HEART BEAT

December 22

Dear Baby Brown,

Simon spent the afternoon with me today. That’s because your mommy and daddy went to see Doctor Taylor for the first time. Doctor Taylor is the doctor who is going to deliver you to your parents. While they were visiting with the doctor, they listened to your heartbeat! Your daddy told me that they heard your heart beat at 160 beats per minute…that is fast! The “old wives’ tale” is that a fast heart beat means that the baby is a girl. Are you a girl?

Let me just tell you right now that your grandmother (me) doesn’t’ care whether you are a boy or a girl. I just want you to be healthy. BUT … If you are a boy, I know what to do! I know that boys are made of “… snakes and snails and puppy dog tails." I know that boys are rowdy and rough. I know about boys. I have had brothers and I have had sons….I know about boys!

If you are a girl….wow! I have never had a girl…I don’t even have “blood aunts”! My mother didn’t have a sister, my daddy didn’t have a sister, and I don’t have a sister! The only girl I know about is me, and I have always been a “tomboy.” I don’t know about girls! But people who have girls tell me girls are wonderful, amazing people. I do know that girls are made of “…sugar and spice and everything nice.” If you are a girl, I will be happy to learn what girls are like!

I will be the best grandmother that you have ever had!!

I will love you, whoever you are!

CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS

December 13, 2010

Dear Baby Brown,

This weekend I decorated the house for Christmas. I set the crèche on the mantle surrounded by garland. I put the lights and ornaments on the tree. And I hung the Christmas stockings. Right now there are four stockings hanging up at my house. When your daddy celebrated his first Christmas, my mother, your great-grandmother, made him a stocking with Santa Claus on it. She spent a long time working on it because it has lots of stitches and sequins to make it beautiful. When your Uncle Robert celebrated his first Christmas, she also made a stocking for him, but when it was finished, she didn’t think it was as fancy as the one she had made for your daddy, so she added a Christmas bell to make it more festive. Each stocking has its owner’s name at the top: Jay on one; Robert on the other. Until two years ago, those were the only two stockings at my house. Then, when your daddy married your mommy, I bought two more stockings and had names embroidered at the top: Christy – Simon. Now those stockings are hanging up too. Next Christmas there will be another new stocking hanging on the mantle at my house…and guess what? Your name will be at the top! I wonder what it will be? Of course, your name will depend on whether you are a girl or a boy. Will your parents choose a family name for you, or will your name be the beginning of a new tradition? One thing is for certain: whatever name they choose, it will be the perfect name for you!