A letter to Audrey

Dear Audrey,

Well, Grammie is back home in Alabama after spending a wonderful week with you and Owen. I have so many moments to smile about as I think back on it...

So, you are now a one year old! I'm not sure that you understand what a "birthday" is all about yet, but you certainly did enjoy the delicious cake and ice cream that you lapped up in joy. Of course, most of it was smeared around your sweet face by the time that you were done...but, that is the fun part of being the one year old birthday girlie!

My dear Audrey, you are quite a "pistol" as you try and get into anything and everything. You even like to rough and tumble with your brother as you giggle your way through it the whole time. I would worry that he was "squashing" you...but, you would emerge smiling and laughing as you played together. You are going to be a force to be reckoned with one day!

When I arrived, you were walking cautiously with those arms of yours outstretched for someone to catch you on the "other side". By the time that I left, you were much more stable on those tiny feet of yours as you observed the world from a vertical standpoint....and, seemed to really like it.

I loved watching you play in the little kitchen that the grandparents bought for Owen last year. You push the buttons...pour the pretend coffee into little cups...."fry" the eggs in the miniature fry pans on the stove...etc. etc. And, of course, you taste the fake food...until you realize that it isn't very good as it is made out of tasteless plastic!

Some of my favorite moments with you were sitting quietly in your bedroom on the rocking chair...Taking a break from your bottle, you would lay your head on my chest...then look up at me and grin. I sang songs to you like "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" which seems to be one of your favorites. When I would finish singing it, you would do the baby sign language symbol for "more", curl that precious mouth of yours and say "Row, row!!". I guess that at your age you haven't realized what a terrible singing voice your Grammie has! Unfortunately, one day you probably will... : )

When you hear music from a toy or CD you immediately begin to dance and bounce up and down. You are so full of joy...I love to watch your every move.

Your curiosity is unending as you explore the world around you. Your attention span is quite short right now as you get interested in one thing for a couple of seconds before moving on to another. You can single-handedly pull every toy out of the basket within minutes...always looking for something to hold your attention and delight you...while throwing the rest aside.

At mealtime you remind me of a baby bird. Sometimes we can't get the food onto your high chair tray quickly enough....sometimes we cut up all kinds of delicious treats only to have you push them away as you shake your head "no" from side to side. Hey, you know what you want, don't you!?!

Your smile reveals two tiny teeth on the bottom of your mouth...but, you are able to "gum" your food quite well. This skill may come in handy one day when you are a senior citizen without many teeth!

Your beautiful blue eyes are open wide to everything around you. Your Mimi and I would laugh when they would dart from me to her and back and forth again and again. Sometimes you looked at us like we were absolutely crazy ladies! And, you know what? You were right! Somehow grandmothers become bluthering idiots when they get around the grandkids. You will undestand one day...

Audrey, I have so many things that I want to tell you...but, I know that I must be patient and wait until you are old enough to hear and understand them. I love the fact that we now have two girls in the family (you and Celia)...The boys were dominating the births for a while...so, a little pink is nice to see! Having brought up two boys, I am anxious to spend time with my little granddaughters and talk "girl to girl" with you!

I love to look at all of the pictures that were taken during my visit...the miles may separate us...but not our hearts.

I love you so very much and can't wait until we are together again.

XOXO

Your Grammie