I woke up early this morning and walked through the open door at the end of the hall into a pink and white room beside the guest room where we’re staying. The motion of the ceiling fan caught my eye. We must have left it on when we were working in here yesterday assembling the crib. It will be a while before the crib is used; the bassinet in the parents’ room will suffice for some time.
I pulled on the chain to turn off the fan, continued across the room to the second-story window above the leaf-strewn deck, and looked up at the sky. A constellation decorated the night. The name always seems to elude me, but it is the one with the three stars in a line, like a belt. Orion perhaps? I’ll have to look it up.
The house is quiet save for the nature sounds that play from an ipod speaker in Luke’s room through a monitor in ours.
Parents and baby will be coming home today.
Violet Marie Grote was born on Monday morning at 9:50 eastern standard time. She is 19-1/2 inches long and weighed 8 lbs. 14 oz. at birth. Her skin is soft, and her cry is insistent. When she opens her eyes, she is absolutely captivating. She’s attentive to the voice of her big brother, 2-year-old Luke, and looks for him when he speaks or sings her a song.
Isn’t life grand?
Moments like this diminish the power of all the negatives we bear.
You would know as well as anyone. I hope you are doing okay.
beyond grand!!!! 🙂
Congrats on the new grandchild!!
ps I love the name they chose for her!
Thank you. I love the name too.
Oh yes, it is! Congratulations, Christine, so happy for you and yours.
Thanks, Cynthia. It’s a bright spot in our lives.
Cheers to the family addition … and I hope mom is well too.
Cheers. Mom is doing quite well. Thanks.
Grand indeed, my friend! With all life has thrown at you the last couple of years, it’s wonderful to have some magic too. And there is no doubt: babies are magic. Congratulations!
What a nice surprise to hear from you. We’ve been to St. Louis three times in the last month. Once we’re home again, I’d love to see you.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, Nancy.
Welcome to the world, Violet Marie. Congratulations to parents and grandparents!
Thanks, Teresa. If you couldn’t tell, we are thrilled.
Life is grand! Congratulations!
Thanks, Susan.
I got goose bumps. So happy for you and your family. Can’t wait to see photos. 🙂
Thanks. We’re happy too.
Yes, VERY! Such wonderful news Christine. Have a wonderful time with your family, baby Violet (such a lovely name!) and Luke! 🙂
Thanks, Julia. I love the name. And Luke is a constant entertainment (and energy drain) 🙂
Welcome into this world, sweet little Violet. May life become a wonderful and exciting journey, with your Mom and Dad, your big brother and Grandmother and Grandfather and so many others watching over you. Guarding you. Guiding you. Be blessed.
Thank you for the lovely welcome, Marion. I hope you are blessed with grandchildren of your own some day.
Congratulations to you all! So happy for you. Glad everyone is well.
Thanks, Paula. Do you have a Facebook account? I’ve posted a photo or two there.
She has a beautiful name, Christine. How sweet she has a big brother who will fight for her all their days. I’m glad you and Mark get to be there for the homecoming. Congratulations to all!
We’re very happy to be able to spend this time with them. As long-distance grandparents, we miss so much. I love her name too.
Violet is a lovely name and in this day, unusual as well. Was she named after a grandmother?
I’m glad you could be there for all of it and to take care of Luke. How wonderful for you & Mark to be part of all of it.
Nancy
I love the name Violet too, but she was not named for any relative. They had quite a few criteria they used to pick her name, however. I’m glad they settled on this one.
We feel very lucky to be able to spend this time with them.
Congratulations and a big welcome to the world to Violet Marie! That is such a beautiful, almost old-fashioned, name. I bet she’s beautiful too, a new-fashioned girl with an old-fashioned name. 🙂
Thanks, Robin. Of course we think she is beautiful. And I suspect she will be a new-fashioned girl.
Oh Congrats on the new little one!!!
Thanks, Pamela.
Yay! Hope that Luke and Violet remain fast friends. 😀
I suspect they will. Two years is a good age span for that.
Christine — congratulations. As much as we love our bird sightings, this simply takes the cake. So happy for you. Such a beautifully written tribute to your new granddaughter!
Thanks, Melissa. She is a little tiny darling. Only 6 lbs 6 oz when she came home from the hospital. So far she’s been really good, but you know how that can be. Sometimes they are just too tired in the early days to make much fuss. Hopefully she’ll stay content, but I’m not placing any bets yet.
Sending you all much love across the airwaves to Violet Marie.. my own daughters second name is Marie.. 🙂
She sounds beautiful..
Welcome Violet Marie… may you light and presence bring peace to all in your life…
love Sue xx
Thank you, Sue. We are leaving here to go home tomorrow. It’s always sad for me to say good-bye to our grand children.
Congratulations, Christine!
Thanks, William.
Ah…congratulations Grandma. Nothing like baby time is there?
Thanks, Linda. It really brings it all back.