A gift for Gigi

As a small token of thanks to my mom for ALL she's done to help with Barrett! I ask Erin at The Vintage Pearl to make a special necklace for her! I loved this teardrop design with the pearl, and I think it turned out perfectly for my mom. We gave it to her Friday night and she loved it! I hope she thinks of how much we LOVE her every time she wears it!

She's been so wonderful since Barrett was born....I always knew I was lucky to live in the same town as my parents, but now that I have a child, it's even more important and special to me. I sometimes take for granted that my mom is just a 5 minute car ride away. Some people aren't so fortunate and I know that I am blessed in that regard.

My mom was right by my side those first few months of my pregnancy...when I was so sick I couldn't get out of bed; when I couldn't drive myself to the doctor; when I was so dehydrated and nauseous that they checked me into the hospital overnight; when I was too weak to make the trip to Wal-Mart to buy class supplies for work every week during the summer of '07; when the musty smell of my house made me sick and she & my sis-in-law cleaned for two days straight to make it perfect for me; when I could no longer bear walking into my house, and I moved out to her house for 3 weeks...she was always there.

She was by my side again in the hospital when they told me Baby Barrett's heart wasn't reacting they way they'd like to the pitocin, and I needed to consider a C-section...I felt like I'd failed and I couldn't control the tears when I realized the birth I'd imagined wasn't going happen. She was there the day after we got home from the hospital, doing laundry, bringing food, and watching Barrett while Justin and I retreated to the bedroom for a much needed nap! She was there for Barrett's first bath at home...when we didn't have a clue what we were doing, and we needed those extra two hands to get the things we'd forgotten in the nursery. And then when Barrett was so relaxed from the water running on his little head that he pooped right in my hands!

Now she's there, just a phone call or a short drive away, when I need anything. She's a teacher, so she's home during the summer, and she's been keeping Barrett when I have to go to work. He loves going to Gigi's and is always such a good boy for her. She's there when I have questions about feeding, and sleeping. My little brother makes fun of me because I call my mom so much... but I know she'll always be there to answer my silly questions, celebrate my little victories, and make me feel at ease.

I'm so blessed to have the relationship I do with my mom...she IS the best and I love her so much! She's a wonderful mom and a wonderful Gigi!