Dear Liliyah:Christmas 2014 will go down in history as one of the most exciting Christmases of my life. You may not remember much of it, because you were only 3 years old. BUT, Nana will remember every second, because you and your Daddy spent 17 whole days in Rochester, NY visiting us. From the time the plane reservations were made (which was way back in September), until that day at the airport when you arrived, Nana had tickles in her belly that just wouldn't quit.
I had lots of work to do before you arrived. I had to make sure we had a table just your size and chairs for you to fit in. I fixed up the guest room just for you, so that you had your very own bed and little closet. I even filled the closet with clothes for you. I made a special bedroom for Daddy so that he could get away and have a little privacy. I added more Christmas decorations and lights because little people just love the holidays. AND, I refused to put up a Christmas tree until you arrived. I wanted you to pick out and decorate your very own tree.
You and Daddy arrived just a few days before Christmas. Nana didn't sleep all night. I insisted on being at the airport an hour early. Papa Tom laughed at that because he said it was not going to make the plan get there any earlier; and I know he was right, but I just couldn't help myself.
The feeling I got when I saw you walking through the gate was amazing! You were walking with Daddy and had your own luggage and backpack....you were so cute walking like a big girl. Then you spotted me through the glass and we just put our hands on the glass and looked at each other. All of a sudden we both started to run to that door so that we could hug. I finally had my babies home....because, you know, both you and your Daddy are my babies. When we went downstairs to get your luggage, we were able to pet a great big dog. I mean, he was almost as big as a horse! He was a very gentle doggie and you weren't afraid of him. The entire airport was full of excitement that day as people were arriving to be with their families.
We loaded your luggage in the car, fixed your car seat, and away we went, headed for home. Of course, Nana sat in the back seat so that you and I could catch up. I was amazed at how much you were talking. You told me stories about riding on the airplane, and that you had become a big girl and didn't wear diapers anymore. You also told me that you were learning not to hit your friends at Daycare and that you get smiley stickers when you are extra special good; and you said that Zack is no longer your friend....that made me laugh.
As soon as we got home, we got both you and Daddy settled. Then Nana had to prepare dinner because Grandpa and Grandma Kate and Aunties Abby, Tracy, and Kerry were all coming over to see you. We had two kinds of chili that night. You were still so excited that you didn't eat much, but you certainly had tons of fun getting to know everybody all over again. Finally, we tucked you in bed with Bunny, and Nana read you a story. The next day was a fun day. We had to go get our Christmas Tree! Daddy, Lil, and Nana went to a big Christmas Tree Farm where we use to take Daddy when he was a little boy. They even had little goats for you to pet and feed. We walked way down a path full of trees until you and Daddy picked out the one you wanted. Daddy and I knew it was a pretty small tree, but you thought it was the biggest one in the whole place! We brought the tree home and set it up. You were excited about decorating it, but we had to explain to you that we had to wait a whole day to decorate it so that the branches could settle.
That afternoon after your nap, I let you decorate a big gingerbread boy. As you were docorating him, his head broke off. You just looked up and me and said...."Oh, that's sad." Nana laughed, and we put extra icing around the gingerbread boy's neck so that his head would stay on.You also loved your bath time. You would spend hours in the bath tub. Nana had many bottles of bubble bath and bath tub paints for you to play. You would paint all kinds of pictures on the bath tub walls. I really think you are going to be quite the artist and very creative when you grow up. When you were done with your bath, we would take your bath towel that I had bought especially for you and wrap you up tight. It had a hood on it that was an owl face. You would always say, "Nana, wrap me up like a little baby." Then you would tell me to show Daddy and Papa Tom that you're wrapped up like a little baby. It ended up being a little game we played after every bath. One day you were playing in the tub for so long, I finally had to talk you into getting out and getting dressed. So, I soaped up your wash cloth, gave it to you and told you to wash your butt. You said, "OK, Nana, but it won't be perfect!" You were so funny.
Every night when we would tuck you in bed, either Daddy or I would read you a story. The first few nights you fussed and cried when you were tucked into bed. It was hard for Nana to let you cry, but Daddy was doing a very good job of helping you to grow up. You had to learn when bed time was and that we all need to rest so that we can grow. When I would read you a story, your would always say to me, "Nana, let's talk about our day." We would have fun recapping the whole day and talking about all of the fun things we did. I will always remember those nights when we just cuddled side by side and talked about our day.
One night when Daddy tucked you into bed, you were crying so hard. You had done something bad and Daddy was not going to read you a story. He just told you that you had to go to bed like everybody else was doing; and he shut your door and went to bed himself. Papa Tom and I were also in bed. I heard you crying and crying, but for some reason, you had a different cry that night. I could just tell that you were sad and just wanted to know that you were still loved. I could tell that you were sorry for doing something bad, but there was nobody to say "I'm sorry" to. So, Nana finally got out of bed. I very quietly opened your door and saw that you were crying big elephant tears. I just walked over to your bed without saying a word, snuggled by your side and we just looked at each other. You stopped crying. Neither of us said a word, but we just snuggled and looked at each other for just a couple of minutes. Then I got up and put my finger to my lips to give you a sign that you should stay quiet and go to sleep. I walked out of your room, and I didn't hear another peep out of you. This moment brought back so many memories for me. Your Daddy use to do the exact same thing when he was your age. There were nights when he would fuss, and I would let him fuss until he fell to sleep. I could tell he was fussing just because. BUT, there were some nights where I could tell that he just needed one more hug. It was a different cry, and I could always tell if he was really, truly sad and needed to be reassurred that everything was ok. On those nights, I would do the same thing. I would just walk in his room and snuggle up to him and just look at him. Just like you that night, it only took a couple of minutes. Then I would put my finger to my lips and walk away. He would then go to sleep.
Oh, the fun things we did while you were here. We decorated the tree, watched cartoons together, went grocery shopping together, went for walks, played games. You even did my hair and makeup one day! We did just about anything you can think of. For the whole 17 days, my focus was all on you and your Daddy.
Grandpa picked you up a couple of times and took you to the museum, Chucky Cheese, and some other fun places. He even took you out for ice-cream one night.
On Christmas Eve, we went out to Gage's house. Gage is your cousin, who is also your age. While we were there, Santa came to the door! You were so surprised! You sat on his lap and told him what you wanted for Christmas. He gave you some sprinkles to shake out in our front yard so that the reindeer would find you. That night we went to church where my Mommy and Daddy use to go to church. You were so good; you never made a sound in church. We were very proud of you. When we got home, it was time to set out the cookies and milk for Santa. You and Daddy went out on the front porch and sprinkled the sparkles for the reindeer. Then, it was time to tick you in bed, and Daddy read "Twas the Night Before Christmas". to you. We gave you strict orders to knock on your bedroom door when you got up. We would have to check to see if Santa had arrived before you could come out of your room. You had a very big day, so you were off to sleep very quickly.
Bright and early, I heard the knock on your door. Papa Tom and I put you in our bed with us until your Daddy got up. And then, the time came. Daddy got up and checked the tree; and sure enough Santa had come! The tree was full of presents all for YOU! You were also very surprised that the plate of cookies and milk were gone. Santa had eaten the cookies, drank the milk, and even took the carrots you left for the reindeer! You spent the entire morning opening up presents. I think you were so overwhelmed that you just didn't know what to play with first! AND, you day wasn't over. After you finished opening your presents and eating your breakfast; you and Daddy got ready to go to Grandpa and Grandma Kate's house for another Christmas! You gave me some very special presents this year. You and Daddy worked together to make some ornaments out of wine bottle corks. Almost always, the most important gifts I receive are those that don't cost lots of money; but though and effort have been put into them. I could just picture you and Daddy working together to make these special ornaments. That's what makes them so special.
Two of the most precious gifts your Daddy gave me when he was little were bicycle peddals and a screw driver. The bicycle peddles came for my birthday. He was your age when he gave them to me. His daddy and I had decided that we weren't going to do birthday presents for Mommy that year because we really had very little money. Your Daddy began to cry; he was heartbroken. It was then that I realized that birthdays and special holidays weren't about receiving. They were all about giving; and your Daddy wanted to give me something. So, his daddy took him in the other room and said, "Dustin, what do you want to get your Mommy?" He replied, "Bicycle pedals". Now....this was a very thoughtful gift because he had actually noticed that I was riding my exercise bike so much that the rubber was wearing off of my bicycle pedals. So, your Grandpa took your Daddy to the store and they bought some bicycle pedals. It was one of my best gifts.
The screwdriver is another beautiful story. When your Daddy got a little older and was earning a little money all on his own at a car wash place; he wanted to do his own Christmas shopping. He found something nice for Abby and his Daddy. Then he came to me and told me that he was afraid he would not have enough money to get me something nice. I told him that it was never about material gifts to me. I told him he could make something, or do something, or say something that would mean more to me than anything. We were standing in the garage having this conversation, and I happened to glance over at a toolbox sitting on the floor. I said to your Dad, "Dustin, it doesn't ever matter what the gift is. It only matters that it came from you. It could be as silly as a screwdriver, and I would love it." Well....on Christmas morning, he handed a gift over to me. It was a green canvas bag that I could use for going to the gym, or doing my gardening. BUT, the surprise was inside. I opened up the bag, and inside was a little screwdriver. I teared up....because, you see, that screwdriver was a symbol of that special conversation we had in the garage several weeks before. It was your Daddy's little way of saying, "I understand". That little screwdriver is still in my possession and whenever I see it, I think of that day a long time ago.
Every day after Christmas was full of fun. Daddy had to take a train to Boston for some business, so you were with me and Papa Tom for several days without Daddy. We kept you busy! We went shopping, you spent some time with Grandpa, and you even stayed up and rang in the New Year with us! You and I took one day and went to the Dinosaur museum with Gage and Owen and their Mom and Dad. You and Gage walked around hand in hand all day looking at all of the dinosaurs. When we came home, we found a movie called the Land Before Time, which is all about little baby dinosaurs. It was a movie that your Daddy loved when he was little. We watched it many many times; and when your Daddy got home from his business trip, the two of you watched it together.
Oh....the fun we had together, reading stories, taking baths, going for walks, playing games....I could go on and on and on. It was a very special Christmas.
On one of the coldest days of the year, we had to take you and Daddy back to the airport so that you could go back home. I worried about you all day until Daddy sent me a text and said that you were home safe and sound. He said you were a very good girl on the plane.
I love watching my little Liliyah grow up. Just like your Daddy and your Aunt Abby, every day is special. Even when you grow up, I will still enjoy everything about your life.
Love,
Nana
