Baby shower for Addison Ryg

Last Saturday, off I went to Birmingham Al where our favorite daughter in law hails from. A ladies baby shower was planned by sisters and Mom for an afternoon get together. Tennelle, mom to be, Sarah aunt to be, and Barb, #1 Mom of Jeff and Sarah and over the moon thrilled Gramma to be, were all there joined by the friends and family of Tennelle. As showers go, which those of you that know me well, I am not a huge fan of, but ANYTHING FOR OUR KIDS, it was nice! My gosh baby girl cloths are SO cute.

If you weren't aware, not only are we getting Addison Ryg in April (I'm hoping the last week of March when I'm in town) but the end of April we are also growing our family with Wylie Nielsen. Wylie is a gift from God as our soon to be adopted baby boy to Sarah and Adam. Now once baby Wylie joins the family he is one of us. Like it or not Wylie, this extended crazy sometimes too many parents family, is yours forever. The good part is you have lots of Grandparents to go to for ANYTHING!

So back to the shower, I decided that since I was going to a shower and bringing fun little girl things to Tennelle and Addison, that blue little things were in store for Sarah and Baby Wylie. I've attached a picture of the two presents ready for the trip. When I was wrapping them I couldn't help but think how wonderful it's going to be to have a pink and a blue baby just about the same age forever. The kids (oh yes even at 29 and 27 they are kids to me) talk about how fun to have babies and kids birthdays and for them to be comparing notes and all the things that raising a family is about.

I feel so fortunate to see the love that Sarah and Jeff share and it's so wonderful to have them in the same town near the same area ready to bring little ones into the world and our lives.

The picture is of the girls.

Barb #1 Mom, Sarah #1 Daughter, Tennelle #1 Daughter in Law and Gramma GiGi

Starting out my blog as Gramma GiGi

I've enjoyed reading Sarah and Adam's blog so much that I decided to create my own telling of the adventures of a first time Gramma! Or GiGi and I have chosen to be know as.

I am the step mom to Sarah and Jeff, but not one of those mean nasty ones that you read about in the fairy tales. I have been a part of their lives since Sarah was 2 or 3 and Jeff was wise beyond his years about life and getting his own way. I've been married to their Dad for going on 19 years and have been truley HONORED to have them as my family, including their Mom. We have a great relationship all of us, we respect and wish the best for each other. I think that's what makes our extended family work.

I knew someday in my life I would be a Gramma but I just didn't realize how excited I could be. In April of 2009 I will move from Pattio (my name loveingly given by Sarah) to Gramma GiGi.

Gramma GiGi comes because as most in my age group we are NOT OLD enough to be Gramma! OMG are you kidding! So while spending time with a freind, who is known as CG to her grand daughter, I decided that GiGi fit quite nice. Since we live in Georgia it could be Georgia Gramma or when I'm feeling fisty, GORGEOUS Gramma! How excited I am for the first time a little one says GiGi.

Jeff has found it quite humorous to send me notes about articles on "grandpartents picking the name their grandkids call them" Frankly I really don't care, I just want those kids to know me and like to be with me as I did with my Gramma. She was just plain old Gramma. No cutesie name just Gramma. I guess my cousins called her Gramma Nora as they had other Grammas but I didn't, I just had her!

My Gramma lived to be 96 she was born in 1900 and had a good life for most of those 96 years. She was sometimes strong willed and as Chris says she RULED the family. My early memories of my Gramma were on Friday nights. I would get to sleep over and go grocery shopping with her and my Aunt Mary, of course if I was good, I'd get a treat (one of those cheezy grocery store toys in a small little section) Then we'd go back to her house and watch TV and have either a Black Cow (root beer with ice cream) or a dish of NY Cherry Ice Cream. Wow simple pleasures are the best. Until she was I think 86 she used to be able to sit on her bottom on the kitchen floor and scoot cheek to cheek with her arms crossed moving across the floor laughing as she went, showing she was in good shape.

Since this is my first attempt I will end now and add some pictures and more later.
Lov to all who care to read this.

Gramma Gi Gi