I Cry

Dear Natty-Bear,

Welcome to the world, sweetheart! This is my first letter to you since you arrived and changed everything about my life just over three weeks ago. I can’t believe it has been that long already. Everyday you change more and more. Your eyes are big, beautiful and wide – I love staring into them as you open them more each day. I love you so much. So. Very. Much. Even though I’m super tired some days, every morning I can’t wait to see your face and hold you and kiss you.

Yesterday was a tough one for both of us, wasn’t it? You cried a lot and so did I. It’s hard for me to watch your little body writhe and squirm in pain or discomfort and to hear you cry/scream at the top of your lungs. It’s hard for me to feel so helpless – to not know what’s wrong…and to not be able to make it all better. The last three weeks have been full of ups and downs as your dad and I have worked to get to know you and you, us. There have been great days, hard days, and in-between days…but we’re here taking it all one step at a time. What I’ve realized so far is that being a mommy is not an easy job and not without its challenges. I want so badly to be everything you need me to be and more. I promise to always do my best and to try hard for you. That includes getting up, saying my prayers, taking a shower (believe me, it matters!) and simply working hard to meet your needs. But with that effort, I’ve also realized that sometimes I’ll cry in the process when I’m feeling overwhelmed. And that’s okay. Your dad and I both just want to give you the world and make you happy. I’m prayerful that you can feel that when we hold you – even if we don’t know right away what to do to help.

Just so you know, I’m doing much better today than I was yesterday. I called your doctor this morning and it turns out that you just might have a bad case of gas, which is why your tummy may hurt a little and why you cried so much. We’re going to give you some stuff called gripe water, which hopefully will make you feel a little better. I apologize in advance if it tastes nasty!

Well baby girl, this was all that was on my heart right at this moment. You are drifting off to sleep after having just eaten, and I pray sweet dreams for you as you rest.

Love, Hugs, and Kisses,

Your Yeyo

Judge Not

This morning I decided to do a combination post of A Yeyo’s Letter and I Dedicate. There’s so much of a message in the song, that I couldn’t pass the chance to pass on some words of wisdom to both my baby and to you!

To my little sweet pea,

The context of this song is WAY over your head, but you’ll get it one day. It’s about judging others. What does that mean, mommy? Well basically, it means to always worry about your own life and the things that you are doing before you spend time worrying about the lives of others. It’s very important that you always work hard at being the best person YOU can be and never judge or criticize people if they’re still getting to where you are or even where you may want to be.

Jesus says in the Bible :

Matthew 7

 ¹DO not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves.

    ²For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you.

    ³Why do you ^[a]stare from without at the ^[b]very small particle that is in your brother’s eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam ^[c]of timber that is in your own eye?

    ⁴Or how can you say to your brother, Let me get the tiny particle out of your eye, when there is the beam ^[d]of timber in your own eye?

    ⁵You hypocrite, first get the beam of timber out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the tiny particle out of your brother’s eye.

So overall, the bottom line to treat others the same way you them to treat you. Your dad and I plan to do our best to teach you how to do that.

The lyrics to this song ( “People Person” by Donnie) sums it all up! Listen carefully and take heed.

Well, I know this girl named Bonita
She’s what all the boys call the freaka
If you don’t wanna get fired
Don’t you put no swine on her plate

Well I know this dude from the Islands
He want boom boom for the batty man
But I heard from above came the true meaning of one love

So who are we to give up on anyone?
And he that is without sin first cast the stone
Judge not lest ye be judged with the same judgment

Well I know this dude who’s a pusher
He got any drug you can think of
And he’ll sling it your way everyday but the Sabbath Day

Well I know this small sect of Muslims
Who don’t like drug dealers so they kill ’em
Every three from afar you can hear them praying to Allah

So who are we to give up on anyone?
And he that is without sin first cast the stone
Judge not lest ye be judged with the same judgment

But who are we to give up on anyone?
And he that is without sin first cast the stone
Judge not lest ye be judged with the same judgment
Same judgment, same judgment

I’m married to the backslider but we are in love
So who are you to talk about a life that I have touched?
Be a people person, be a people person

And I know this girl named Bonita
Her name Bonita, they call her freaka

Well I know this dude who’s a preacher
You can feel the anointing when he meets ya
But I refuse to ignore he be lusting for the deacon board

And I know this woman who be praying
Hear them spiritual words she be saying
Get a drink in her hand and she’ll curse you like a sailor man

So who are we to give up on anyone?
And he that is without sin first cast the stone
Judge not lest ye be judged with the same judgment

But who are we to give up on anyone?
And he that is without sin first cast the stone
Judge not lest ye be judged with the same judgment
Same judgment, same

Well, I know this girl named Bonita

A Yeyo’s Letter

To my darling daughter,

So much is happening right now in anticipation of your arrival, that has everyone excited! All of your aunties and I are working very hard to make your baby shower a fantastic event. There’s lots of planning, researching, food tasting, and shopping going on! You’ve even received a few gifts already! There’s so much love surrounding you already, and I know that you’ll feel it the moment you enter this world.

Your father and I are doing our part to prepare for the day you come home. We really can’t wait to see your cute little face! This is your 23rd week in my womb – so you are more than half the way there toward your birthday. I think about you so much…what you’ll look like, what kind of personality you’ll have, what you’ll grow up to be.

I thank the Lord everyday that He has chosen me (and your dad) to bring you into this world.

Until next time, my dear.

Love,

Your Yeyo

A Yeyo’s Letter: Zoom! I like to fly way…

Dear Baby,

Today your dad and I just got back from Part 1 of our week long vacation. We wanted to take some time away to from it all and just relax now that I’m done with school.  We also wanted to get some travel time in before your arrival in November!

We had a great time in San Francisco. It was my first time there, and technically…yours too! We ate and ate and ate (part of which is your fault!), saw the sights and got some good sleep!  Now we’re home for a quick break before we head out to Las Vegas tomorrow!

Yesterday was your 16th week in my womb. I’ve learned that your eyesight and your ear drums are forming and you will be able to pick up my voice soon! So I hope you enjoy all of the sights and sounds of Vegas with us while we’re there. There’s lots to see and do!

I’ll be back soon with pictures from our trip.

With love,

Your Yeyo

A Yeyo’s Letter: It’s all for you (a letter to my baby)

Dear My Precious Child,

Today was a magnificent day in my life and in our life as family and even though you were there through it all inside me tummy, I want to explain to you what was going on. After two long years of lots of hard work, I graduated from graduate school with my Master’s degree! It has been a long journey…but I did it with the strength and support of the Lord, your dad, and our family and friends.

I decided to go back to school to get this degree in an effort to try and do all I can to provide you with the life I’ve always wanted to give you – one filled with love, support, and the encouragement to go out and realize your dreams. Your father and I both feel that education is the key that unlocks the door for success, and even starting now, we want to pass that key onto you.

Just thinking about you today and how much more my life will change once you’re here makes my heart so full! You make me so happy already, and you’re not even here yet! There are lots of other people too who can’t wait to hold you in their arms and meet you for the first time.

Thank you sharing in my special day with me, making it 1,000 times more special!

With love,

Your Yeyo