A place where everybody knows your name... "Baby Grace"

"Baby Grace" - as you are currently called on our Street- it is time to explain to you the special place where you live.

After Mommy and Daddy got married, we decided to move to the North Shore. This was after we each moved around - a lot. Mommy grew up here. Her family is all here. Daddy grew up two hours away but he loved Mommy so much and this area so much, that he agreed to move here too.

So, we looked for houses for a long time. At first, it seemed like nothing would be the right fit. Then, we saw our house. And we said, "there's no way that could be our home." It was perfect. Big white house with black shutters, a nice front porch and a pool in the backyard on a tree lined street. But somehow- with Grammy's real estate magic and Daddy's financial good sense- we managed to make it happen.

Little did we know that what the house looked like, would be the least exciting thing about living on our Street. On the day we signed the papers for our house, there was a big storm. It knocked down branches and damaged a car down the street. What a way for a meteorologist (that's Daddy) to greet the neighbors. But it got better!

You see, Grace, you live in a special place. It's hard to put exactly into words what makes it special but I'll try. It comes down to the people who live here. They embody the true meaning of "neighborly" and "community." Even before you were born, they were looking out for you. Shoveling the path & driveway when Daddy was at work and Mommy was too pregnant to help or dropping off homemade goodies. Then in the Spring, you were one of five beautiful babies born to families on our Street.

I've never lived anywhere like this... where most everybody knows your name and genuinely cares about the answer when they ask how you are. Where, even though people are very different, they all seem to enjoy each other's company.

There's something about driving down the street and waving hello to the people you pass by. There's something about seeing each other's children grow. There's something about sharing a glass of wine and a story about how life is going. There's something about watching other people go to work every day just to make life better for their families. There's something about watching other parent's stay home and raise their children to be the best people they can be. And there's something about helping each other through good times and bad times. We have certainly been on the receiving end of some amazing generosity.

So, even though the future could bring changes at anytime... because that is just how life is... Mommy and Daddy hope to stay here for a long time. We hope you get to run around and play with those other beautiful babies born on Bertram Street, along with all of the other wonderful children on the block. We hope you come to know the special feeling we get living here. We hope you will be grateful for this place someday too.

Cheers... to neighbors, community and calling a place home.

When it rains, it pours: The common cold, the stomach bug, & a broken hand for good measure

Well, Grace this blog was just about the common cold. Your first real cold.
But then it decided to pour on the Burnett household. There was the cold. We'll get to that. There was the stomach bug. And for good measure, there was Daddy's broken hand. We are having a rough couple of weeks.

First- the common cold. Yes, it was just a cold. But when you are a first time mom and you have to watch your five month old precious little baby sniffle and cough her way through it... your heart breaks.

To me, the common cold was not so common.
It's was days of her having to sleep sitting up which cannot be comfortable after awhile.
It's was days of a runny and congested nose that is raw and red and that she does not want me to wipe anymore.
It was days of having to stick a syringe ball into her nose while she looks up at you with those eyes of "Mommy - No!" "Not again."
It's was days of no sleep for Mom, as she woke herself up every couple hours trying to breath easier. (Side note- The exhaustion is almost worse than the very beginning because I'm back at work and there's no recovery time.)

And just because it was a cold, did not stop us from doing the first time parent thing and calling the doctor twice & visiting once, even though we know what they will say. "It just has to run its course. She'll be fine." (The picture attached is of Mommy & Baby smiling just after getting the all clear on the lungs and ears!) It didn't stop me from trying to sanitize every toy and surface she plays on or with. She does shove everything into her mouth, you know. It didn't stop me from becoming a hand washing dictator demanding that my poor husband scrub his paws all the time. And yes, I also fully realize this is just the beginning. She will no doubt be encountering every possible germ while playing with other little ones, going to school or just existing in this big wide world. It still doesn't change the experience of the first one.

The good news, Grace was on the mend, after nearly two weeks.
The bad news, this was all my fault! I gave it to her. I also infected my dear husband. Talk about mommy guilt in high gear. It's a struggle with that burning need to "fix it" but not being able to. I think this feeling with be a recurring theme. Fix it, I couldn't, but make her feel better along the way... my mission! I hope that I accomplished it. The mommy guilt will never go away, it just switches issues. I'll just do my best to make it my issue and not hers :)

Then the news got worse. Grace got the stomach bug. I'll spare you the details. But if I thought the cold was rough... the stomach bug broke my heart even more. But she's recovered from that, too!

And then the news got worse. Daddy played his heart out in a charity softball tournament with some Bruins players and made a diving catch... and snapped two bones in his hand. Now, he's on the bench, sort of. He's doing the best he can with one hand. Diapering with one hand. Feeding with one hand. Holding her with one hand. And this also means Mommy had to kick it into super Mommy gear. I haven't been this tired since Grace was born. But, you do what you have to do. And you remember, that no matter how dim it seems now, we are still blessed. We have amazing family, friends and neighbors who continually display what community is all about. The offers to help and the help have been heartwarming. Thank you all.

So with that, I'm wishing for brighter, easier days and I'm wishing you and your families good health!