Crazy Love Gamble-Style

Today is grandpa John's birthday.  I just received an email from him and it totally made me cry.  It seems fitting on his birthday to mention that I am really impressed with how much he has changed in the last several years.  You know, when I had my girls, these precious little angels, I wasn't sure what to do about my step father and his role in their lives.  I didn't have the best childhood with him, we had had some issues.  I felt like I needed to guard myself around him to not be emotionally hurt by him and I was scared for my kids getting hurt too.   That's not the nicest thing to say, but it is honest. I made a decision to embrace forgiveness and to keep an open mind.  I wanted him to have a good relationship with my girls and I really wanted to be a positive, supportive person of my mother's marriage.  Through the years I've just sort of hung back and watched to see how things would go and two things have happened, our relation...

Dear Norah, It makes me laugh now to think back to before you existed at all & how I really couldn't imagine loving another child as much as I love Ava. She was the first and had filled my heart so completely, it was hard to imagine that any one could come close in comparison with the overwhelming love I felt for her.  But I didn't know YOU.  You my dear are just as heart-stealing, just as precious, just as perfectly amazing as she ever was (even more so in some moments!).  You make us laugh constantly, you are hilarious.  You drag us around the house saying "C'mon!  Watch this!!"  You are so sweet & loving, you ask for hugs & kisses and say "Thanks Mom." when I give them to you.  You run into Ava's arms each morning so excited to have her join you in your fun day.  You two play so well together (most of the time).  It's just the sweetest thing.  You are in a constant struggle with wanting to do everything yourself...

 Dear Norah, You are 8 months old.  That is just plain crazy.  I really don't know where that time went.  Just yesterday morning you began actually crawling FORWARD.  I know we have not properly baby proofed our house and to be really honest, I don't think we will.  I know, I say that now.   We will see how it goes : )  Ava has far too many small things for me to contend with. You can hold your own bottle now.  What a relief, my work here is done. I'm kidding, it always bugs the crap out of me when I see someone awkwardly holding your bottle for you, I want them to pick you up and snuggle you.  The way you would be snuggled if you were still nursing.  (I'm almost done being mad at you for quitting that, almost )  But I'm not going to lie, it is super awesome to be able to hand you your bottle and accomplish something else at the same time, like changing your diaper.  : ) You have 8 teeth now!?!  Ava alw...