Traditions

Dear Mia,

2012 marked the fourth year that your Daddy and I have visited Rader Family Farms in Normal, Illinois.  In 2009 we took Aaliyah and we underestimated how cold it could be out in the cornfield!  We ended up running out to the store to buy her a hat and gloves to wear!

We had SO much fun with Aaliyah that we talked everyone into going with us in 2010:

Then we went back again in 2011, this time you you still in my belly!

Which brings us to 2012 and the addition of you!  This was by far our busiest year, now that all of your cousins were old enough to do all of the farm activities.

I can't wait to see what this photo looks like next year!  You'll be a big girl and Josie will be there!  I'm already looking forward to it!

Love,

Momma

Rader Family Farm

Dear Mia,

This past weekend we took a trip to Rader Family Farms with the Snipes family and continued our annual tradition of fall fun during the Ropp Road Roundup!  You had a BLAST!

We started the day with lunch in LeRoy and then headed over to the farm.  It was a bit chilly so we had you bundled up for most of the day- pants, socks, slippers, sweater, wool hat, mittens and a fleece blanket!  We tried our best to keep you warm and then I made sure your bottles were nice and warm so those heated you up, too.

You're still a little small to fully enjoy all of the activities at the farm, but your cousins (and Daddy) had a great time on the jumping pillow, swings, bike race, corn bins and play houses.

You did get to go down the big slide, have your first hay rack ride and get your picture taken many, many times!

We were at the farm for almost six hours, and you were bright-eyed and in a great mood for most of it!  You love being outside, even if you're cold, and you had a great time watching all of your cousins run around and play.  At one point we were waiting for your cousins to go down the big slide and every time a kid popped out of the tube you'd squeal with excitement.  We can't wait to take you back to the farm again next year!

Love,

Momma

Who Loves You, Baby?

Dear Mia,

You are so loved. I know I say that a lot, but it is SO true. Last weekend (January 14th) your Grandma Snipes threw you a baby shower and it was one of the most special days of my life. I've been to plenty of baby showers in the past, all of which were get-togethers centered around the Mom-to-be. Your shower, however, was all about YOU and your Dad and I were just there to serve as gracious placeholders. Everyone was there to celebrate you, send you love, and give you gifts.

We started the day with a delicious lunch cooked by Grandma Snipes and then we all gathered in the living room. Your Grandma had asked everyone to bring with them a letter addressed to you, and then at the shower everyone read them aloud.

You received letters from your cousins Aaliyah and Corbin, Aunt Courtney and Uncle Josh, Great Grandma Grogg, Grandma Young, Grandma Snipes, Aunt Kirsten, Great Aunt Jill, Aunt Casey, and Aunt Amanda (who couldn't make it to the shower but still sent a letter!).

The letters from your cousins were very sweet (we're not 100% sure what Corbin's letter says... but I'm sure it's very nice!) but the letters from your aunts and especially your grandmothers were simply wonderful.  The tears started early with the letter from Great-Grandma Grogg, read by Aunt Jill.  Then your Grandma Snipes kept us crying as she described how badly your Dad has always wanted to be a Dad.  You're making his dream come true!

Your Grandma Young's letter was also very heart-felt and talked about all of the fun times we've all had together over the years.  I don't have a copy of the letter yet, but I'll be sure to add it here when I do!

After we finished reading the letters we wiped away our tears and started opening your presents!  You received SO many things!  A travel system, jumperoo, bathtub, clothes, shoes, and toys, toys, toys!

We finished the afternoon by enjoying delicious cake and telling funny stories about me and your Dad.  It was a spectacular day filled with family, love and laughter.  You're going to have SO much fun with this family when you get here, Mia!

Love,

Momma

Showered with Gifts

Dear Mia,

While we were in Michigan for the Young Christmas party, Aunt Carol and Aunt Courtney threw us a baby shower!  We started the morning with a delicious breakfast (and great conversation) and then we were given "Wishes for Baby" cards to fill out.  Each person at the shower answered the same ten prompts, giving their words of advice for you.

Aunt Carol, Aunt Emily, Momma, Daddy, Aunt Sue & Aunt Clare

Here are the cards your Dad and I filled out for you!  (Click to enlarge the photos for easier reading!)

 

We weren't allowed to share answers when we were filling out our cards so I think it's really funny that we had some similar answers!  We're both always thinking of the dogs... hoping that you'll learn to love them, and that you'll be careful around Buddy (arguably our grumpiest of the bunch!).  We both hope you will be thick-skinned, tough and not easily put down by bullies.  We hope you laugh often (especially when your Dad tries to make a joke), and above all else, we hope you become a strong, self-assured, independent person.

We have "Wishes for Baby" cards from everyone that was at the shower and here are some of my favorites:  

I hope you learn from your mistakes.  (Aunt Courtney and Aunt Colleen)

I hope you aren't afraid to love.  (Aunt Courtney and Aunt Colleen)

I hope you love with all your heart.  (Aunt Carol)

I hope you get to travel the world.  (Aunt Clare)

I hope you laugh more than you cry.  (Great-Grandpa and Grandma Young)

I hope you never forget to be thankful.  (Aunt Emily)

I hope you ignore ignorance.  (Aunt Sue)

I hope you become a mother.  (Aunt Colleen and Aunt Courtney)

I hope you respect a good slice of pizza.  (Aunt Emily)

I hope you grow into a nice girl like your Mom.  (Great-Grandpa and Grandma Young)

After I read the cards, we began to open presents.  Mia, you are really being spoiled!  Everyone was so generous, we were afraid all of your presents wouldn't all fit in the car for the ride home!  We can't wait for you to get here, Mia, and enjoy all of the clothes, rockers, blankets and toys that have been given to us.  (Let's just hope your Dad and I can figure out how to assemble everything before you arrive!)

Love,

Momma 

Holiday Happenings

Mia,

Christmas is the best time of the year.  I love it, your Dad loves it, and I think you're going to love it, too!  The best part is seeing all of our amazing family members and close friends.  This year we celebrated the season with many different parties.  The first was a gettogether with the Grogg family at Aunt Jill's house.  Everyone was there and we had a great time with the gift exchange!

Great-Grandpa Grogg, Caylor & Lily 

Grandma Snipes and Great-Grandma Grogg

The next weekend we left the dogs home with the dog sitter and trekked to Michigan for the Young family Christmas party at Aunt Carol's house.  We had a great time playing with all of your cousins (Cash, Briggs, Zain and Easton) and catching up with everyone.  We were also given some fabulous gifts for you!  You're not even here yet, and you're already the life of the party!

Momma and Briggs

Later that week, on December 23rd, we decided to host our first annual Christmas party at our house!  We invited your Dad's entire immediate family and Grandma Young, but unfortunately she couldn't make it.  We had a great dinner and then Aunt Courtney, Aaliyah, Lily, Corbin and I all did some Christmas crafts!

After the crafts were finished, we handed out our gifts to Grandpa and Grandma Snipes, Aaliyah, Lily, Bella and Corbin.  I got into the gift-giving mood, myself and let your Dad open one of the gifts I'd purchased for him- custom crochet viking hats for him and you!  I was so excited when he opened the gift, I almost started crying!  Since you're not here yet to wear the hat yourself, Bella graciously agreed to model for the photo op.  And Lily wanted to try one on, too!

Your Dad and I spent a quiet Christmas Eve together and it was really nice- exactly what we both needed after weeks of all these parties!  The next morning, after Santa had visited your cousins, we all went over to Grandma and Grandpa Snipes' house to open more presents!

Although Christmas this year was great, we couldn't help but think of how much better next year will be because you'll be here!  We can't wait to introduce you to the Grogg and Young families, and let them fall in love with you like I know they will.  We can't wait to host our 2nd annual Christmas party (with you as co-host!).  We can't wait for Santa to come down our chimney and leave you presents under the tree.  And we can't wait to take you over to Grandma and Grandpa Snipes' house to celebrate with all of your cousins.  Next Christmas is going to be magical, Mia.  Just wait and see!

Love,

Momma  

Thankful

Momma & Easton

Dear Mia,

This past Thursday was Thanksgiving and a perfect time to reflect on our lives and give thanks.  And Thanksgiving this year came just days after your cousin Easton was diagnosed with cancer, a very serious disease, and one that caught everyone by surprise.  This year I am thankful for medical professionals who chose to give up their holiday with friends and family so that they would be available to help those in need.  I am thankful for these dedicated men and women who were able to rush Easton into surgery and treat his disease almost immediately.  Because of their quick action, these selfless doctors, nurses and surgeons might have just prevented the disease from spreading further.  We'll have to wait and see, but I have a feeling that because it was caught early and treated immediately, Easton will not need to undergo any additional surgery or procedures.  A little Thanksgiving miracle.

Love,
Momma