I love meeting new people, and what better new little person to meet than Ella Rose!
Born to Cedrick and Emily just five months ago, she is already ahead of the curve. She bounces like a pro, her super strong legs propelling her off your knees and into the air. She is super chatty, always wanting to join the conversation with her babbling. She's quite observant, always wanting to see what is going on around her. (She took a shine to staring at Andy. I can't blame her; he is so cute!) And she's a super chill kid, at least from what I saw tonight. Even though she didn't get her nap today, she never cried or yelled once. She just decided to take a quick cat nap so the grown ups could talk for a few minutes.
Cedrick and Andy lived together before Andy and I got married. (Actually, they lived in a two bedroom apartment with four other guys.) Not sure how they managed, but I know that Cedrick played an important role in Andy's spiritual life and he still remembers their time together fondly. We couldn't have been happier for him when he met and married Emily. She's a beautiful and authentic young woman who can speak from the heart in a way that is genuine, but not sappy. I've yet to meet many people like her. And she loves and respects Cedrick, which makes her that much more wonderful!
Catching up was such a treat, and that's what it was, mostly catching up, and also oooing and ahhhing over such a cute little one. When we first set up the double date, I wasn't sure what to expect, or how I would react. You see, Ella's due date was just a few weeks earlier than our December 21 due date.
Would I be able to respond to her? Would it hurt to much? Would I pine for the child I lost?
But you know what? All I saw was Ella, and her utter adorableness. I saw Cedrick and Emily's excellent (but exhausted) parenting skills. And I didn't wish for something different. In fact, I didn't even think about it at all.
I just enjoyed our two and a quarter friends.
Make some time this weekend to enjoy the people you love. You won't regret it!
What a cutie patootie. Those round rosy cheeks are just made to be kissed.
ReplyDeleteTell me how you are, my friend. How are things going with your home? Still noisey machines? Hope not.
How does your garden grow? Have you been able to plant anything yet? We have had a very cool spring. We had night temps in the forties and fifties this past week. Had to cover all the vegetable plants at night. My herbs have sprouted and will need to go in pots soon. I want to get a few new pretty pots for the porch.
I looked at your book selections and they all look wonderful. I think we will be in for some good reading this summer.
I know you have a big day tomorrow. Don't be nervous. Just know that many of your friends will there in present and some in spirit (me) with much encouragement. You will be great!!!
Have a wonderful weekend xoxo
Well our home is still torn apart, but the machines are gone. It's really just a mess! I apologized to Andy today because it's such a mess, but there's really nothing that can be done. The insurance company is taking care of it now, thankfully, and I'm just waiting for the restoration company to get the job done. I'm hoping by the end of May our space will be put back together again and looking wonderful!
DeleteI actually spent a big part of the afternoon and evening planting today. I'll post pics tomorrow (I didn't take any today because, before I realized it, darkness had fallen!) It sounds like your herbs are doing great! Did your plants survive the low temps?
I'm actually about to start reading Never Let Me Go. I hear it's good, so I'm hopeful I'll enjoy it. Today was the perfect day to read outside, but I really wanted to get the garden started, so I postponed my reading. Let me know how you enjoy your reading list.
Thanks so much for the encouragement! It actually went so well this afternoon! I wish I had a recording of it, but oh well. Next time. I heard lots of great things, and though I was shaking like a leaf, I was so glad to be brave enough to share my heart.
Only a few more weeks and then you're done with school!! Is it okay if I admit I might be a little jealous? But I would be going off and backpacking across Europe if I had a summer off. Poor Andy would get left behind! ;) Looking forward to hearing about all your projects and how they come along.
I hope you have a great Monday, friend! xoxo
I hope by the end of May you will have your home back and better than ever!
ReplyDeleteI covered my plants everynight and they made it o.k.
Eighteen more days till the end of school. I wish I was spending the summer in Europe. Maybe not backpacking but I was thinking yesterday I wouldn't mind renting a house in Devon or Cornwall for a month especially if I also had a Britrail pass in my pocket. I've not spent any time in that part of England.
I cheated ! I couldn't help myself. I had intended to wait till school is out to start my reading list but over the weekend I read Hunting Shadows. This book is part of a series written by Charles Todd. This is a pen name for a mother and son writing team. They actually write two somewhat similar series. The Inspector Ian Rutledge series and the Bess Armstrong series. Hunting Shadows is a Ian Rutledge mystery. Rutledge is a Scotland Yard detective.He was a young detective just begining his career at the yard when he left to serve in WWI. He came home from the war with what at time was called shell shock, but what we know today as ptsd. That is part of the back story of all of the Rutledge novels. He is back to work and each case he is assigned takes him and thus the reader out to disparate parts of England or Scotland. I've not read alot about WWI or this period in England so it has been very interesting for me. Hunting Shadows takes place in August 1920. Ins. Rutledge is called on to investigate two murders in the Fen country of England. The first murder takes place at a society wedding in the cathedral city of Ely the second murder takes place in the nearby town of Wiston. The two victims seem unrelated in any way. Shortly after his arrival there is a failed attempt of a third murder. It falls to Ins. Rutledge to scour the area and try to tie these cases together. The story is detailed, the characters well developed, and as always you come away with such a knowledge of the area. In this case the Fen country of Cambridgeshire, you feel you could walk the streets of Ely and Wiston and feel right at home. Great book, great series.
I look forward to hearing about Never Let Me Go. Hope you enjoy it.:)
Now I'm interested in reading the Ian Rutledge series! I loved your synopsis! It sounds awesome! You must be a great reader if you read it over the weekend. I've started Never Let Me Go, but I'm super confused! I actually had to look up on Wikipedia what was happening. Now that I know where it's going, my understanding of what is going on is much clearer. I do think I'll like it - seems to be thought provoking.
Delete16 more days?!? Almost there! You can make it! The English countryside sounds like an amazing vacation! Cornwall is the countryside, correct? A little cottage, reading books, taking day trips...sounds like a dream! Put it on your travel list...
Did you see my flowers? Ahhh, Julia, it's so nice to sit outside on the patio now, which is great since we really can't sit inside the house since our relaxing space is all taken apart. And some of the flowers smell so gooooood! The weather here is perfect right now, 70/80s, and there is a consistent light breeze that brushes across your cheeks and cools you off. It's St. Louis at its best!
We have a contractor coming tomorrow to estimate the renovation. Fingers crossed that this will all be put back together by the end of May.
Julia, thank you for being such a kind and supportive person. I so appreciate you pouring your wisdom and knowledge into me. Much love! Have a great rest of the week!