Sunday, February 6, 2011

15 days

Thank you all for your congratulations and kind words! It means so much to me. Thank you.

We have successfully made it through the first two weeks of Gemma's life! There have been a couple really difficult nights but the good nights are outweighing the bad.


I couldn't have survived if it weren't for my sweet husband, he is my rock. When I am an exhausted, sobbing, hormonal mess he can talk me down off the edge. Also my saintly mother. Maybe saintly is exaggerating but every time I have a baby she comes and stays with us for two weeks. She takes care of the other kids, makes food, cleans the house, does laundry, basically everything. Pretty saintly, right?


Gemma is doing really well. She is absolutely precious and we are all smitten with her. Liam loves to hold her and does a good job of making Gemma feel comfortable, she doesn't cry at all when he holds her. Sutton is so excited to have a sister to "play Barbies with". Ezra is always wanting to hold, hug and kiss Gemma. He isn't jealous of her at all, in fact he shares his beloved "kiki's" (blankets) with her.


About Gemma's name: Michael and I both really liked the name Gemma, in fact it was the only name that we could both agree on. It is pronounced with a soft G (like George), phonetically "Jem-mah". It, of course, means gem or precious stone.


Gemma's middle name is in honor of my maternal grandmother. When I was little my sisters and I referred to Grandma Hazel as the "mean grandma". Hazel had 9 children and almost 40 grandchildren. She was old and tired and often in pain and therefor somewhat grumpy and impatient with noisy grandchildren running through her house.


As I got older (10-12 years old) I spent more one on one time with my grandmother and really got to know her. She wasn't mean, she was actually a very fun and loving woman. I loved spending time with her. She taught me how to play chinese checkers. We would spend hours playing that game. When I surprised her with a really good move she would say, "Dammit Hazel, your as blind as a bat." That always made me laugh.


She died in 1992 but I still think of her and the time I spent in her home. I was very excited about giving my daughter her name. The really amazing part is that Grandma Hazel's birthday was January 22nd (I had forgotten this until my mom reminded me a couple of days before Gemma's birth) so Gemma and her namesake actually share a birthday. I couldn't have planned it better!

I am taking it easy, trying to enjoy this time with a newborn. It is so very fleeting. Posting will be light for a few months but I will be back! Promise!

26 comments:

Tanya said...

Too adorable! Gemma's a beautiful name.

The Rose Family said...

I love her name too! You have beautiful children and I love your blog... in fact, you have quite a few projects that I'm looking forward to trying out. Good luck with your little one-- she's a doll.

Tammy @ she wears flowers said...

This is the sweetest! Thanks for sharing it!!

Nicole said...

She is beautiful! I am sure you are tired but a routine will come together soon. The kids look so sweet holding her! I have a Liam too...how neat! Love your little girls name! And I love that it's a family name...it helps remember someone special and I am sure it means a lot to your family! Have a great weekend!

The Marlatt's said...

Congratulations!
My oldest daughter was born on my Grandmother's birthday and my parent's Temple wedding anniversary. My mother is Maxine and my Grandmother's middle name is Maxine and Bryanna's middle name is Maxine.
We named her prior to knowing/remembering the namesakes/dates. I like to think that my Grandmother was taking care of Bryanna before she came to this earth to be with us on that special day.

Sarah xoxo said...

Thanks for sharing! I know I do not know you but I am excited about your new blessing I just had my fourth chid he is ten weeks!

It's a Baltimore Life said...

Ahhh congratulations!! Your family is adorable! Enjoy this time together :)

Jess@craftiness is not optional said...

She is simply adorable! and I love the story about her namesake-what a sweet way to remember your grandmother!

Our Beautiful Life said...

She is just lovely. I adore her. I love the story about your grandmother! Congrats again!

mary kathryn @ mathews family happenings said...

what a beautiful name for a beautiful baby. congratulations on your new precious little one- her siblings look so proud of her in those pics. Enjoy this time and God Bless!

Kimberellie said...

gosh she is a beautiful baby. and how wonderful about her namesake! and so sweet your children are loving their new sister! Can't wait for my baby now that I see yours!!!

heart: K

Angie said...

She is absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing the pictures and updates! It is such a blessing that your older kiddos love her so much. Take care and enjoy this time! Don't worry about us...we will still be here! :)

WOM-MOMS said...

What a blessing! ENJOY!

chris said...

Love the story behind her name. Each of our children's names tells a story of love and family, too. Enjoy that dear one. Thanks for sharing pics.

J. Thomas said...

What a bundle of joy! :) Congratulations, and bless your mother's heart. I know my mom would do the same if I ever decide to have kids. Moms are great!

I love the names you've given your children, they're unique and old-fashioned at the same time. Lovely!

Cara said...

Thanks for sharing, Erin, she's a doll. She looks just like her big sister!

Can't wait for your next post!

Unknown said...

She is so beautiful! Congratulation! It's so hard to be a rally good mother, but it's a most important and lovely name for every woman!

Hugs,
Jane.

Andrea said...

How adorable are your kids?! She is precious. The newborn stage really is so fleeting. Good luck surviving it! Moms really are saints. I have to remember how much my mom coming and staying really does help, and make sure I help out my kids that way too. It'd be nice after a lifetime of playing "good cop, mom" to be considered a saint by my kids! ;) (Please tell me you watch Modern Family!)

futuregirl said...

Oh, what a lovely story! The only reason I would have really liked to have kids (and probably a great reason why I didn't) is so I could name them after my beloved Grandmother Dorothy. You and your family are so adorable and sweet. We'll still be here when you have time to come back. xoxo!

WOM-MOMS said...

If you have a minute, check out our blog post today - we used a few of your ideas!

www.wom-mom.com

Kelly said...

She is beautiful! Congrats again. I love the pic of your son holding her. He is a natural. My MIL is a saint too. She came and stayed two weeks with us when I had my second child. I don't know what I would have done without her help.

Bec said...

Enjoy your baby. We can wait.

PS. She's beautiful. And I love the name and story behind it.

liz said...

..she is darling!

and when she is 2 and flushing your watch down the toilet it will be okay if you want to say 'dammit hazel!'

Anonymous said...

I nominated you for the Stylish Blog Award: http://mamainthequietcorner.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/stylish-blogger-award-from-sally-at-fairy-dust-teaching/

Love all your crafty ideas! And congrats on that beautiful little baby :-)

Jennifer said...

Erin, sheis sooooo beautiful! She makes me want to cram another child into my Brooklyn apartment!

holly b said...

I know you don't know me since i'm an infrequent reader and don't think I've left a comment before, but we have a baby Hazel Luella born a year ago last January. She was also named after her grandma and great grandma. (Hazel Elvira and Reba Luella). My husband was hesitant about Hazel at first but of course we both love it now. She's also our #4 and a delight to us all. Congratulations on your precious Gem!

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