Gracie Lou

 When I picked up Gracie from 2 year-old preschool today, she was wearing this star necklace that said, "Leader" with "I'm Special" written on the back of the star.  Yes, my little Gracie Lou, you are indeed so very special.

You are the ONLY grandchild that I have ever been able to babysit Monday - Friday.  I have always worked, but now I am retired and I get the highest honor of watching you grow up right before my eyes.

One of the highlights of my day (on Tuesdays and Thursdays) is to pick you up from preschool.  You are as happy to see me as I am you!  I know you must wonder as you are standing at the door with all of the other children, is someone here to pick me up?  I try to be one of the first in line because I do not want you to even think about, "when is my turn?"  You are always dressed so cute!

We always go get something to eat together on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  It's either Chick-fil-A or McDonalds and I love the way you say those words....."Chick-a-lay" and "Miss Donalds."  Also, you have a hard time saying your "S" so I love the way you say swim (you say, "I want to whim").  I love hearing your sweet little voice!

You can tell that I am a grandmama, because with all of my grands, I just soak up all of their voices and actions......some of the things that's easily taken for granted as a parent on a day-to-day basis.  Sometimes, as you and our other granchildren are running around in the yard, I just stop and look at that beautiful sight and thank God for my grands. 

You truly are a beautiful little girl.  You have that olive skin tone, a dimple on one cheek, beautiful brown eyes, and a smile that melts my heart and a personality that goes with it all.......and I must say, a strong personality.  You light up any room!

You want to wear "jamas" every single day and all day long!  You usually have a melt down if I try to get you into any other clothes.  It's OK though.  If that is what you want to wear, then fine by me.  I don't blame you.....if I could, I'd wear my pajamas all day long too! 

I love rocking you to sleep for your nap each day.  You always want to read the same book.  Actually, we don't so much read it as you love to look at the pop-up pictures.  It's a book about a tractor, combine, farm crops and animals.  I try to get you to lets read a different book, but for now, you are stuck on the same book.  Just another one of your strong personality traits.

I rock you every day in Mama Dee's rocking chair.  You have learned the routine.  First, we go to your room and I close the window blinds and you turn on the sound machine.  Next, you always get your bunny and blanket from your crib.  Then, you go and pick out a book for me to read.  Little do you know, the blanket you grab is a very special blanket.  It's the very last blanket that Mama Dee crocheted for a great grandbaby-to-be.  Mama Dee passed away before your mama was even pregnant with you, so Mama Dee had no idea who she was making the blanket for, but I'm sure, she would have been so proud that it was for you.  She loved all of her great grandchildren and I so wish she could have met the baby she was making the blanket for.  We talk about Mama Dee sometimes when I'm rocking you.  You always say something about Mama Dee making the blanket for you.  You can't understand where she is and I know that you don't know who she is, but we still talk about her.

Today, when I rocked you, we played and talked for a long time.  I looked so closely into your beautiful eyes, face-to-face and just thought about how lucky I am to get to be with you every day (Monday-Friday at least).  We laughed and giggled way too long, but oh, what a little joy you are!  I only have this year and next year with you and then off to school you will go.  Your mommy will be so happy to have you at school with her every day, although, I will be sad, but it's all part of growing up and me growing older.

I love you, Gracie Lou!  I adore you and even miss you when you are sleeping. I'm sitting here writing this and watching you in the video monitor while you take a nap.  I just want to go and pick you up and squeeze you tight!  You are my last grandchild and I just want to hold on forever!

Mama Lou