Thirteen to Thirteen: Day 12

Lesson #12: Hire a "Manny"

From the day we told him we were expecting, I knew my dad was in love with his grandchild. When it came time for her arrival I think he would have beat Ben and I to the hospital if my mom had let him!

From the first time he met her, he called her his "Lovebug" and they've shared a special bond since the beginning.

Emily is truly blessed to have both sets of her grandparents nearby and involved in her life. But I'm choosing to write about "Poppy" tonight.

We had always planned that I would be a stay at home mom, but, 6 months in, circumstances were such that I was headed back to work part time. Deep down I knew that I was doing the right thing by financially contributing to our little family and, I'll admit that adult conversation helped keep my sanity, but I was a bit devastated to be missing out on that time with my precious girl and the thought of having to entrust her care to someone else.

So, what was a mom to do? Hire a "Manny". Yes...I hired my dad, "Poppy" to care for Emily while I worked. What a blessing that was!

Every day was an adventure: they read countless books pouring over the details on each page, watched education programs (I vividly recall my lesson on nocturnal animals-taught by my toddler), played dolls and hosted tea parties. I'll never forget the day that I got a text with a photo of his turquoise finger nails he had let her paint and his neck wrapped in a pink feather boa!

I am forever grateful for the way that he cared for her in my absence and for everything that all the grandparents have done to help shape Emily into the fine young lady she has become!

Thirteen to Thirteen: Day 11

Lesson #11: Be Yourself...Be "You-nique"

Having struggled most of my life with fear of fitting in and on a constant quest for approval, it brings me great joy to see Emily so sure of her self.

From the beginning, she has been a free spirit. (At times it has posed a challenge-don't ask about age 3 and her quest for independence.) She has always had her own sense of style, a mind of her own and has not buckled to the pressure to go with the crowd. I see her so comfortable with who she is, yet so humble, and it makes my heart happy.

 

(It's not every day you find "Cinderella" with a short messy hairstyle, a tattered hemline and muddy feet on a swingset!)

Thirteen to Thirteen: Day 10

Lesson #10: Great Things Come in Small Packages

Emily, they say "great things come in small packages" and it's so true. Like the time your daddy pulled a small ring box out and asked me to spend forever with him...or the time he surprised me with diamond earrings on my 25th birthday...and then there was the day that I wrapped a pair of tiny baby nail clippers in a small box and gave it to "Nana & Poppy" with a little note to announce that you were on the way.

But nothing proves that statement more than you, precious girl! You came into our lives weighing a mere 5 pounds, 4 oz. But let me tell you, the love we felt was immeasurable (and still is).

You were so tiny. The night we brought you home, as I dressed you, I sat on the edge of that hospital bed and cried uncontrollably. Your little outfit seemed to swallow you and I couldn't believe that I was being entrusted to care for such a tiny, delicate little person.

As terrified as I was that night, we brought you home and we've survived 13 years together!

I sit in awe as I think of how you've grown: physically, emotionally, intellectually...you have blossomed into an amazing young lady are are beautiful inside and out. You are smart, funny, talented, have a huge heart and contagious joy. I could stay up all night listing things, but I think you know how I feel.

You may have come to us in a small package, but you truly are the greatest gift we have ever received.

Thirteen to Thirteen: Day 9

Lesson 9: Daddies are a girl's first love!

I've always had a good relationship with my father and I'm pretty sure as the baby girl of the family I had him wrapped around my little finger. (My sister always insisted all I had to do was flash my smile at him and I'd get whatever I wanted.)

It wasn't until Emily came into our lives that I fully understood the daddy-daughter bond and how special it really is. Watching Ben father our precious girl brought it all into perspective. It has brought so much joy to me (and on occasion, a tear to my eye) to witness the love he has for her.

 

 

 

 

Ben: You are an amazing Daddy! Emily: Don't you ever forget it!

Thirteen to Thirteen: 6-8

Again, I'm playing catch up...

Friday evening we held a surprise party for Emily. Since Chinese New Year is on her actual birthdate (January 31) this year, we celebrated with a Chinese theme. We ordered up a bunch of takeout and invited a few of her friends.


She had no clue and was quite shocked and happy to come home to a party!

 

Which brings me to the lessons...

#6: Everyone needs a surprise party once in their lifetime!

#7: I CAN keep a secret every once in a while.

#8: There is NOTHING that compares to true friends. Emily is certainly blessed with some of the best and kindest friends a girl could wish for.

Thirteen to Thirteen: Day 5

Lesson #5:

Embrace the moment!

One of the MANY things I love about Emily is her ability to embrace each and every situation, take time out to soak it all in and live life to the fullest. 

One occasion in particular comes to mind...it was autumn and our calendar was full. Each time we left home we'd drive past the park at the end of the street and she'd point out the ever growing collection of fallen leaves blanketing the grass.

I knew what she was implying...she was envisioning the biggest, best "LEAF DAY" ever. She would frequently gather a handful of leaves from our yard, throw them in the air and cheefully exclaim, "LEAF DAY!"

We were busy, though. Who had time to walk to the park for the sole purpose of tossing some leaves in the air? Certainly not me!

But one afternoon, I brought her home from school and couldn't shake the stirring I felt to make that walk. I'm so glad I did. I will never forget that afternoon - the joy on her face as the leaves cascaded around her and the squeals of delight as she jumped into piles of crisp, crunchy autumn.

Had I not listened to that little internal prompting, I would've missed the moment. Especially since the very next morning, I drove by and watched as the village crew mulched the leaves into oblivion.

I encourage you to take time out to truly enjoy the moments in life. The chance may never come again. Make beautiful memories not regrets.

Thirteen to Thirteen: Day 4

Lesson #4:

You can do anything you set your mind to! Nothing is impossible!

There is little in life as awesome as watching your child setting a goal and remaining determined until they achieve it.

About 5 months into my pregnancy, an ultrasound predicted I was going to be the mama of a girl. As comes with the territory, my mind turned to all things frilly and pink. Never once did I imagine that I would be cheering her with damp eyes as her Tae Kown Do instructor tied a black belt around her waist!

I saw her set her mind on reaching that milestone and watched as she followed through and pressed on to make it. It wasn't easy, but she stuck with it and met the goal she had set for herself.

Emily Claire, you will go great places! Your determination is inspiring!

Thirteen to Thirteen: Day 3

So lesson #3 should have been posted last night, but yesterday was a hectic day and when I finally slowed down enough to think of it, I was in the upstairs hall headed to bed.

This is all part of the lessons learned through motherhood, including:

There will be days where things don't go according to plans and days that you get so wrapped up in motherhood that you forget everything else.. Go with it! Be flexible!

And...sometimes you just have to know when to call it a day, leave a few things unfinished and get some sleep while you can!
 

Proof that she really did sleep once in a while as a baby! :)

 (For the record, going to bed at a reasonable time instead of coming back down and opening the laptop was the right choice!)

Thirteen to Thirteen: Day 2

Life Lesson #2:

I think I taught her this one, but we certainly agree that...

"There is NOTHING like a good book."

Some of my most precious memories are of the times we have spent snuggling and pouring over the pages of a story and I will NEVER forget the first time she read to me!

I just can't say no to the purchase of a book. The times I have lectured that, "we're just buying what is on the list," as we enter a store only to have her sweetly ask for book are too numerous too count. Of course, my heart melts, my wallet opens and we come home with another great piece of literature to add to our collection!

Keep reading, sweet girl!

See you tomorrow for #3.

Thirteen to Thirteen: Day 1

In less than two weeks we will be celebrating a big birthday around here. Emily is turning 13. I cannot believe how the years have flown by and that in a matter of days we'll have a teenager in the house!

Thirteen years ago, with a flurry of emotion including excitement, anticipation and (I'll admit) fear, I walked (waddled) into that labor and delivery room to meet my precious girl. From the moment I laid eyes on her, my heart was bursting at the seams with love and I knew life would never be the same. Little did I know that winter night, just how much that tiny 5 pound, 4 ounce person was about to change me--for the better!

I am in awe of how much she has taught me over the years and thought it'd be fun to share some "Life Lessons According to Emily Claire".

#1...DON'T be afraid to express yourself. Accessories are a must...

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and you are NEVER to old to add a fun touch to your outfit!

Stop by tomorrow for Lesson #2.

One Word: FOCUS

Some years have found me conjuring up grand ideas for New Year's Resolutions. I made BIG plans which resulted in little results and ultimately feelings of failure and disappointment.Other years I didn't bother to make resolutions or even goals. It was if I just went along where life carried me without much thought as to where I was or was headed. Neither brought much in the way of accomplishment or joy in my life and left me longing for more.

Enter...One Word Three Sixty Five. I came across this concept and felt led to come up with my own word for the year. Immediately several came to mind and since I'm a bit of a "word nerd" it wasn't easy to select just one. But, after some deliberation I think I have settled on my theme for 2014: FOCUS.

Among others, I plan to:

Focus on setting goals and seeing them through...

Focus on following my dreams (no matter how far-fetched or out of reach they seem)...

Focus on my health...

Focus on being the wife and mother my little family deserves...

Focus on making my "house" a "home"...

My hope and prayer for this new year is that I can and will focus on what is important and let the rest blur into the background.

Love and blessings to you all as you begin 2014!