To Chloe, From Mom

Dear Chloe,

People say to always live in the present moment.  “Don’t look back” they say, that stuff has already happened and passed.  “Don’t look forward” they say, that stuff has yet to happen and there is no need to worry about it.  As a mom, your mom, I’ve realized that this doesn’t apply to parenting, at least not for me.

When I kiss your warm forehead goodnight, I kiss my baby, my one, two, three, four, five, six year old.  That’s who you are to me.  Every past moment wrapped into one.  The love I feel for you just adds to all I felt the day before. Every triumph and mistake I’ve made as your mom teaches me, and I remember.

When I watch you interact with people, tell a story, try something new, or get upset I watch my six year old with wonder about how these moments are shaping you and who you will become.  I look ahead thinking of you and your endless potential. I consider and carefully plan how I treat you; I know the lasting effect that I will have on you as your parent.

And always, I truly experience each moment we are in- the fun ones and difficult ones. I know you see me taking a million pictures and videos of you; gently reminding you to put dates on your drawings, carefully collecting your school papers out of your folder…I can’t help it.  I’m capturing the moments, cherishing them, and you are so patient with me. 

I use all of these thoughts about who you’ve always been, who you are now, and who you may become to be the best Mom I can be for you. I think about you, every tiny part of you; all the time.  I am on your side.  Just by living, you teach me who you are, and I listen. I won’t stop looking back, looking forward or enjoying each moment. Ever. Because that’s how I Love You.

Love,

Mom

To Chloe, From Abby

Dear Chloe,

This is the second year that your mother has put this special book together for you. I decided not to write you a letter last year because I was a very confused new parent. We hadn't yet found our groove as a family and I was battling mixed feelings about my role in your life. When I met your mom in 2009, you were four years old - and I was ill prepared to share my life with a child. The only experiences I had had with children were purely fun ones where I played the part as the "tickle monster" or its distant cousin, the "lava monster".  I really wasn't sure how to discipline you or offer your mom any parental support. Not to mention, at that time, you were displaying some behaviors that were very concerning to me. (Please ask us about this if you'd like more information.) Needless to say, I was struggling to be what you needed me to be. And too, I think you were struggling to make sense of your changing life.

In this past year, you and I have blossomed together. We have established ourselves as family to one another, and I spend my time thinking about how to make your life better and better. In a short time, you have become my daughter and we have proven that a blood relation is secondary to the love and connection shared by human beings. It is a beautiful thing.

I love you, deeply, and I am proud of the person you are now...and the person that you are becoming. I dream about our future years together as a family and it makes me smile in my heart. Your mom and I are here to support you in whatever it is you wish to achieve. We are here to love, empower and encourage you no matter where you find yourself. You can always count on that.

xoxo,

Your Abby

To Chloe, From Grandma Vicki

Chloe Bear.... Wow you are 7 years old. I cant hardly believe it. I've been thinking about this last year. Remembering all the fun times we have had and the wonderful things we have done. First grade...my goodness. The years is almost done and then second grade. You are doing so good in school. I love seeing all your art when I pick you up. I am so proud of the wonderful person you are becoming and how thoughtful you are. You are the sunshine in my days. I love all of our special times together. We went on your first shopping spree. Sleep overs, the zoo to see the dinosaur exhibit, seeing a movie or going to dinner. Sometimes just hanging out together talking. I love them all. I think my favorite times are when we get a pretzel, go to the simulator (I know I never want to go on a real roller coaster!) and then go to the park. Bleodel Donavan Park on Lake Whatcom. Remember... we call it the beach with a park or the park with a beach because it's both. On you first Christmas I bought you an ornament. Then every year I bought one for each year old you were. This Christmas (2011) We went shopping together and bought a set of colored ornaments. You picked them out. At first you thought it was silly to get them because you did not have your own tree. Once I explained it to you it was a go. You were excited about it. We will keep the tradition as long as you want to. That way you will have decorations for your own tree someday.
One other thing I remember is you gave me brain bugs. That is special because only you your Mom, Abby and I have them. They help you think and remember things. Silly me I can’t remember what they look like. Guess I need a dose of new ones.
I guess the one thing I really want to say to you is I really love you grandbaby. I love every minute we have together. I love snuggle bug hugs and chatting about whatever comes to our minds. I just want to hug the stuffins out of ya all the time!!
I love you
Grama

A survey

I asked Chloe to fill out this page. These were the only questions she wanted to answer.

Mothers Day



I thought I'd taken more pictures than I had.  As it turns out, this is the only good one I could find of Mom.  She has a cute napkin-hat blocking the sun from her eyes. 



We had a relaxing and fun mothers day with the three of us and my Mom.  We had breakfast all together at home.  Then we visited for the first part of the day.  For lunch we brought a picnic to the park and enjoyed the sunshine for a while.  

For mothers day Chloe devised her own idea for gifts to Abby and I.  She'd been holding onto hugs for each of us in her room.  When the time came she went to get them and held them behind her back before she pounced the hug, surprise on each of us.