I love being with you!

Dear Nolan,

During my Easter break from school, I got to spend some time with you. I arrived at your house around 1:30 last Friday afternoon. Your Dad was at work, and your Mom wanted to run some errands. I enjoyed keeping you so much. We danced together as I sang a little "made up" song that I used to sing to your Mom and Aunt Emily when they were babies. We looked at some of your new books, and you sat in your bouncer and "talked" to me! You especially enjoyed checking out the bathroom mirror and the living room ceiling fan.

When your eyes started to get heavy, we moved to the rocking chair in your nursery. You looked up at me with those beautiful blue eyes, and I thanked God for you. I can't explain why the tears rolled down my cheeks. They must have been tears of joy. I know that being your GiGi is the most joyful experience I have ever known. It wasn't long before you fell asleep, and I put you in your crib for a nap. I stood over the crib and watched you sleep for a few minutes.

It's hard to believe that you have already outgrown your bassinet. Your Mom and Dad said it was hard to move you into your own room and put you in that big crib. They were used to having you sleep in their room. But your crib is so cool, and there is so much to see in your little nursery. It's like being on a safari! You have this neat little mobile that plays music while a zebra, a crocodile, a monkey, and an elephant twirl around under a fabric canopy above your head. You have five wall hangings that surround your crib with pictures of a turtle, a tropical bird, a monkey, a zebra, and an elephant. Your bumper pad, dust ruffle, and diaper stacker all have jungle animals on them, and there is a gorilla hanging down from one corner of your bed. Your room is just a fun place to be!! Your Mom took these pictures of your nursery (shown above) and sent them to me before you were born.

I will write more later. I'm going to bed now.

Goodnight sweet boy. I love you.

GiGi

Almost Eleven Weeks Old!

Dear Nolan,

Let me tell you about your first Easter. You and your Mom traveled to Greensboro with us to your (Great) Uncle Steve and (Great) Aunt Anne's house. Your Dad had to work, so he didn't get to come and we missed him so much!

Anne is Papa Jack's sister. She and Steve have two girls--Brooke and Elizabeth. They live in a big, beautiful home with lots of room to spread out and are always so nice to invite us for special holiday gatherings. Great-Grandma Wilson, Great-Papa Wilson, Aunt Emily, and Uncle Bradley were also there.

We missed your (Great) Uncle Mark and (Great) Aunt Diane. Mark is Papa Jack's brother. They weren't able to be with us this year, but they want to meet you! They live in Winston-Salem and have two children--Whitney and William. Whitney is a senior at UNC-Wilmington, and William is a rising senior in high school.

Nolan, we had so much food! Great-Grandma Wilson always brings: her famous sweet tea, honey-baked ham, green beans, corn, "red apples," rolls, brown sugar cake, and coconut cake. This Easter she also made a sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top! Anne made deviled eggs and "Nan's potatoes." Nan was Aunt Diane and Uncle Steve's Mom. She was a sweet, sweet lady! I made a squash casserole, broccoli and rice casserole, fruit salad, and cold broccoli salad. We all gathered in the kitchen and bowed our heads as Great-Papa Wilson asked the blessing, and then we shared a wonderful Easter lunch together.

This Easter was extra special because this year we had YOU! We all took turns holding you, and Great-Grandma Wilson even rocked you to sleep. Papa Jack and I gave you 4 little books and an activity gym. You lay on the mat under your new "gym" and just gazed up at the shapes, colors, and sounds. It was so much fun to watch you.

It is wonderful to have a baby in the family again--it is wonderful to have YOU.

I love you sweet boy.

GiGi

Your Great-Great Grandmothers

Dear Nolan,

I love this picture! It was made on our wedding day with our sweet Grandmothers. Pictured from left to right: MaMa Clark, Mama Farrell, Me (GiGi), Papa Jack, Grandma Wilson, and Grandma Medlin.

Our Grandmothers were so special. We will never forget them or the lessons they taught us. I will write more about each of them later.

Speaking of Grandmothers, your Great-Grandma Clark has been sick this week. She has been in the hospital with double pneumonia. I went home to take care of her. She is doing much better now.

I will write again soon. I love you Nolan.

GiGi

You Favor Your Dad!

Dear Nolan,

I was going through some digital photographs tonight and found a baby picture of your Dad. He is on the top and you are on the bottom. This was one of the pictures Mimi sent to me to use in a slide show presentation at your parent's wedding rehearsal dinner. You really do favor your Dad so much! I wonder if you will have dimples like your Dad!

I love you sweet boy.

GiGi