Merry Christmas Angel

It's been a few months since I've written, they say time flies when you're having fun and we've been having lots and lots of fun! In October we went to "The Gathering" at Uncle Russell's house. Every year in October Great Helen's brothers and sisters and their children and grandchildren get together for a great fall day of good food and fun.

We were extra excited this year because you were along. We're reminded when we are together that some have went to be with Jesus and it's kind of strange without them but at the same time it is such a blessing to see all of the little faces that are part of our family now because of them. As I grow older I find that God's plan for us makes perfect sense. I treasure the days that I spent with my Grandma Burkhart and remember so clearly the touch of her skin and the smell of her powder. Now I look at you and my cousins grandchildren knowing that because of her love and hard work our family remains strong. The memories and traditions that my brother and I and our cousin's shared will be recreated over and over again. It was a cool fall day with no rain this year as we gathered around tables getting ready to eat. Uncle Robert asked Mandy to say the prayer this year, it's all part of teaching and growing and making way for new life while preserving the things that we cherish. I believe that Grandpa Gordon and Grandma along with Uncle Howard and Aunt Rosie, Uncle Wilbert and cousin Barb's husband Steve were all sitting at a table in heaven watching us. And I bet Aunt Rosie said you look like me when I was a baby.





Halloween is always fun, I still dress up for work and decided to put my costume on again when you came over to pass out candy.

Your Mommy and Daddy took you to the Zoo and we went to Aunt Annies work for the car show. You went to a few of the neighbor's houses trick or treating, they thought you were the cutest little monster ever and so did I. When I was a kid my cousins and I would go trick or treating all week long in the country. Now you need to be more careful honey, not just with Halloween but all of the time. Plus there is a flu that people are getting called the H1N1 virus and it is very contagious so it's a good year to stay in and watch Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin on tv. Next year when you are a little bigger we will go more places.


Next came Thanksgiving and even though you can't have the turkey and mashed potatoes yet you did have some baby food and was at the table with the rest of us. You were at the top of the list of things to be thankful for this year. There is always something to be thankful for Liddy, not just on Thanksgiving Day but all through the year. Make sure that you count your blessings and say thanks for them everyday. Some days it's harder than others but I promise you can always find things to be thankful for. Start with God's greatest gift to us, the baby Jesus. Which brings us to Christmas!

It's the most wonderful time of the year, the time that we celebrate the birth of Jesus. I love the songs, the smells, the snow, the giving, the pretty decorations and I love you! You turned 6 months old on December 8th, you can almost sit up all by yourself. You have no problem rolling over, you love to giggle when we get your belly and scare you and you are the best at blowing rasberries. Still no teeth but it won't be long. Maybe Santa Claus will bring you a tooth! You have sit on Santa's lap two times already and he knows that you have been a very good girl. The first time that you saw him you grabbed his big white beard with your tiny little hand and pulled it.

He thought it was funny and laughed outloud and so did your Mommy and Daddy. You've been watching your Praise Baby dvd's alot so maybe he will bring you some more of those and I told him that you wanted a jack-in-the-box too.

We will come to your house on Christmas Eve to celebrate the Polish tradition that your Mommy has taught us. She will have the food prepared and we will sit around the table leaving an empty chair in case someone stops by that needs a meal. The wafers from Poland will be in the middle of the table and after we eat we will break them and share them with each other as we tell one another what a wonderful year it has been and wish each other blessings for next year, 2010. And you will be there with us and I will kiss you at least a hundred times because you are my precious little Grandaughter and you are such an important part of my life now and will be for the years to come. I will write to you again. Maybe not next month or the month after because we will be busy making memories. There is so much to do and so many things I want to teach you and share with you. I pray that God will continue to watch over you and help you to grow stronger each day. I will always be with you Liddy no matter what. Stay close to your Mommy and Daddy and obey them, be loving and thoughtful to people, live your life for God and always remember........ Grandma Loves You!

Handy Dandy Hands

You sure are a busy girl Liddy. This past Sunday (September 20th) was your baptism. You looked beautiful in your Christening gown that your Uncle Blue bought for you and sent from Poland. He is your God Father and Andrea is your God Mother. During the baptism you decided to sing the crying song almost the entire time. Your Mommy had warned the Pastor that you might decide to do that so he wasn't suprised. He went right ahead and held you and walked around with you a little bit after he sprinkled you and for a minute I think you forgot what you were singing and was quiet. We took some pictures and then after church went to your house to eat lunch.



Everyone was pretty tired because for the two days before that we were helping your Daddy move the big pole barn from the neighbors yard to your back yard. That was such a big big day. Your Grandpa Tonner and his friend Don came down with a big semi truck early in the morning. Grandpa Arnie, Grandpa Jarek and our neighbor John all came to help. The weather was perfect and I still can't believe that they moved that building in one piece!



So here it is the last full week of September, today is the first day of fall. Your Grandma Marzena and Grandpa Jarek have been here visiting but their vacation here will be over and they will be leaving to go back to Poland this Sunday. I know that you will miss them, we all will but time goes so fast that before you know it they will be here again or you will take a big big trip to visit them. .........

I had started this letter last week so now as I'm finishing it they are already home safe and sound. I stopped by your house yesterday on the way home to see you and got to help give you a bath! You sure are soft and slippery when you're wet. Normally you don't get your bath until later in the evening but you had a tummy ache and your Mommy said that sometimes the warm water makes you feel better. I'm pretty sure that she was right because after your bath you were much happier and was trying to tell me a story.


It's almost October and that means time for Halloween. We'll talk about decorations and trick or treat later but I just want you to know that I will go get that pink and purple monster costume that I was telling you about. The weather is getting very chilly already so I think that one will be good because it is warm and fluffy. Oh and your next doctor's appointment is just a few weeks away. This one will be better than the last one was because you won't have to have all of those shots plus I think you will find out that you can start eating cereal. You've been chewing on your toys and really wishing that they were cookies lately, probably because your teeth are starting to bother you. Growing can be a really big job for such a little girl and even though you are so smart you still have lots of things to learn. You've started looking at your hands like you don't know what they are or where they come from but they sure are fun little things. Those precious little hands will hold bottles and baby dolls, play patty cake, color and bake and do lots and lots of things. My Mommy's hands have done all of those things too. They have held me me when I was soft and slippery in the bath tub, picked me up when I fell off of the bicycle and skinned my knee, cooked meals and carried a Bible to church every Sunday. Here's a picture of you holding my Mommy's hand. You see, hands get even more precious as time goes by, it's probably from God holding them every day.


Grandma loves you!

Some things are worth crying for....

It almost seems wrong to write to you about such a tragic day that happened eight years ago today. You are so little and innocent and I want to protect you from all of the evil in the world but I know that's not possible. It is important though that you know how blessed you are to live in America. It is important for you to know that people give their lives every day for our freedom. It is important for you to know that this is the anniversary of the attack on the Twin Towers in New York City and that on that sad day our country was in shock, people died, family's lost loved ones and the security and freedom that we have enjoyed and taken for granted was threatened. We all remember where we were on the morning of 9/11 and we will never forget that day. We will never forget.

I was working in the building that your Daddy works in now. People started hearing things on the radio, we hurried to find a tv to turn on, we began calling our families. It was unimaginable, hard to process, I thought for a moment that it could be the end of time on earth. You'll read about it in history books I'm sure. You'll see pictures and read about how the events unfolded.

I don't know if your generation will feel the pain in your heart that I felt that day and still feel today as I think about it. But please know baby that the United States of America is a land blessed by God and worth defending and honoring. Learn the pledge of allegiance and put your hand on your heart when you say it. And sing My Country 'tis of thee loud and clear. In New York harbor stands a lady with her hand stretched to the sky holding a torch, she is our Statue of Liberty and she is magnificent. Our flag flying in the breeze is one of the most beautiful things in the world. It truly does stand for freedom that we will not allow to be taken away. The Star Spangled banner is our National Anthem and I'm not embarrased to admit that I cry when I hear it and sing it. Some things are worth crying for.



















Now speaking of crying we might as well talk about our little problem. I will take the blame because I was sick for 8 days and couldn't hold you or be very close to you. Of course I didn't want you to get my germs. Yesterday when I felt much better I was really excited to see you so your Daddy brought you over to play. Well, you know I was a little suprised to find out that instead of being happy to see me your cute little face puckered up and you just couldn't help but cry. I'm sorry but you're adorable when you cry. Even so I didn't want you sad so I tried absolutely everything to cheer you up but nothing was working. You were as mad as an old wet hen. Your Daddy took you home and we decided to try again today. Well, it was better but we still have a little ways to go and we will work on it again tomorrow. I'm pretty sure that you don't mean anything by it, maybe you are just frustrated that I didn't play with you for over a week. I wasn't very happy about that either. If that's it and your just mad and making your point I completely understand. It's like I said earlier honey, some things are worth crying for.

Grandma Loves You with all of her Heart...

What do ya get?

You really spoiled me this past weekend Liddy, we had hours of fun together. Great Helen and your Grandpa Tonner came to visit, it makes me happy that my Mommy can watch you grow. So not only did we get to have playtime on Saturday but you also came over to my house on Sunday for Grandpa Golden's birthday dinner. His birthday is actually today but Sunday's are good days to get together.

Did you notice the people working in your back yard? Your Daddy is putting a big pole barn behind the house. You might as well know that there will never be a dull moment with your Daddy around. He will always be buying or selling or building or fixing something. He's so much like your Grandpa Tonner. They love to work on scooters and snowmobiles or anything else they can get their hands on. You just never know what to expect. Your Mommy and Daddy saw a big racoon in the trash cans outside of your house so this weekend your Daddy sat a live trap that Grandpa Tonner brought him to catch it and take it away. Your Daddy called me at 1:00 in the morning Saturday to tell me the trap went off but guess what he caught? Not a racoon but a skunk! Well of course I didn't know what to tell him but your Grandpa Tonner knew exactly what to do. They put a cover over the cage and took the skunk for a ride in the country and left him loose. Now that's just the kind of thing I'm talking about Liddy, you never know what kind of mess them two will get you into. Well that story got us all talking about other things they had done and we had a good laugh about it. Remind your Daddy when you get older to tell you about the time that he helped Grandpa Tonner dehorn the calves. I know you are way too little now but trust me one day it will be funny to you. Great Helen had brought some pictures along of when your Daddy was a kid standing in a hole in the yard. Best they can remember is that he wanted to dig a hole so Grandpa Tonner dug a hole and filled it with water and left him play in the mud. I'll post a picture, I really don't think it needs anymore explanation. Twenty years later, things haven't changed much, if it's not holes and mud it's cages and skunks. So what do ya get when you cross a Tonner boy and his Father? Well it's a lifetime of fun that will teach you to love, laugh and live life to it's fullest. Wear your helmet on those scooters honey.

Love and Great Big Hugs, Grandma

A Month of Sundays

Hi Liddy, I'm sorry I haven't written for almost a whole month! There has been so much going on that I hardly know where to begin. The month of July started out with us all going camping, it was your first trip to Indian Lakes. Your Grandma Marzena and Great Helen had fun fishing and I think you really liked looking up at the trees, well at least until it started raining and then it poured for two days. I promise that we will go camping alot and you will have your very own fishing pole.

The next Sunday was your very first time in Sunday School. I took you with me to Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. We sat in the back row and we visited the nursery and took your picture with the teacher. I've been going to that church off and on for several years but I've never talked to as many people there as I did that Sunday. They all wanted to see you and tell me how pretty and cute you are. The new Catholic Church by our house opened up that same day, I know that your Mommy wants to take you there soon. It doesn't matter which church you go to honey, they are all God's houses and it makes him happy when we go and sing songs to him.

And speaking of happy you sure are starting to smile alot! Certain things like your Mommy and Daddy talking to you make you smile everytime but once in awhile I get a special smile all to myself and it is sweeter than all of the chocolate pudding and marshmallows in the whole world!

I love to take you for walks in your stroller, sing 3 blind mice, kiss your little cheeks and rock you to sleep. Your little hands and legs are getting stronger and you love to stretch and grunt. Grandma's birthday was this past Sunday, August 2nd. Now I'm 49 years old, next year I'll be half way to one hundred! Great Helen, Leon, Uncle Russell, Aunt Becky, Mandy, Katie, Gabby, Kevin and Matthew all came to town and stayed for a few days. We had lots of fun at your house swimming and playing in the yard and we had lots of good food. Then on Monday we all went to the zoo for the whole day. It was fun but you were getting kind of sick of it around 2:00. I didn't blame you it was nice out but kind of windy and you''re really not too happy about wearing hats anymore.

That catches us up to August little Angel, I'll try not to wait so long to write again. I'm so excited about all of the things that we will be able to do together. For now we'll keep working on smiles, and soon we'll graduate to giggles.

Oh and PS..Ann moved into her own apartment a few weeks ago and so far she really loves it. I know you'll miss her at the house but we can go visit her anytime. She lives right beside Walmart so there is no reason that we can't stop and buy toys every time that we go there :)

Grandma Loves You!

EIEIO

You are so much fun! It was a rainy Saturday and we were all pretty lazy but I finally made it over to see you this evening. When I got there you were sleeping so I held you for awhile and talked to your Mommy. Once you woke up and we did a diaper change you and I and Kiley went outside. You love it outside. We talked about the sky and trees and birds. Your Grandma Marzena taught us the polish word for birds, ptak ( I don't know if that's the way you spell it). Then you were getting hungry so we went inside and Mommy gave us a bottle of magic milk. You get so excited and get to drinking so fast that sometimes you choke and get a little mad at me when you have to stop and burp. I just kiss you and get it back to you as soon as I can, you're just like the little birdies outside that have their mouths open wanting food to grow.

So then we changed your diaper and outfit and believe it or not you have outgrown one of your sleepers! Mommy said she thinks you weigh about 9 lbs. 4 oz. already. Then it was playtime and you really were having a great time on your playmat. We did nursery rhyme bear, mouse rattle, orange monkey and played with the new baby doll that Grandpa Golden bought for you. While Mommy was going through your closet seeing if you had outgrown any other clothes we sang Old McDonald had a Farm. It was hard for me to leave you tonight, it was our best playtime yet. I'll come and see you tomorrow and we can pick up where we left off. We have lots of animals left to go through so sleep good tonight little angel so you'll be ready to play again.

And on his farm we had great fun, e i e i o.

Grandma Loves You!

Just call my name....

Hope you had a great time at Grandma's house tonight Lidia. I picked you up on my way home from work and we were able to sing and play for hours while your Mommy, Daddy and Grandma Marzena went fishing.

You probably heard Grandpa and I talking about the news. There was a memorial today for a very famous person named Michael Jackson and it was on the news tonight. He died last week, he was 50 years old. I remember him singing with his brothers in a group called the Jackson 5 when I was a kid. I'm sure you will still be singing some of his songs when you are a teenager, he was a very talented person.

Our world isn't as safe or simple as it was when Grandma was growing up. Things change everyday and all we can do is to keep loving each other and try our best to do the right thing so your generation will have the same freedom and opportunities that we've had for years. You have a whole lifetime ahead of you Liddy and I pray that it will be a lifetime of joy and laughter.


You have a family that is strong and that will always be there for you to love and support you.


Remember though that if for any reason you're having trouble smiling that beautiful smile and need a hug or someone to talk to......



"Just call my name and I'll be there"

Flowers, Plants and Weeds

My Grandma Burkhart used to say "you're growing like a weed!" I had never really stopped to think about that until I've seen you change and grow in the past 3 weeks. You slept almost the entire time the first two weeks you were here and then suddenly on June 22nd when you were 2 weeks old you were ready to go! And then.... your vine fell off, well really it was your umbilical cord but it reminded me of a watermelon vine so that's what I called it. Mommy calls you her little Pumpkin so it could be a pumpkin vine :). So you were able to get your very first bath and you really loved it.

Even though I've seen

you almost every day it just doesn't seem like enough.

Sometimes when I come over you're asleep and so I just look at you or kiss your cheek. Last night you and I and Aunt Annie got to play for quite awhile and that helped. We tried to remember our favorite nursery rhymes and sing them to you. Of course you know I picked Hey Diddle and your Mommy picked Twinkle Twinkle. Your Daddy thought of Humpty Dumpty but Aunt Annie was having trouble remembering them (we laughed at her) so your Mommy got your nursery rhyme bear and we sang along with it. I think you had fun and you also had some tummy time play and then it was time for your bath and magic milk.

I hope that you slept well little angel and I just know that when I see you at the end of the day you will have grown again. And maybe I won't say it tonight but I'm sure that when you grow up you'll remember your Grandma Golden saying "Lidia, you're growing like a little weed!" , even though you're more beautiful than any flower I've ever seen.

Grandma Loves You!

Fathers Day, Grandpa's and Great Grandpa's

This past Sunday was your Daddy's very 1st Fathers Day! You and your Mommy made him a cute shirt with your handprints on it and he really really loved it. We had dinner together with your Grandpa Leon and Grandpa Golden. Great Helen and Grandma Marzena were there too which made it especially nice. Your Grandpa Jarek is still in Poland but will come to visit you in September.

And well......you have a Great Grandpa Herbert too, he is my Daddy. I'm not sure if you'll get to meet him honey. I haven't seen him in about 8 or 9 years but I do talk to him on the phone now. It's hard to explain why and maybe it's not so important right now but I would like you to know a little about him and I want you to know that I called him on Father's Day and told him about you and he was very happy that you are here and ok. I told him that I would make sure and send a picture of you so he could see how adorable you are. Great Grandpa Herbert had lots of brothers and sisters, there were 15 of them all together! Your Great Great Grandpa's name was William Cook, I never knew him because both him and your Great Great Grandma Cook died before I was born. I'm not sure what they died from, sorry about that. Anyway, William remarried to a lady named Mary and she saw me when I was a baby but I don't remember her, I just remember a picture of her at the green house. I always thought she must have been a saint to marry a man with 15 kids! Ok, well that's probably enough of that other than I can tell you that your Grandpa Herbert is not very tall, he worked hauling coal a long time ago and that he is a good carpenter. He likes old cars, car races and horse races. His birthdate is October 1st, 1928 so he is 81 years old now. Him and his sister Isabel are the last two of the 15 that are still alive.

So you see even Grandma's have Daddy's and remember how safe and strong their hands are. Your Daddy has been my strength for a long time Lidia and he has always been there for me just as he will be for you. You are Daddy's little girl already and you have lots of time for fun and good Daddy hugs. And remember that those hugs will feel as good to you when you're all grown up as they do right now. I love you.

Liddy goes to Chicago

You're barely 9 days old and went to Chicago today! You're Grandma Marzena arrived from Poland this afternoon and you and Mommy and Daddy were there to pick her up. Daddy stayed in the car with you while Mommy went in and got Grandma. So you're on your way home now, you should be there in about half an hour. I just took Kiley home, she stayed here and played with Brinkley and Kirby today. While I was there I picked up your little blanket and kissed it because it smelled like you :)

I love every minute of the time that I get to see you. I could hold you and watch you sleep for hours. You're starting to gain weight now, you lost some weight after you were born which is normal but now you're going to start growing bigger. This is the first day that I didn't see you.....I hope you don't grow too much today! I just talked to your Daddy and told him to ask Grandma Marzena to give you an extra kiss tonight from me. You can tell me all about your trip to Chicago tomorrow, I'll stop by after work.

Sleep good little angel, of course you will be in my bedtime prayers. Grandma loves you more every day!

You're here!

How could anyone doubt God? You, my little angel, are perfect in every way.

There is so much to write that I don't know where to begin. Your Mommy and Daddy, Aunt Annie and I left for the hospital this past Monday morning at 7:00 a.m. You and Mommy had one of the new rooms, suite 2, that made your Mommy happy. The morning went by pretty quickly and by mid afternoon we knew it wouldn't be long until we would see you! Your Doctor Jaine was busy so we had to wait on her to get there. Mommy's are special. Your Mommy wanted you to be healthy and was worried about you. She did everything just right and your Daddy was by her side the whole time. Grandma and Aunt Annie was in the room too, Great Helen and Grandpa Tonner and Grandpa Golden were waiting in the waiting room. Dr. Jaine got there around 8:30 p.m. and at 9:30 you were born! We were all so excited to see you, and we couldn't believe how much you looked like your Grandpa Jarek. Your Mommy had been talking to them most of the day via Skype and they were able to see you about an hour after you were born. They sent some baby photos of your Mommy and you looked just like she did when she was born so we know that you are going to be beautiful when you grow up.

Daddy stayed with you and Mommy at the hospital that night while Grandma and Aunt Annie went home to get some sleep. Great Helen and Grandpa Tonner stayed overnight too. We went back to see you the next morning, took some pictures and then Grandma finally got to hold you. I really think that you love me already and I for sure love you. You weighed 7 lbs and 5 oz. when you were born and was 20 1/4 inches long. It's funny to think that the doctors were worried about you and thought that you would weigh about 5 lbs. 11 oz. It's ok if you just tricked them so you could come out early, I couldn't hardly wait another day either.

So now you are home and today I was able to hold you for a long time and whisper in your tiny little ears. You are so strong already and lifted your head up and looked all around the room. Your Mommy is feeding you her magic milk, that's probably helping alot. She was able to put some in a bottle so I got to feed you. Daddy came home from work and said that he sure did miss you today. I'm planning on seeing you again tomorrow, I'll tell you some more secrets and we can talk a little more about doggies and ponies and things.

I'm so glad that you are here and that you and Mommy are feeling well. I said a prayer about 10 minutes before you were here while I was holding your Mommy's hand. God answered it loud and clear.

Grandma loves you!

Yipeeeeee!

It's June and you are full term! Your Mama has been on bed rest for the last few weeks to help you grow a little bit more. We have been really busy painting and doing things around the house. We had another baby shower for you and Mommy last Sunday and you got lots of really nice things that you will need. Your Aunt Annie gave you a rocking chair so that when you are sleepy your mama can rock you nighty night. She's super excited because she gets to be in the delivery room at the hospital when you arrive. So when you come out you will see your Daddy, Mommy, Aunt Annie, Grandma and maybe Grandma Marzena and of course the Doctor. Grandpa Golden, Grandpa Tonner and Great Helen will be waiting close by. You'll be pretty busy at first, you'll get to lay on Mommy's belly and let her kiss you and hold you and your Daddy will be looking at you and talking to you too. Then you'll get cleaned up, weighed and measured. I know that you'll want me to hold you but we'll need to be patient and wait our turn, we'll have plenty of time to talk and play later.

You'll be delivered at the Community South Hospital, its about 12 miles from your house. Mommy has her bag packed and ready. I'm keeping my phone beside me every minute of the day. Your Grandma Marzena will be here 2 weeks from tomorrow. We had new carpet put downstairs so it will be nice and clean for you to lay on or sit and play on. We've painted the living room and Andrea's room, got some new sofa's and put a gate at the top of the stairway. I have clothes, blankets, toys, lotions and diapers for when you come over.

For now I have to keep busy little baby girl. I'll be seeing you soon, it's hard to believe that the time is finally here!

Peek a Boo I See You!

I went with you and Mommy to the Doctor's office on tuesday and got to see you on the ultrasound! You were kind of hiding your face but I got a glimpse of how beautiful you are and the doctor said that you weigh 5 lbs and 10 oz.! Aunt Annie was there too and we all laughed because you were moving your mouth like you were talking or maybe you were dreaming that you were having something yummy to eat. You had your hands on your feet playing with your toes and we thought that was so cute. After the ultrasound we found out that your Mommy has to go on moderate bed rest because you are suppose to try and wait until you've grown in Mommy's belly for at least 36 weeks, if you can wait until 38 weeks that would be best. I know that you're excited about being here but it's not quite time yet. So your Mama told her boss that she wouldn't be coming back for awhile because it's time for her to rest and then to take care of little Lidia. Everything is ready for you in case you do get here early sweetie. Your room is really cute and you have diapers and clothes and blankets and best of all some toys to play with.

Time is going by quickly Liddy, soon we will be able to hold you and kiss you and you will be able to see all of the wonderful things that are waiting for you. We want things to be just perfect for you angel. Now you just keep growing and I'll count the days 'till it's time for you. I love you so much Little Baby Girl. Kisses and Hugs, Grandma

I love you Liddy

I'm just thinking about you and your tiny little feet and hands. Yesterday was the baby shower for you and your Mommy and Daddy up North. Your Aunt Annie and Great Aunt Mandy worked hard to make it a special time and it sure was fun! We played some games and had snacks and cake and then it was time to open presents. I think you will love everything that you got. Your Mommy is so happy that she is almost done with school for the semester, she is really looking forward to having some time at home to rest and get ready for you. Your room is really cute and now you have a pretty white crib to sleep in. Of course when I'm there or you're here I will hold you the whole entire time. I've already asked your Mommy and Daddy and they said that it will be just fine if I want to. Yipeeeee!

So I'll put some pictures of the shower on later but for now I really just wanted to tell you that I love you more and more every single day. Aunt Annie and I are going with your Mama next week for the ultrasound so I will get to see you and I'm probably going to be so excited that I will cry a little. If I do don't think that I am sad, it's ok to cry when you are just so happy and things are so beautiful that you can't believe it.

Keep growing little angel, Grandma loves you!

Hey Diddle Diddle

Hey Diddle Diddle the cat and the fiddle the cow jumped over the moon!

Miss Lidia it seems like it's taking forever for you to get here, I can hardly wait to play with you. Now you need to know that Hey Diddle Diddle is one of my favorite rhymes and I'll tell you why. You're Great Grandma Helen, which is my Mommy, calls me Did and I call her Diddy or it can be Did and Diddle or Diddy and Did, you get the idea. It all started years ago, everytime I would call her on the telephone she would say "hey diddle diddle, how are ya?" So pretty soon it was just "hey Diddle" and then somehow it got to be Did and Diddy and that's just what we call each other. Now it can be Did, Diddy and Liddy! Your cousins Gabby, Kevin and Matthew call her Great Helen so if you want to you can call her that too or you can make up your own name for her. I can tell you that she is very excited about having another Great Grandbaby and we talk about you every single day. She loves all of her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren but your Daddy will tell everyone that he is her favorite. Great Helen is quite alot of fun and most of the time we have trouble keeping up with her. Her Birthday is coming up soon, it is May 5th and she was born in 1938 so this year she will be 71 years old. There are so many things that I want you to know about her and her family. You and I will spend hours looking at pictures and I'll tell you all of the stories that my Grandma and Grandpa Burkhart told me and I'll try my best to teach you the things that Great Helen has taught me. I hope that I've been a good Mother to your Daddy and Andrea like she has been to me. People always wonder what their purpose in life is and want to leave something behind. I was thinking of that the other day when it occured to me how many people love my Mom and loved my Grandmother. If I'm thought of as dearly as they have been some day than that's good enough for me. And you my little Grandaughter will be a big part of passing along the wonderful stories, songs and recipes that Grandma's are made of!

And the Dish ran away with the Spoon........

Two Months!

Hi Liddy Mae,

Grandma hasn't written for a little while but I thought you wouldn't mind since I've seen you and your Mommy alot. I really love that you and Mommy and Daddy and Kiley are staying at our house this week while the workers are at your house. Soon your room will be all done and the swimming pool will be ready! Last weekend the weather was beautiful, that's why we all decided to have a big garage sale and get rid of old stuff so we could clean and paint and be ready for you. Did you hear me counting to you? When we were counting the money I thought it would be a good idea to start teaching you 1......2.......3.

Have you noticed that the doggies are being a little better about barking when you come in? We're trying really hard to make them understand that you could be sleeping and don't want to be woke up. I have your dresser ready in the spare bedroom which we now call "Lidia's Room" and it has all of your lotions and powders in it and also a nice new bath towel and robe with bunny rabbit slippers for your little feet. You and Mommy have class tonight so I'm not sure if I'll get to see you but when we get time maybe we can sing a song to you.

You're growing and growing little girl, the doctor said you are at least 3 pounds and will gain some ounces almost every day! Hey, you're like the little seeds and flowers that are all starting to sprout and bloom. April Showers bring May flowers. We'll say Baby Showers bring Liddy Mae flowers.

Grow strong little flower, Grandma loves you!

Happy Easter Sweet Baby

We had a very nice Easter day, just the way it should be. Next Easter you will have a beautiful little Easter dress and we'll go to Sunday School together. Grandma went to church this morning and saw lots of little boys and girls excited about Easter. Easter is a very special Sunday because we celebrate that Jesus rose from the grave and that he will live and reign forever. I think that is one of the reasons that Spring is so beautiful. Everything is new again. Lots of baby animals are born and the flowers bloom and the grass turns green and finally we're able to go outside and run and play!

The Easter bunny always comes to Grandma's house and I know for a fact that he will come to your house too! He still brings baskets here for your Mommy and Daddy and today he left a special one for you with a teddy bear that sings nursery rhymes. I had fun talking to you today, your Aunt Annie called me silly again when I talked to your Mommy's belly but I really think that you heard me shaking that bunny rattle because Mommy said that you gave a good kick when we finished.

Just one more holiday without you here dear grandbaby. Grandpa and I usually go camping on Memorial day and if your Mommy feels up to it you and her and Daddy will be there too! I hope that you feel loved today and everyday because you are so important to us all. And I hope that you tasted a little of that cake your Mama made today because it was pretty delicious :)

Happy Easter Lidia, Grandma loves you!

Giggles and Hiccups

How's Grandma's little Liddy today? Your Mommy is really busy these days with work and school and getting ready for you. She has had lots of homework to do. When you get bigger and go to school you won't be able to sleep in class but you can for now. Last night when you and Mommy came over to my house you probably felt her laughing. She was talking about how silly your Daddy is and that when he dreams he laughs in his sleep. She had Grandma laughing so hard that I got the hiccups! Sometimes we all get to giggling so much that we cry. Most of the time it is because of your Daddy, he is one of the funniest people that I know. He's been busy too, going to work every day and working around the house. Your Grandpa Tonner is going to come down and help him for the next few weekends. Grandpa Tonner is really good at building and fixing things. You will really like going to his house because he has animals to play with. The little baby piggies are my favorite. Oh Liddy, I get so excited thinking about the fun that we'll have that I can hardly stand it. Grandpa Tonner lives in Ossian near Berne Indiana where one of the Amish communities are. Amish people are just like us but they don't use as many modern things so they keep their lives simple. They work very hard, have strong religious beliefs and most of them have lots of children. Your Grandpa has some amish friends and so does your Uncle Russell. Once when we were at uncle Russell's house before you were in your Mommy's belly, your Mommy and Daddy put on an amish hat and bonnet and held your cousin Matthew and a doll baby. I put their picture on here, now you can see what I mean when I say they are silly. Spending time together with family is a very important part of life little darling and we have a wonderful family to do it with. Grandma loves you!

Mommy's Doctor Visit and Babcia Elwartowska

Hi Baby Liddy, did you hear me talking to you last night? Your Mommy and Daddy and Kiley came over to our house and I was so happy to see you all. Of course I hugged your Mommy's belly right away and told you I love you. Kirby was being bad and barking alot, I think he was just excited to see Kiley. We're trying to teach them to be quiet when we say Baby so they don't scare you or wake you up.

The doctor's visit yesterday went great, your Mommy had to drink some stuff for a gluclose tolerance test. It's just part of what the doctor's do to make sure that you'll both stay healthy. Your Mommy called and left me a message. She said, "the doctor said your little grandaughter is doing just fine". I love your Mommy more than she can imagine.

Your other Grandma has her plane ticket bought to come and see you! She's coming from Poland on June 17th. We don't want your Mommy trying to drive to Chicago to pick her up from the airport 3 days before you are due so either Grandpa or Aunt Annie will go with me to pick her up. We're all very excited to see her. She talks to your Mommy almost everyday on Skype so she sees that you are growing and she's been making you some fancy little dresses and hats. Your Grandpa will come from Poland to see you in September. He's a very kind, intelligent man that you are going to love very much. The days are going by quickly little darling, I love you!

Bed Time Prayers

Hi Little Angel,

I'm getting ready to go nite nite and was thinking of you. You probably already know this but God is everywhere and he watches over us. He blesses us every day and it is important that we tell him thank you. So even if it's been a very busy day playing and you are very sleepy you should still say your prayers at night time. I'll say them for both of us until you are big enough.
Dear Jesus, thank you for our family and all that you have given us. Help baby Lidia grow strong and healthy. Bless baby's Mommy and Daddy, Grandma's and Grandpa's, Aunt Annie and Kiley and Brinkley and Kirby. Amen.

Mommy and Daddy

Mommy's Birthday

(Mommy is in the bottom row with yellow pants)

Hey little Sweetie, today is your Mommy's Birthday! Next year you can help me make a cake for her and taste the yummy frosting :) For today though you can just smile and grow healthy, that's a really good gift for her. Grandma or Daddy will get your Mommy some cake and she can eat an extra piece for you.

I'm going to post some pictures for your Mommy's birthday. And soon I'll get some pictures for you of your Grandma and Grandpa from Poland! I only know a few words in Polish but I know that you will learn very quickly and then you can teach me.

Love,

Babcia (that's Polish for Grandma)

Good morning Angel. It's a rainy morning, God is watering the flowers for Spring. Grandma has been listening to the news about President Obama and the stimulus package. He's working on getting things straightened up for you! You don't have to worry a thing about it little darling. All you need to do is rest and grow. Grandma Loves You!

Pictures from Mommy

Your Mommy sent some pictures for your blog :) She can't believe how much she loves you already but I can because I remember loving your Daddy and your Aunt Annie before they were born. Have sweet dreams while you're sleeping and growing!

Lidia Mae goes to Florida

I wondered if you could feel the airplane taking off. I wondered if you liked it when your Mommy was swimming in the pool. We had a great vacation, here's a picture that your Daddy took of Mommy on the beach at Sanibel Island.

Daddy likes your blog :)

I showed this blog to your Daddy today, I think he likes it and wants to write to you too! I can't wait until I have pictures of you to add to it. Maybe I'll just post some of your Mommy for now.
Grandma loves you!

Eighty eight days......

Your Mommy is reminding us everyday that the time is getting closer! Seems like now you're all that I think about. I was making plans today to go camping and realized that you'll go with us this year! I bought you a new outfit today. I think of how dainty and tiny you will be. I pray every night that God will make you strong and healthy. Grandma loves you so much already.