What a Week!

Grandma had to spend a few days in the hospital last weekend but is feeling much better now. You, your Momma and Daddy sent Grandma flowers and they made Grandma smile alot, especially because they were from you. Momma signed the note on the flowers, Love Jen, Kevin, and "Otto" which made me laugh a bunch! As you can see the flowers still are beautiful!

The twins, Duncan and Anne Marie ,decided that they wanted to make Grandma flowers and they too were very beautiful. They came to see Grandma in the hospital and we had a picnic lunch and they brightened Grandma's day with their many stories.

When Grandma came home, there were yet more beautiful flowers from the therapists that I work with. There were roses, roses, everywhere. I work with wonderful physical and occupational therapists and I hope to be able to go back to work with them this week.

Your Daddy then had back surgery on Monday and Momma had to have a test that all Momma's have to have while they are pregnant. Daddy is now doing much better than he was the first day after surgery although he has developed a very strange case of persistent hiccups! I hope that Daddy gets rid of the hiccups and continues to make a speedy recovery. His back has been bothering him for a long time and I am glad that he was able to get it fixed before your arrival.

I love you very much sweet grandbaby boy!

Grandma Gammon

THE YARD SALE

Dear pumpkin--another reason that you came to visit last weekend was to combine the wedding events with a yard sale. The yard sale day was crazy, crazy. Above are pictures of some of the items that needed to be moved to the front yard for the sale. Momma and Daddy, your great-grandparents, Great Grandma Santmyer and Pappy Santmyer, and Grandma and Grandad Gammon (and you!) woke up at 5:30 am to begin the event. Your Momma and Daddy had put up bright signs to guide people to the sale. An amazing number of people came to the sale and by 2:30 in the afternoon, we were all pretty tired! And you were moving ALOT that night. While your Momma was laying on the couch, we could see you kicking your protests about being up so long.

I was so blessed to have you and your Momma and Daddy and my Mom and Dad spend a busy but fun time together.

I love you pumpkin

Grandma Gammon

You came to visit again!

You and your Momma and Daddy came to visit last weekend. Your Momma was a bridesmaid in her friend, Debbie's wedding.

I think that you will agree with Grandma that your Momma was beautiful and your Daddy very handsome. I do believe the bouquet is hiding your portion of the photo.

I hope you enjoyed the wedding although I am betting you rested quietly through the entire event.

Love you so much and can't wait to hold you,

Grandma Gammon

A note from Grandma Gammon

Hi Otto! Grandma needs to apologize for not writing sooner but there has been a lot of things going on. Just know that I think about you each minute of the day and am consumed with love for you. Your Momma and Daddy have been trying to decide on your name but they won't share the final choices so for this week, I have decided your name will be Otto as I am pretty sure that is not one of the two names

After my last post, I went up to the University of Virginia to bring home a very special person in my life-Jake Barnes. He is the youngest son of Grandma's best friend from college, Kathy. He is pictured above with his father, Bob, and brothers Matt and Rob at his Eagle Scout Ceremony. The picture was taken in the special memorial garden for his Mother that he created at his church. Becoming an Eagle Scout is a high honor and I hope that you will interested in Scouts and aspire to become an Eagle Scout. Jake took off to the University of Virginia this year. He is enrolled in the engineering program, is a member of the band that plays at all of the home football games, and plays some great team frisbee. I am so very proud of all that he has accomplished!

Jake needed a ride home for Claire's (his niece, Rob and Katherine's daughter) 3rd birthday party and I enjoyed spending some time talking with him on our trip from Charlottesville to Richmond. Above is a picture Claire from the birthday weekend. We all had a great time at her party and had her favorite foods: pizza and cake. I am sure that pizza and cake will be some of your favorite foods also.

I love you my sweet baby boy

Grandma Gammon

I love you baby boy Conrad!

Hello to my handsome and "long-limbed" grandson! Oh my gosh, Grandma was so excited to hear the news on Sunday! I was not able to concentrate on any task until your Momma and Daddy called me about the test that identified that you are a wonderful baby boy!! I was to so excited that I was crying tears of joy when I saw your Momma's number on the caller ID--I didn't even need to hear her voice. It would seem that you may be tall and I am sure that all would agree that you received that tall gene from your height-challenged Grandma Gammon! You look quite handsome in your current photos and again know that I cannot wait to hold you, love you, and squeeze those cute cheeks.

I apologize for the gap in my posts but you are always on my mind and in my heart-- every minute of every day.

You, Mommy, Daddy, came to visit one week after I wrote about the twins and we had a great weekend together. They brought a lot of items for a yard sale coming up as they needed to make space for your new nursery! Your Daddy and Momma helped Grandma get "stuff" out of the attic and your Momma cleaned out a lot of things from her old bedroom. Your Daddy got really excited when we found Momma's original Nintendo game. He deemed that okay to save and took it back to your house in Northern Virginia. We had dinner with Grandad Gammon and we all really enjoyed the meal. Your Momma especially loved the dinner because she got to eat two of the fabulous desserts and it would seem that you both enjoyed the dinner and desserts a bunch! Your Daddy did manage to get a spoonful or two of the mini-desserts! although I don't think he was able to get as much of the Creme Brulee' as he may have wanted--your Momma loves Creme Brulee'. Grandma thoroughly embarassed your Momma and Daddy by taking "a bunch" of the fabulous mints from the basket as we left the restaurant. I can't wait to take you there for good food and great mints. I know you will assist Grandma in "grabbing a bunch of mints!" as we leave the restaurant.

Since you all were here, Grandma has been spending a lot of time trying to price "stuff" for the yard sale. It tends to be time comsuming and that is why Grandma has not done a yard sale in a loooooooooong time. I decided to take a break from yard sale stuff to communicate with my grandson tonight.

Congratulations also on the Steeler's win at the football game on Sunday. It was a bit more close than all of we Steeler fans would like but ultimately the "terrible towels" won and your loving family was very happy to see the game in the "win" column. The Redskins also won (against the Cowboys!!) so all in all it was a great football Sunday for the Conrad's, Gammon's, and Santmyer's.

I love you sweet baby and promise to write sooner

Grandma Gammon

Meet the twins!

Little one, I wanted to introduce you to Anne Marie and Duncan Thomas and their parents, Jennifer and Shawn. I was so happy to have lunch with them yesterday and l enjoyed every second that we were together--we had lunch, read books, and laughed as they ran, hopped, laughed, and told me many stories. I love them very much and have spent many,many special times with them. Anne Marie and Duncan are twins and they are now 3 and were born right around the time that you are due to brighten our world.

Some of the special times I have spent with the twins and their parents can be seen in the pictures below. Grandma decided that the twins needed to go to the circus this year and it was so wonderful to see their faces light up as they experienced new adventures at the circus . I cannot wait to take you to the circus!

Anne Marie and Duncan came over when Grandma had surgery and we had fun eating blueberries, lunch, and special treats. Anne Marie's tongue is the color of one of those special treats. We also made visors with foam shapes and watched their favorite shows on PBS, Thomas andCurious George. Yesterday, they could not wait to tell me about a new show, Dinosaur Train.

I was blessed to be able to go to the beach last fall with Anne Marie, Duncan, and their parents as well as their good friends, Sarah, Hannah and Anne Beth and one of their favorite aunts, "M".

Your Momma has already told me that you, your Momma and Daddy and myself will be heading to the beach next summer and that time cannot come too soon!

I love you very, very much,

Grandma Gammon

Welcome back sweet baby!

You all are back from your adventure to Costa Rica and your Momma tells me that you all had a wonderful time. She was a little worried about you on the trip from the airport to the hotel as the road was pretty rough. S0unds like you had your first gymnastic lessons on your trip! I was so glad to hear your Momma's voice when you all got to Atlanta and were headed home. While you were gone 3 moonflowers bloomed and they reminded me of you and I just can't wait to be able to hold you to my heart. I can't wait for you all to come visit next weekend! I love you very much and will continue this note in a bit. Grandma's computer needs to go to Maribeth for a little cleanup this week so I want to get a couple of posts in before.

I love you sweet pea!

Grandma Gammon

Hi there Peanut! Hope you are enjoying Costa Rica

Hi sweet baby. Grandma has had a few problems with the computer for longer than she would like and have tried many times to write to you. I think we have got the problems straightened out!



Last weekend was quite busy as you took your first trip "abroad" with Momma and Daddy to Costa Rica! They have been planning this trip for quite awhile and did not realize that you would be traveling with them. I hope that all three of you are having a wonderfully relaxing time. I miss talking with you all and cannot wait to hear about your trip. You all will be back on Sunday and I can't wait! I hope that the resort, sunshine and food met all of your expectations! and that you enjoyed the vacation.



Also last weekend, Katie had her first birthday and we all had a wonderful time celebrating at her party. Above is a picture of Katie with your Momma that was taken before you all went on vacation and also one of Grandma and Katie. She is very sweet and VERY Active at this stage and I know that you will give your Momma and Daddy quite the same activity level as you turn one. The third picture is from Katie's birthday party when she and her Daddy, Matt and Momma, Alison were opening presents!

I love you very much
Grandma Gammon

Hi there munchkin!

Grandma apologizes for not writing sooner for you have been in my thoughts many hours of each day. You and your Momma came to visit last weekend as her friend Debbie's bridal shower was last Saturday. You helped your Momma choose the food items that she made for
Debbie's shower (they also happen to be some of your Momma's friend's favorites). She had sent me an email saying that you had personally helped with deciding what to make as you were very hungry for those particular foods. While your Mom and I prepared homemade strawberry lemonade, cucumber sandwiches, and buffalo chicken dip (also a favorite of your Daddy's but I do not think there was any left to take back home) you seemed to rest quietly, knowing that you would enjoy the 'goodies' on the following day.

On that Friday, Aunt Barbara's daughter Tivey and her two children, Stephen and Sidney, and her Dad Steve brought a bunch of stuff for you little one. There was a huge box of toys, lots of books including one of your Mom's favorites, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a high chair and a car seat and many many things. Grandma is going to try to import a picture of Stephen and Sidney so cross your developing fingers! And now you can meet Stephen and Sidney as seen in the picture above. We had a good time visiting with Aunt Tivey and Stephen and Sidney and the children discovered a well known treat in Grandma's kitchen---peanut M and M's. Sidney could not eat the peanuts yet but she fell in love with some mini 3 Musketeers. Tivey and her children traveled from North Carolina to bring you the gifts and we are very blessed to have such an extended family. Stephen and Sidney's Dad was studying to take his law boards and we all hope that he did well on them.

On Sunday, your Momma and I went to visit Alison, Matt, and Katie. Matt is the son of one of your Momma' s favorite Aunt's, Kathy and Katie is Aunt Kathy's grandaughter. They also had some baby items to pass onto you but the best gift was getting to play with Katie as she was all smiles that day. Grandma has been trying to bring a picture of Katie and your Momma to this blog post but it has not been going so smoothly so that may have to come at a future date. But for now, here is a picture of Katie on her Baptism day. Grandma really needs to figure out how to place these pictures better!

Grandma has decided that one of your nicknames should be related to the beautiful Moonflower. It is a beautiful white flower that only blooms for one night. Everytime that you have been here, the Moonflower plant has bloomed. Still trying to figure out how to upload the picture for you---there goes all that technology stuff again! But I think that Chief of the Moons or Princess Moonflower would be lovely. I will ask some of my friends who are Mattaponi Native Indians what names would be appropriate.

We learned that you will have a cousin born very close to the time that you will come into this world. Your Mom's cousin, Sarah and her husband Mike are also pregnant. Your great-grandparents have been doubly blessed and we are so happy for all of you.

Getting a little late. I promise to work on the picture imports into the blog but know that I love you very much and you are in my heart every minute.

Love,

Grandma

Grandma made a mess!!

Oh, how I wished you were here today pumpkin! because cleaning up the kitchen would have been better if I had had a helper and someone to laugh with. Grandma was going to make a breakfast pizza to take to work this week and the pizza base is crescent rolls. But.....the rolls were a bit expired (I am sure your Momma will have a comment or two about that fact) and Grandma was going to throw them into the trash (because Aunt Kathy's picture was in the window and she is the Kitchen Angel for Grandma. You will hear much more about Aunt Kathy who I miss so very much).But, I wanted to get the Box Tops for Education for your Momma's school. Before I could get the Box Top label off of the tube, the can of Crescents blew up and there were thousands of pieces of dough everywhere in Grandma's new kitchen--on the ceiling, inside cabinets and drawers (which Grandma leaves open at the most inconvenient of times!), on windows, on the ceiling fan, in Grandma's purse and pieces even blew themselves into the dining room and the living room. I just kept thinking that if you were here, it would have been a lot more fun. The explosion even frightened Gabby, the cat, and she has difficulty hearing these days.

Today, I also especially missed Aunt Barbara. Her two daughters, Tivey and Carrie celebrated their birthday today. I will tell you about my best friends, Aunt Kathy and Aunt Barbara in a future blog because they were so very special to Grandma and to your Momma. And their children and grandchildren are very special to Grandma and your Momma too and you will hear a lot about them as you get to know your family.

Well back to the kitchen clean up although the explosion happened at 1 pm today. The kitchen has not been this big a mess since your Mom and I tried to make traditional strawberry jam. We went to the Berry Farm and picked the strawberries and were so excited to make the jam. We ended up with strawberry jam everywhere in the kitchen--the walls and the floor were red with jam. After that experience we would still have our annual trip to the berry farm but we would make freezer jam which your Momma loved very much (and the kitchen stayed a lot cleaner!)

Hugs and kisses to you little one,

Love Grandma

Hey there sweet baby!

Grandma was able to bring your picture here on her own!

Love you little one.
Grandma Gammon

I saw pictures of you today!

You, and your Momma and Daddy went to have your first pictures taken yesterday. You have a very distinctive head at this age and I believe I can see your nose and possibly a hand up by the place where one of your ears will be. I have looked at the pictures frequently since your Mom sent them and I just can't believe that I will be lucky enough to have a precious grandbaby coming in January.

I am sorry that I have been slow in writing this week but this was my first week back to work after 3 weeks off. I had surgery on my arm so that I will be able to hug you a bunch. Plus, many of your extended family members have been calling to check on your Momma and you and to share their excitement. I have also actually tried to work on being able to bring pictures to your blog but I imagine I will need the help of the technologically able members of our family to help me with that. I am sure your Momma or Daddy or Aunt Alison or Aunt Tivey or Uncle Shawn can help. It will require a little patience on their part as they teach me the fine art of downloading pictures--trust me some of them have tried in the past with similar tasks!

Love you so much!
Grandma Gammon

What a visit!

Dear Baby C--we all had a very interesting Friday here in Richmond and the good news is that your momma is feeling much better and I hope that you slept through the day in the comfortable spot that your momma has created for you.

Saturday was a much better day and your momma got to spend some time with some of her friends in Richmond. One of those is Debbie Flanagan (she is the fourth bridesmaid to the right), a friend from high school who will be getting married in October and you will be in the wedding party at your young age, as your Mom will be one of the bridesmaids!

She also spent time with her good friend Meg, Meg's husband BA, Meghann and many others. You will get to meet them in time and they are so excited about welcoming you into your Momma and Daddy's family of friends. Meg bought your Momma the lunch she has been craving since becoming pregnant--a turkey sub from Firehouse subs and the meat was cooked so it was good for her and no doubt you! Then Meg and Mom had pedicures--I am sure you slept through that one!

We had dinner with your Grandaddy Gammon tonight to celebrate your Momma's birthday and Father's Day. Grandaddy Gammon is very, very excited about becoming a grandfather.

You and your Momma will be leaving to go back to Northern VA tomorrow and I will miss both of you so much. But you all will be back in Richmond in two weeks for Debbie's bridal shower and I can't wait to spend time with you all again.

Sleep tight little one!

Love always,
Grandma

Your first visit to Richmond

Hi there Pooh Bear! I have thought long and hard about what to call you during these months of your early development as Baby Conrad is just too formal. So through this and future posts I will try out a variety of endearing terms for the most precious baby ever. After you are born, even more terms of endearment will be used by all that meet you and get to hold you and look into your eyes and enjoy each moment with you.

You and your Momma came to Richmond today for a visit. You all visited her hairdresser who somehow has ESP about her clients being pregnant and guessed that Mom was pregnant. Your Momma's hair looks lovely and she nearly fell asleep while she was getting the cut and highlights. Your Mom is a bit tired and this is very normal for this stage of her pregnancy as she is creating a very comfortable home for you for the next 6 1/2 months. She is eating better now and apparently she and you and her good friend Meg enjoyed an old recipe from Pennsylvania that is called Strawberry Pretzel Salad. You will hear alot about Pennsylvania as you grow up and I am guessing that you will be a Pittsburgh Steeler fan. But more about that on another day.

Love,
Grandma

oops!

Oops! Grandma was so excited about creating a blog that she forgot to sign her first blog post to you and to put in a picture of your Mom and Dad.

For now my name will be Grandma but babies have a way of creating their own names for their grandparents and I will love whatever name you choose.

I love you very much Baby Conrad!
Grandma Gammon

I created a blog!

Dear Baby Conrad,
Today I created a blog and it only took 1 hour! By the time that you are 2 to 3 years old, your parents will have taught you how to do this in a maximum of 10 minutes and you will be teaching Grandma all of the technological tricks you have mastered.

I wanted to be able to write to you and to let you know, even at your young age of approximately 11 weeks, what a blessing you are to me, your Momma and Daddy and to your very extended family. In future posts I hope to help you get to know all of those who will love you and welcome you into their hearts. The photos above were taken of the Santmyer's at your Momma and Daddy's wedding. Your great-grandparents- Great-Grandma Santmyer and Pappy are the folks in the dancin' picture (Truth be known, Great-Grandma loves to dance more than Pappy!) . They are amazing and I am sure you will love them as much as they will love you. Your Momma was able to spend alot of time with your great grandparents as she was growing up, most especially at Christmas and at the beach, and when work called Grandma away from home and Virginia. They are very happy that your Mommy is pregnant with you--they have been waiting a long time for this wonderful event! Welcome sweet baby Conrad.