Twenty-four Months

This is a picture of my Daughter with her precious baby Kya. My Granddaughter was only a few days old when I took this picture, and at the time I mentioned that it appeared that she was aware of smiling for the camera. Literally thousands of pictures later I can attest that Kya really did know the magic of the lens. Like my Daughter, she is a magnet for a camera......... so photogenic the two of them.

Today Kya Isabella turns TWO. I think this is the point that I am supposed to insert the pout notation :(     But the truth is that it has been the most magical time for us as a family having this Angel in our lives. She is the one responsible for our generous smiles over the last two years.  :)

I wrote last year about the BIG ONE birthday here and the birthday soiree here. Baby K wasn't the only one experiencing firsts, this 'first' baby turned our world upside down in the most wonderful way. Our family has rejoiced in the special addition of this sweet little girl.

I love this picture of Kya sitting in Richard's hands. She looks SO tiny at only a week old, and yet her expression is something that we have a glimpse of every time she is intently watching something {usually Elmo}.

It is amazing how much a little person can impact your life. I watch Richard literally melt when she wraps her arms around his neck..... he holds back the tears of joy every time.
Uncle Dallas has a bevy of pictures on his phone and all around his apartment of his 'munchkin'. She bops into the room and says 'Hi Daz'..... another man melting at her feet.

There was something from the very start, a feeling really that I had before she was born; I just knew that my Granddaughter and I would have a special bond..... and we do.


 

Kya getting an early start on cake.

Kya can count to 16, spell her name, identify colours on items without being prompted {future designer}, and can operate all of the electronic items we own {and unlock phones}. Her boyfriend is Elmo, and she mentions his name as many times a day as a 16 year old girl who has discovered dating.
She is the happiest little girl I've ever seen - and that is because my Daughter provides the right amount of love and discipline.

I am cautious adding pictures to the blog of my Granddaughter - usually selecting ones that are early images or distant shots. My Daughter agreed that giving everyone a peak at Kya's cute-ness now would be nice.

So here she is ..... the birthday girl. Our little Angel. 

Twenty-four months ...... TWO .......wow, the time has just flown by.

Happy Birthday Kya Isabella.

In the Wink of an Eye

First Birthday

Happy Birthday Son.

I don't know how it all happened so fast. In the wink of an eye my Son grew from my baby boy into a mature man. And now he is turning thirty.

Wasn't it just yesterday that we were up in the wee hours of the night drinking.......... milk? As the first baby, he generously allowed me to try out my parenting skills without even a manual to guide us along the way.

15 Months

There will be 30 candles on Dallas' cake this year (ok, we won't put them all on at once). I was thinking back today over so many incredible heart tugging memories of my Son; he has given me a million reasons to be boastful and proud. We are blessed with a wonderful and warm relationship.

Dallas & Mom at the photo booth

I could write pages and brag for hours about how special Dallas is; not just because he's my Son. We all benefit from his quick wit, compassionate nature and devotion to his family and friends.

Dallas 

When you blow out the candles on your cake, make a big wish. 

There is no one more deserving of having all their birthday wishes come true, than wonderful, wonderful YOU.

Happy Birthday. Love Mom

ONE'derful

Today our baby Granddaughter turns ONE! 

Wait, stop the clock, how did that happen so fast. It feels like it was only yesterday that our darling Angel arrived.

I am so very fortunate to have wonderful relationships with both of my children. My own baby, my Daughter, was going to become a Mommy and I wanted to be there for every step along the way. My Daughter made me promise to be in the delivery room no matter what, as if wild horses could have kept me away.
Richard and I got the call around 4 AM; 'Mom, I'm in labour'.
My heart was racing as we went to my Daughter. I was excited for her. I was excited for us. Life was about to happen. Life was about to change.

Sharing this experience with my Daughter was the ultimate gift for me. I can continue to play back in my mind the moment my Granddaughter was born, all of her dark hair, her little pout (like Mommy's), her pretty little face. And I will never forget the look of love on my Daughter's face the moment she first saw her baby. It was a beautiful gift to share the experience of the baby's birth together.
I cried my heart out, I was so filled with joy. My Son arrived, and he is so much like me.... filled with tears of relief for his Sister and joy for the birth of his niece. Richard, was suddenly immersed in the role of 'Grandpa'; and Kya couldn't have picked a better man to fit the part.

It has been the most incredible year for all of us. It is a joy having a baby around.
We have learned to calm down, slow down, enjoy the simple things that having a baby around can bring to your life. 

She has turned our hearts inside out with her vivacious dimple smile. I know that every parent believes their child is 'the cutest', but we get stopped all the time when we are out with Baby K, she is a little beacon of light.

My Daughter is an incredible Mother and the evidence is in the happiest little disposition anyone would ever see on a baby.

We are enjoying spoiling our Granddaughter as much as we enjoy bragging about how sweet and darling she is. The truth is that Baby Kya is spoiling all of us with the love she brings out in everyone.
We hosted a big birthday party this past weekend with extended family and friends, and the birthday girl had  some advance opportunity to try her little hands at the cake.

It's been a wonderful year watching Baby Kya grow. And I know my Daughter will be sad today that her little girl is one already; but she is smart enough to know that she is blessed to have a healthy and happy child.

Happy Birthday Kya. You are loved.

We are blessed.

with LoVe from Grandma & Grandpa


** watch for the upcoming posting on Kya's big birthday party.

Birthday Girl

Today is my birthday. I'm usually quiet about this, not wanting to make a big deal about the day. I prefer to fuss over everyone else and make their day special.
But my big sister Donna sent me a great birthday message this morning with some pictures, and this one of me in a playpen was included. My Sister came across a photo of herself a few weeks ago of when she was a baby and said - 'Wow, I was a cute baby'. For sure and she still is cute!

Baby Katherine

So thanks Sis, for the birthday hug and for sharing this pictures of two cute babies.

Baby Donna

Paris Romance

I took this picture while lying in bed. What a great site to wake up to.

Mr Romantic took me to Paris for my five-O birthday a couple of years ago. He showed me a picture of Hotel Des Saint Peres in Paris, which featured a room with a 17th century fresco painted ceiling. There is only one room at the hotel like this and Richard was wondering if I would like to stay in this romantic little spot for my birthday (are you kidding me!). The room was available for the dates we wanted :: Happy Birthday to me!

The ceiling is decorated with a 300 year old fresco painted by the Ecole de Versailles. It represents 'the virtue' and 'the goodwill' under the cherubs gaze.

pic from Hotel des Saint Peres

The hotel features rooms that are listed as deluxe and superior - and well, then there is the over-the-top-ultimate-romantic-room we stayed in.
My honey really knows how to ease the pinch of big birthday numbers. Thanks Honey.