3 Months of Pure Joy!

Well, today sweet Hattie is 3 months old, and I just want to stop the clock. I want to bottle up this time of her adorable, precious baby-ness before it slips away. She is still a "roll with the punches" kind of girl, but then again...she doesn't really have much choice. Her routine is picture perfect. She is still on a sleep, eat, play routine that cycles every 3 hours. And as of about a week ago, she is sleeping through the night. She goes down around 9:30'ish while she is awake but drowsy. She is usually asleep by 10 and has been waking up to eat between 6 or 7AM and then she goes back down, but not usually for very long. Afterall, we have to be on the road by 8:15 to get Leah to preschool. We stepped on the scale this morning, and you are weighing in at 12 lbs, 6 oz. The three month clothes are starting to feel a little snug, but the 6 month clothes are too big! It presents quite the fashion challenge, but I don't mind. Those 3-6 months clothes will fit soon enough.

Hattie cakes, you have become much more alert. You love to look around and just this past week you REALLY started paying attention to the dogs. When they run by you, your eyes follow them quickly. You have found your voice, but don't have a lot to say. And when you do want to tell us a story, you do so very quietly...quite the opposite of your big sisters. You started rolling over on Sept. 4th, and there was no stopping you. And now you refuse to sleep anyway, but on your tummy. In addition to sleeping on your tummy, you found your thumb. I thought for sure you would be a finger sucker like Kiersten or stick to the pacifier, like Leah but no...I think you are determined to be different from your sisters, and that's okay too! You are quickly calmed by mommy's singing, but I rarely have to calm you...you are one content little angel. But when I do sing, it's "You are my Sunshine"...the same song I've sang to all three of my perfect girls. So far you've brought me nothing but joy, and I have a pretty good idea that trend will continue. Love, Love, Love my sweet Hattie!!!

Celebration of Life

Shortly after my Grandma passed away my mom asked me if I would be willing to speak at the funeral. I know, right!!! How on Earth, could I possibly stand up and talk about this woman who meant so much to me at the same time I had to say my final goodbyes??? But I said yes. So I sat down and starting writing. I wrote little notes about how much she meant to me and all the really special memories I have. On Monday when the time came I felt prepared...that is until the music started. We opened her service with the hymn "How Great Thou Art"...and I can't sing that song on a good day. Almost 22 years ago we opened my Grandfather's funeral with the same hymn, so every time I hear it I am 12 years old, saying goodbye to my Grandfather again. Before we were halfway through the first verse, I was a sobbing mess. It was followed by a reading of Psalm 23 by my sister. Then I was up. It was my turn. I tried not to cry but I did. There was so much to say, and I only got to say half of it, because I was afraid that my sorrow would overtake me. So I want to share ALL of it here.

If there is one thing I know about my Grandma, it's how very much she loved her family. You could see it in her face and hear it in her voice when she talked about anyone of us. She was everything that a Grandma should be and more. Her love was so unconditional and pure. If she didn't agree with our choices or behaviors she never let it show. In my teenage and young adult years we wrote letters to one another. Something that my mom says that I acquired from her. They were never anything special...just a little card here and there, and after I was married with children I often sent her pictures of my kids. She loved to write about going to church with different ladies and out to lunch. She always shared her babysitting adventures with Tyler. He was born when I was 15, so she enjoyed many years of one on one time with him. Time that she truly cherished. As a college student I interviewed her for a class project. I learned so much more about her life at that time, and I'm so glad I took the opportunity to sit and talk with her. 

Through our letters and my interview with her, she taught me so many things...even when she wasn't trying to teach me. Most of all, everyone has a cross to bear in this life, but it's up to you if you let those burdens weigh you down. Her life wasn't always the easiest, but she bore her crosses with grace and dignity. She truly, honestly had the most giving heart. Well into her 70's she continued to give to those she loved and to her community as an election judge and as a volunteer for the red cross. She gave fellow church members a ride to bible study, ladies aide and church services. It's easy to see where my own mother inherited her philanthropic heart. 

Many of my memories are about her cooking. When I spoke with Laura shortly after she passed, one of the first things we talked about was her cooking. Dylan loved her Christmas Cookies, and thankfully Heather took the time to learn how to bake them. Laura couldn't get enough of her chicken and noodles. Matt absolutely adored her cherry pies, and they were even more special because they were made with cherries off the tree right outside her kitchen window, but for me it was her biscuits and gravy. When I asked her for the recipe, there was no recipe to be had. I stood at her stove in her kitchen and she taught me. I know how to make it by heart now, but the most important ingredient was her love. Now I make it for my family and they love it as much as I do. 

I will never forget my time spent as a child in her house in Buckingham. I got to be a kid in the purest form of the word. I played with my cousins, had fun and experienced a grandparent's love. 

My grandmother planned her own funeral years ago, and in her final days, my mother and uncles found a poem that she left for us. I would like to share that with you now:

To My Family, 

When I must leave you for a  little while

Please, do not grieve and shed wild tears, 

And hug your sorrow to you through the years,

But start out bravely with a gallant smile,

And for my sake and in my name

Live on and do all things the same.

Feed not your loneliness on empty days

But fill each waking hour in useful ways.

Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer,

And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near.

And never, never be afraid to die...

I'm waiting for you in the sky!

                          

                                With Love, 

                               From your Mom and Grandma

I did great reading the poem, that is, until the last line. I just couldn't hold back the tears and that's okay. My Grandma wasn't afraid to show a little emotion, so I know she wasn't bothered by mine. Many of my mom's friends shared with me after the service that even though they never met my grandmother, I made her very real to them. And that meant a lot to me.

On Sunday night, before the service our family gathered at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kankakee. We walked over to a little Mexican Restaurant where they easily accommodated our party of 26. It felt so good and so right for us all to be together at that moment in time. We caught up with one another and shared memories. After dinner we sat in the lobby of the Hilton for a few more hours and shared our favorite stories. My mom gave each one of us a paperweight that belonged to Grandma. She collected them and always had them in her windowsill. I had copies of my Grandparents pictures made for all my cousins, the ones posted here on the blog in addition to some other ones of when we all were kids growing up in their home. While we were sitting there catching up, I couldn't help but think that Grandma and Grandpa were finally together in heaven after 22 years, and they were looking down on us thinking "We did good." I know someday I will see them again, but for now the victory is theirs.

The Girls and Grandma

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" -Matthew 5:4

Grandma and Leah, July 2008

Grandma and Kiersten, June 2010

Grandma and Hattie, August 2012

Today was my Grandmother's funeral. It was a long, hard day. I hate goodbyes...always have. As we began to make our way back to the church from the burial in the cemetery, I said to my brother, sister and cousins: "Let's not be sad that she is gone, lets be happy that we had 30+/- years with her, everyone should be so lucky to have their grandparents for that long." So for now I am going to focus on that. I am going to take comfort in the fact that she was a part of my life for over 34 years. I will be grateful that I knew, and was loved by such a wonderful woman, and I will rejoice in the fact that she is no longer confined to a wheelchair and that she can dance with my grandfather in heaven. And above all, I am so HAPPY that she had the chance to meet and hold all three of my daughters. And while they might not remember her, I will tell them stories so that they too may know her love.

A Wonderful Woman



 

Yesterday I lost my grandmother, Evelyn Schaumburg. We knew it was coming, and as much as I tell myself that we had time to prepare, it doesn't make it any easier. She was amazing...everything that a Grandma should be. When I was a kid I LOVED going to her house, and I couldn't wait to see her. She was so loving...and a great cook. We joke about what a food pusher she was, always encouraging you to eat more. And of course we did, because it was so good. Homemade Cherry Pies, with cherries picked from the tree right outside the kitchen window. Homemade chicken and noodles, Beautiful and delicious Christmas cookies made with cookie cutters. What wasn't to love...it was always good eating, but it was the extra love that made it all the more special.

I can remember going up to visit her on my own after my grandfather passed away. We would find stuff to do in little Buckingham, we would walk and talk on our way to the post office. We would drive into Kankakee for a movie and of course some ice cream! She even came to Charleston to stay with us quite a bit.  Laura and I were recalling some of those memories on the phone yesterday after she passed. Laura LOVED to "shock" Grandma and it wasn't very hard to do. When Laura was in 7th grade and in her confirmation classes we were in my mom's kitchen and Laura just blurts out "Grandma, did you have premarital sex???" Oh.My.Goodness!!! Her face was priceless and she actually answered her...honestly! It was so funny, and something we still laugh about today...and it was the first of many shock value moments between Laura and Grandma. Eventually she got used to them and would just shake her head and laugh. I can still hear her laugh...I hope that never goes away.

 

Laura and I talked about other memories, camping trips to KOA in Casey that included our great Uncle Marlin, Aunt Dorothy and cousins Angie, Amber and Abby. Trips to Arizona after Laura started college in Arizona. One thing you can say about my Grandma, she lived her life to the fullest. Into her late 70's she continued to work as an election judge and was named Red Cross Volunteer of the year in 1999 or 2000. What a special lady. She was a loyal and faithful servant to the Lord and served on commities at church and attended bible studies and services regularly. But most importantly, she loved her family...they always came first. In her final days my mother and her two brothers kept vigil at my Grandma' bedside, none of them wanting her to be alone. On Thursday afternoon they all left her room for a few minutes, and it was then that she decided she was ready to go. She was protecting her children to the end, and didn't want them to see her die. I know where my mom gets her "mothering" and strength from and I hope that I can carry on the tradition. So for now, It's not Goodbye...It's see you later. You will continue to be loved and missed the remaining days of our lives. 

 



On a Roll!

 

Well, it happened...Hattie rolled over on Sept. 4th. And she hasn't slowed down since. Now she is rolling all over the place, and loving her freedom. She rolls on the floor, she rolls on her play mat, she rolls in her co-sleeper and wakes herself up in the middle of the night. I remember when Kiersten was a baby, she liked to be swaddled so I always put her in a swaddling blanket to sleep. Well one morning I went into her bedroom and she was face down in her crib. Scared me to death! Thankfully Hattie doesn't like to be swaddled so when she rolls over she uses her arms to maneuver about. Kiersten rolled over between 2-3 months, and so as far as I can tell Hattie is right on schedule. Kiersten also crawled just before 6 months...don't be in such a rush sweet Hattie. Stay my precious little baby a little bit longer, please!!!!

A Few Firsts and More

Sweet Hattie is changing right before my eyes. She no longer looks like a newborn, and is more like an infant (SIGH). I love the newborn stage, and Hattie has really made it pretty easy. Just look at that sweet face, how could I NOT love this stage?!?!? While her looks are changing, there are other changes happening too. On August 17th, she sat in her bumbo seat for the first time. She only lasted a few minutes, but you have to start somewhere. On August 31st, we heard her laugh for the first time. It was so cute...what made it even cuter was that she did it in her sleep. Mitch and I laid her down in the co-sleeper and went about our business getting ready for bed. I laid my head on my pillow, Mitch kissed me goodnight and it happened. Her eyes were completely closed and yet she laughed the sweetest little chuckle. Then the next day, she was napping on Mitch's chest and she did it again. Her eyes were completely closed, but she had the biggest goofiest grin on her face. It immediately reminded me of family vacations when I was younger. We would all be in a hotel room sleeping and would wake up to Laura laughing in her sleep, too funny.

And finally, today she slept in her crib for the first time. It's just a nap...I'm not ready to put her in there overnight yet, but I figure she needs to get used to it sooner rather than later. Wish us luck, although, most things have been smooth sailing with Hattie so I can only assume this will be the same. That about covers it. Of course her sisters are still loving her to pieces. I think Kiersten has to hug and kiss her ten times a day and asks to hold her all the time. I love that they love her...it's a love that will only continue to grow. Lucky girls!