So here we are, Christmas with the Smith side tomorrow. As the day "looms" in front of me, I am constantly praying that though it will be a day of tears, we will remember to rejoice in the joy and hope we have that we will be with Amanda again. And that hope and joy was all made possible because of the birth of our Savior.
Today, was a joyful day because we finally got to meet "December Baby." When our sister in law, Lindsey, found out she was due in December, Amanda
nicknamed the baby "December Baby." On the day Amanda died, she gave us specific
instructions about this precious little miracle we were all anxious to meet:
--To tell her young cousins and the “December baby” about her
so they wouldn’t forget her (our sister-in-law is due in December and Amanda
called it December baby)
Not only that, but Amanda had sketched out, on transparency paper, the pattern to make a home made teddy bear. Each page had a different body part drawn on it. She named it Cookies and even had the two button eyes taped to the page. The buttons reminded her of cookies, so that's where she got the name. I'm not surprised by this at all. Amanda had a love of stuffed animals. Seriously. She slept every night with a stuffed animal, a puppy, that Uncle Stephen and Aunt Lindsey gave her when she was about two. There is a book case in her room that is full of stuffed animals and she could tell us who gave the animal to her and the story that went along with it. So it doesn't surprise me at all that the gift Amanda had in mind for that baby was a stuffed animal.
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| Yeah, I think she loved stuffed animals! |
Amanda was really looking forward to this baby. She loved little kids. It was just a natural part of her personality - to take care of those that needed taking care of.
December baby, Leah Providence Watson, was born on December 10. She weighed 7 pounds 12 oz. After she was born, she spent six days in the NICU. During this time, only a few were allowed in to see her, so we had to wait to officially meet Leah. She came home earlier this week and both mom and baby are doing great.
Today was a tearful and breathtakingly sweet meeting. How can one not be filled with joy and awe over the birth of a child? As we welcome Leah to the family and look forward to seeing her grow, we will fulfill Amanda's wish and tell Leah, along with all the other cousins, about their courageous, strong, funny, and beautiful cousin.
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| Finally meeting Amanda's December Baby, Leah. |
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| Amanda's pattern for Cookie the Teddy Bear... |
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| Abby and Jem are very attentive to the new little one in the house! |
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| My sweet boy playing Candy Land with Abby. |
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| Amanda and Brandon meeting Abby. |
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| Amanda meeting Jem. |
A look back at the Watson cousins. I am so thankful that not only do we live close to family, but that we are close to our family.
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| This was last Christmas...so hard to believe... |
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| Team Watson - 2013 |
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You can make Cookie Bear into a reality :).
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Precious pictures and unforgettable memories- what a blessing to have!!! Thsnk you so much for the BEAUTIFUL Christmas card. I just love the pictures that you shared with us and the heartfelt message. I know that each and everyday is most difficult for you- I can't even imagine how difficult. You are in my thoughts often and you are in my prayers. I pray for God's mercy to ease your pain and to make each day easier to pass through.
ReplyDeleteI will always treasure the beautiful picture you shared with me of Amanda and I - I remember exactly when you took the picture on that Sunday night at church! I hadn't seen Amanda for awhile and she was able to come back to church and I was so excited!!!! Thank you so much for capturing that moment!! The picture was a wonderful wonderful surprise.
Love, Debbie Schiller