Tuesday, March 24, 2009

A Mother's Love

Mommy kissing her baby goodbye as she leaves for her first day back at work.

Mommy getting in car with a broken heart.

I love you Gran, but where's Mommy?

Tummy Time - Mommy says it is good for me!

So sweet!

Sleeping so good

Working on Alyssa's blanket during naptimes.

My "sweet daughter" Mandy had to go back to work this week. Her baby is 12 weeks old and it was heartbreaking. She is the best little Mom. I am keeping the baby for her while she works. I went to her house on Monday to make it easier for her. He is very attached to his Mom. She is nursing him so it makes it harder to leave him. It was so sad for both of them. Mommy cried and Baby cried and Gran cried! She came home at lunch to feed him and you should have seen his whole face light up. It is amazing that at 12 weeks old he knows her so well. He had a rough day yesterday without her just as she suffered without him. Today was a better day for him though. I don't think it was any easier on Mommy though. I met my "Sweet honey" for breakfast and guess who dropped by as we were leaving......Baby Davis's daddy! I was changing his diaper and he just came and took over. He put him in the car seat and kissed him goodbye. It was so sweet. He is such a good daddy and is willing to help with whatever he can. I think Daddy is having a hard time too just knowing baby is not home with Mommy. I never had to leave my newborn babies so I can only just imagine how they feel. I wanted to share a sweet note that my daughter left me yesterday as she left for work crying. I don't think she will mind me sharing. This note meant the world to me. I try to help all of my children and grandchildren as much as I can but sometimes I need to hear that I am appreciated. Mandy will never know what this note meant to me. There is nothing that could have meant so much to me than this note. Baby Davis did great today (our second day). He took sweet naps and had lots of happy times. My "sweet daughter" Maranda took a vacation day and helped so much. While he was sleeping I worked some more on my "sweet grandaughter," Alyssa's crocheted blanket that I am making her. Tomorrow my other grandchildren will get out of school early so I will have 4 children! Pray for me!

Mom,
First of all, let me start by saying "thank you." This by far is the hardest thing I've had to do my in my entire life. Baby Davis has been the biggest part of me for 52 weeks (pregnancy & 12 weeks old). Everyday I've talked with him, read to him, played with him, and felt him. Today is the first day he will not be with me. I will say that I have cherished each moment I've had with him and I've had a blast! I know that this is much harder for me than for him and I know that he is in great hands. Thank you for making this hard day as easy as it can be. He loves to sit in his bouncy seat in front of the window and look outside. I love for him to do tummy time because he looks like such a big boy. He eats about every 4 hours now. I know you will learn all of this but as a Mommy, I just want to let you know. I know he will love you just as we all do. You are the rock of our family. I am going to be as strong as possible and know that God is in control. Many women (Mommys) have told me, "you will get used to this." The thing is that I don't want to get used to not being with my baby. I thank God each and every day for this miracle and I know that in HIS time everything will work out. I am trying to "trust" this! It is a challenge. I also thank God everyday for you!
I love you and thank you,
Mandy
I just thought you all would enjoy reading my special note from my daughter. There are not words to tell you how much this meant to me.
**Special Prayer Request: Please pray for my "sweet Mom" as she is having some back problems and pray for my 95 year old "Sweet Granny". She is not feeling well at all.**

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Valerie thank you for sharing such a personal time in your family with us. I never experienced this so I can't imagine how hard this much be. I will be praying. He is so adorable!

Blessings,
Julie

Angie said...

Will pray for you, Mandy, your mom and granny. How precious of a family. Your grandson is just so sweet too. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful letter.
blessings on all, angie

Needled Mom said...

So sorry to hear that your mom and your granny are not doing well. I pray they both feel better soon.

Like you, I never had to leave my children with someone else and I can only imagine how difficult it would be. What a wonderfully sweet note that she left for you! It must be such a reassurance for her to know he is with you.

Needled Mom said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Janene said...

Valerie~
That is the most heart wrenching letter that I have ever read!
I remember leaving my 1st newborn with my Mom, when I worked. I couldn't do it...I quit my job!
Your daughter is so much stronger than I was.
It is a good thing that she is able to come home during lunch and feed him...that is so important!
She sounds like a very good Mommy,
and of course we already know that you are...helping your children like you do!
Enjoy you day with that bundle of cuteness!

QuiltedSimple said...

It is hard, but it was always good for me at least to get to come home to them. ANd he is in EXCELLENT hands - I love the pic of him on his tummy. I'll be thinking of your mom and grandma
Kris

Anonymous said...

Hi Valerie!
I can't imagine how hard this must be for your daughter. It must be very comforting for her to know that Baby Davis is in your loving and capable hands. After all you raised her!
Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Anonymous said...

I understood Mandy's letter to you even though I did not have to leave mine when they were babies. I knew there was always that possibility. There is no love greater than that of a mother and her child. I totally understood that letter. Such strength God gives to Mothers. I love you Mandy and Beth.

Sonya --Dime Store Thrift said...

Many prayers, this one choked me up and is staying with me. Sonya

Julie said...

What a tender post. My heart goes to your family, especially your daughter. I hope that she is blessed for her devotion and love to her little one. I can tell that she is an amazing Mom. The world needs more like her. Blessings to your family as you adjust to this new phase of life. Julie

Lisa said...

WOW - Now that I have tears rolling down my cheek, I will see if I can't leave you a little post.

I know all to well how your daughter feels. I left my son for a month as I went back to work and well I never got over it. I am not a SAHM and love every minute of it. I feel for your daughter, but at least she has a good caregiver. Those pictures you took are precious!!

Praying for your Momma.

Unknown said...

Well let's just cover all of the needs in your family right now in the name of Jesus!

Did that note come with a hanky?
cause I need one now.

Latane Barton said...

What a sweet note. My heart aches for Mandy.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Valerie, this just broke my heart! Baby Isaac is 5 months old today and I have got to be with him every single day! I am blessed to work in our family business so I get to bring him to work with me and my family helps out during the day. I am praying for your daughter, being a new mom I can imagine how she feels. This make so thankful for the opportunity I have to be with Isaac during the day.

Krista said...

Okay, I'm crying now, and that isn't good because I am at work. I was thinking how lucky Brendia is while I was reading the post and then clicked on your comments to see she is the last person who posted. I hate to say I've never gotten used to it, and my kids are almost grown. I miss every minute that they are at home without me. I loved getting to be there when they came through the door from school. I, like Mandy, had excellent caregivers for them when they were babies! My mother-in-law kept them until they were old enough to go to pre-school, and I wouldn't change that for the world. I will be praying for Mandy, your Mom, and Granny!

Carole Burant said...

Oh Valerie, I have tears running down my cheeks after reading that note from your daughter!! I can't even imagine how painful it must be having to leave your baby to go back to work...like you, I was always lucky that I could stay home with my babies. My daughter in law has a year off for maternity leave and she's already saying how hard it will be for her to go back to work once that year is up!! Bless your heart for offering to take care of him while his parents are at work, as your daughter says, he will be well taken care of by you:-) xoxo

SandyQuilts said...

Oh I'm sorry sweet mommy had to return to work ... I know how that feels.

I was still working when GD#1 and GD#2 were born. BUT I was retired when GS came along ... oh the time we had. He's 8 now.

The fun and memories ... so many to come.

Anonymous said...

Valerie,
I will be praying for all of you. As I read the letter, tears filled my eyes. God truly blessed you with a wonderful daughter and beautiful grandbaby. I really enjoy your site. It's always packed full with so many things that you share with us. Thank you for a great site.

Blessings,
Alleluiabelle

Midlife Mom said...

What a gorgeous dear baby! How blessed he is to have you in his life to care for him while Mommy works. The note she gave you is just amazing and I am fighting tears! You have a lovely family Valerie!

Rhonda said...

I've just started taking of my grandson while his mommy and daddy are working too.
My Gavin is 7 weeks and his mom went back at 5 weeks.

I know they miss him but I am so thankful to be able to spend so much time with him.

And I'm very happy that neither of our tiny babies are left with strangers in daycare. How do those moms that only have that option manage?

My Colonial Home said...

Baby Davis is just so cute - 12 weeks already - my it seems like a couple weeks ago is all!

I never had to experience leaving a newborn baby or any age children for that matter to go off to work but I do know how I would have felt.
The personal letter was so sweet and it shows the closeness of your family.
Karen
http://mycolonialhome.blogspot.com/

Sandy said...

It truly means a lot to know once in awhile how much you mean to your family. We do these things automatically because we are Moms and want to help, but it sure feels good to hear it also! Have fun with that new little guy.

Susan said...

What a great letter.i will pray for your daughter. I have never had to leave my children and my heart breaks for her. I understand her not wanting to get use dto being away from her baby so I will also pray that the Lord will provide a way for her to not have to get used to it.
absolutely a beautiful post.