Dear Amie- Part 6

*I am writing a letter to my grandmother.  You can read Parts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 here here here here and here.*

2010:
On January 28th, Mom, Doug and I went to Babies R Us in Mobile to buy the baby's stroller and car seat combination.  You would have been aghast at all the baby contraptions and technology available for babies now.  The baby's car seat locks into a base that stays in the car.  That way, you can easily take the baby in and out of the car without having to fuss with locking it into a car seat each time.

On UG and AV's 8th wedding anniversary, Doug and I had the "big" ultrasound, where we could find out the gender of the baby and the doctor looked for any abnormalities.  We chose not to find out the baby's gender and the doctor found no abnormalities.  Yay!  We also didn't tell anyone what our name choices were.  So Mom and AT decided that the baby's name was Shawntavius Shanequa.  I don't know, they're your children.

On the 5th anniversary of your passing, Doug and I moved to Gautier with Mom.  Our house was not big enough for our impending addition and Mom had a large house all to herself, since Dad went to work in upstate Alabama.

In April, Mom threw me a baby shower.  Unfortunately, a lot of people couldn't make it, but AT, L, Aunt Em (shocker, I know) and a wife of one of Doug's co-workers came to the shower.  It was very nice and intimate and the baby received a lot of great things.  He or she would be set for sure.  Everyone thought I was having a boy, so we received a lot of boy clothes.

In May, Doug and I took a couple last pre-baby trips to New Orleans and Gatlinburg, Tennessee for some R&R.  Mom and Dad came with us to Gatlinburg.  Will and Mercedes were supposed to meet us, but ultimately didn't.  It was very nice to get away for a few days each time.  L graduated from 5th grade with a small ceremony.  Since it was only 5th grade, only parents were invited, so we didn't go.  I'm sure you would have been there with tears of pride streaming down your face.

In mid-June, the doctor determined that the little one wasn't so little.  With almost a month left until my due date, the baby was already 7lbs, 4oz.  The doctor decided to induce me a little early since the baby was clearly ready to be born.  On June 30th, your great-grandson, Weston Luke was born.  He was 8 pounds, 13 ounces and 22 inches long.  Even the OB stated that he was "solid" as I was delivering him.  He was born with a ton of dark brown hair and blue eyes.  Not the typical "baby" blue eyes, but blue eyes like yours.  I wonder what you would have thought about him.  We didn't know that Weston was a family name until Mom and Uncle Duck told me. Mom was disappointed (as was I) that he was not a girl, but he is SUCH a joy, I wouldn't trade him for a girl now.  AT, C and L came to visit us at the hospital.  C was afraid to hold Weston, but eventually did.

For Weston's first holiday, 4th of July, we went and watched fireworks at the top of the Beau Rivage casino in Biloxi.  I wish you, or someone, had told me how difficult parenthood is.  In late July, after I struggled with post-partum depression, L came to visit for a few days and play with Weston.  She was such a big help.  I need a live-in 12 year old!

In August, B and C started 10th grade and L started 6th.  Weston slept through the night towards the beginning of the month, which was very nice of him.  However, from the time he was born, Mom was a night nanny for him and about 4 days out of the week, she and Weston would go "bar-hopping", which was their idea of late night feedings.  It was very helpful and the sleep helped my PPD subside some.

In September, Doug had his first business trip since Weston was born, so for about 4 days, I was a single-parent.  It's not at all easy!  I also celebrated my first birthday as a mommy.  Doug and I celebrated one year of marriage...with a 9 week old.  Not what we planned, but absolutely perfect.

For Weston's first Halloween, he dressed up as an adorable caterpillar.  We went to a downtown trick-or-treat event and he promptly fell asleep.  You would have tried to overcandy him his parents, but loved on him as well.

At the beginning of November, Doug and I moved to a beautiful house in north Alabama.  Mom tried to convince me to leave Weston behind, but sadly for her, we brought him along.  We all went to UJ's for Thanksgiving.  It was a nice several days for our family.  This was the first time UJ and AD met Weston.  They think he is amazing...he IS!

Weston's first Christmas was awesome! Not only did Santa come to visit, but it SNOWED!!  We got a few inches of snow overnight Christmas Eve, so we woke up to a white Christmas.  Amazing!!  Dad, Mom, Will and Mercedes all came to our house on Christmas Eve to spend the night with us.