Quilt~Making

Mimi & Papa are expecting great grand baby #12 in early December so that means it's quilt making time for me again. Baby Girl Nydegger will be the 4th child for Erin & Jeffrey; she is already adored by Big Brother, Jackson & Big Sisters, Harper & Kaycee and our entire family is anxious to meet the little Princess.

When asked what colors she preferred, Erin simply said, "Aunt Judi, I want bright colors ~ not necessarily pinks" so choosing fabrics this go round was very easy.  I ventured into Hancock Fabrics this past Friday afternoon to select seven bright fabrics that complimented each other. After all, I had just found out earlier that day that Matthew & Gabrielle's baby due in mid-December is also a Princess, so that meant I needed to get to work & soon if I hoped to have both quilts finished before the babies are born.

 Fabrics prior to cutting laid out in the order of quilt block

 Strips are cut and laid out in order of assembly

 Let the sewing begin ~ 

Making a Log Cabin quilt is very much an assembly line process. 

It's an easy quilt to assemble, yet each one is unique depending upon the fabric colors selected.

And the cutting ~ 

After the center strip is sewn to the first light strip, the set is cut into nine 2 1/2" sets.

Center square with 1st light makes the 1st set.

 Two strips of each color are added to the block

 More cutting

Block assembly ~ 

The block grows larger with each additional strip added

 Completed block

I always sew an entire block together and look it over to make sure I am totally happy 

with the colors. Nothing is more depressing than to complete all nine blocks and lay it out 

to discover I didn't like the way it looked put together. 

Granny always said, "A stitch in time, saves nine". 

Well, my take on that is "If I love the block, I'll probably love the quilt!!!" 

After all nine blocks are sewn together, I lay them out to decide the pattern I love best ~ I normally get other opinions as well. The Log Cabin baby Quilt can only be assembled two ways ~ All 7's or Fields & Furrows.

 All 7's

Fields & Furrows

For Princess Nydegger's quilt, I chose All 7's (Matthew helped me decide this one ~ he said Fields & Furrows looks chaotic ~ must be his OCD kicking in!!!)

 First row laid out to pin prior to sewing

 Blocks are lined up & pinned so that proper alignment is achieved

 First of three rows completed. 

Repeat two previous steps twice more. 

Once all three rows are assembled, they are sewn

 together to complete the quilt top.

 And there you have it ~

A quilt top 

Just pieces of fabric

Made with lots of love 

For a special someone in my life

Ready to be prayed and loved over 

while being hand quilted.

I have people ask me from time to time if I'll make them a quilt, which is normally followed by "I'll pay you." It's crazy, this quilting hobby of mine. It started 18 years ago, soon after Granny moved into the home shared by Jessica, Matthew & me. Rosalie, my best friend from Picayune, suggested that we make a quilt top and let Granny quilt it for me. Well...the quilt top was assembled in a weekend, but when I brought it home to Granny, she was afraid that she couldn't do it. I had no choice but to learn how to quilt.

One hundred twenty-seven quilts later, I'm still at it. I quilt because I love it, it's relaxing and each one is made in its own uniqueness, just as unique as the recipient. If I allowed someone to "pay" me, I am fearful that the emotions I feel would be lost. (Plus they probably couldn't afford my asking price!!!)

That just would not be fair 

for a Quilt not only brings warmth 

but also lots of love and comfort.

It's a ... GIRL

Wow, it's been almost two years since I've written a post. To be exact, the last entry was about Greyson's first birthday.  Fast forward 23 months to some exciting news in Granna's life.

Greyson proudly announced today that he's having a baby sister & her name just might be Pretzel. No idea which side of the family gets credit for her name.  

Now, back up 15 weeks ~ I received this belated birthday text from Matthew ~ 

Notice the text says "You can't say anything to anyone but....." Does he not know his Momma??? I can't keep a secret for anything...but I did. I didn't tell Papa, Mimi, Jessica ~ not a single solitary soul. And yes, it was just about to kill me. Finally, a few days later, they shared the news with Jessica & a few friends. I suppose they were getting used to the idea of having a second child and wanted to make really sure that indeed the tests were accurate.

Matthew immediately said, "It's a Girl". 

I looked at the Chinese Birth Charts, 

did the "hang a needle from a string over the pregnant woman's wrist", 

loaded about a zillion apps on my phone to determine Baby McQueen's gender 

and even spent $40 on an Intelligender Test.

 (By the way, Gabrielle was way more tolerable of my every antic to determine 

the baby's sex than any daughter in law should be coerced to be!!!)

And all the while, Matthew would quietly say, "It's a Girl". 

Don't know why you are looking up anything to determine the sex ~ "it's a girl" Granna!!! I was secretly wanting Matthew to be right because I know the bond a little girl can have with her Daddy, even when she's 55 years old. There is nothing more than I would ever want for my son but to have a little girl to steal his heart from the very first breath she takes.

This afternoon after the announcement and lunch, I decided to shop for the perfect Feltman Bros. dress for my little princess. I never noticed just how much pink stores carry until today. I was totally overwhelmed and did a Scarlett O'Hara ~ I'll think about that another day.

I could not be happier or more blessed by the news 15 weeks ago and again today. Mommy and Baby Girl are both doing very well and Granna anticipates that Daddy will continue to be the best provider and protector for Greyson and his two favorite ladies.

 BTW, Matthew was right all along ~ 

 "It's a Girl"

Happy Birthday Greyson

You are
...the first born of my first son
...the namesake of both your father & grandfather
...the photogenic one

You have
...had reflux & slept many nights in your car seat or nap nanny
...learned to crawl & laugh & flex your muscles to show how strong you are
...been nicknamed Grey & Bug by your doting parents
...taken your first steps

You love
...looking at books & being read to
...when Mommy or Daddy come home from work
...apples, green peas & potatoes
...being outside

You will
...learn to feed yourself
...celebrate your birthday with family & friends
...say Granna eventually

Granna loves you to the moon & back, Greyson

Happy Birthday Brannan

You are
... the first born of my first born
... born on your great great grandfather Bryant Lightsey's birthday
... the namesake of your great great grandmother Eva Brannan McMillan
... loved by everyone

You have
... been enrolled in Sunday School since you were born
... been dedicated to God by your parents @ Greens Creek Baptist Church
... been vaccinated against polio, measles, mumps & rubella
... had PE tubes inserted in your ears for multiple ear infections
... learned to crawl & laugh & play well with others & repeatedly say "da-da"
... gotten your first tooth

You will
... walk soon, I'm sure
... say "ma-ma" eventually
... learn to feed yourself
... celebrate your 1st birthday with family & friends
... have a sleep-over @ Granna's home (hopefully!!!)

Granna loves you to the moon & back, Baby B~~~

It's been a while!!!

The last time I posted anything, Brannan & Greyson were only 4 months old ~ FOUR ~ now they are approaching 9 months old ~ NINE. That means I've neglected the blog for 5 months but never have I neglected them.

Both have infectious smiles that will melt your heart and each have their own little personality. They will place their arms above their head in hopes of being picked up, both repeatedly say "da-da" even though they may not understand, and both are adored by their parents.

Brannan weighs about 16 lbs 8 oz, sleeps all night long (9:00 pm - 7:00 am), still takes 4 bottles per day and eats baby food 3 times per day. He will sit for hours entertaining himself (his Daddy was that way, I've heard) and absolutely loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Greyson weighs about 18 lbs, sleeps all night long (8:30 pm - 5:30 am), takes 4 bottles per day and eats baby food 3 times per day as well. He does not sit long at all anymore ~ he's been crawling for about a week and got his two bottom teeth at about 6 months.

If only I knew what Brannan was saying to Greyson!!!

The sweetest little hands I love

Mother's Day 2011

I AM BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE

Santa Babies

While Ken & Brenda were home for Thanksgiving, they photographed my most beautiful grandbabies ~ Brannan 3 1/2 months & Greyson 3 months. Each baby has his own unique personality and I hope that they will grow up as best friends (much like Boston & Jackson).
Brannan ~ can't you just squeeze those chubby cheeks?

Greyson ~ love that big smile of his

Greyson & Brannan ~ my special Christmas Angels

Greyson ~ 2 months

I had the opportunity to keep Greyson last Friday, so Mimi and I scheduled an appointment to have his 2-months portraits made. Although I was a tad-bit apprehensive since I had never kept him for any long period, the sitting was quite a success. Greyson wore the white Feltman Bros. suit that Matthew wore for his christening at the First United Methodist Church, Picayune in December, 1983.

He also had portraits made in a yellow Feltman Bros. romper that Mamaw gave to Matthew.

Oh how my life has changed...

Two months ~ that's 61 days ~ how much different can one person's life be after 61 days???

1. I have been a grandmother to two of the most precious baby boys for 61 days.

2. I have changed poopy diapers for 61 days.

3. I have rocked and fed Brannan & Greyson for 61 days.

4. I have watched as four young adults became a little more mature as they evolved into parents for 61 days.

5. I have prayed that God would provide guidance to those four young adults as they provide shelter, nurturing and discipline to those most precious baby boys for 61 days.

6. I have worried when either baby was fussy for 61 days.

7. I have fallen asleep thinking about those precious baby boys for 61 days.

8. I have told everyone I've come in contact with just how happy I am to be Granna to Brannan & Greyson for 61 days.

9. I have watched Mimi & Papa be smitten by those precious baby boys for 61 days.

10. I look with anticipation to all the love, joy and excitement that comes by being the grandmother to the most precious baby boys from day 62 til the end of time.

Cause for Celebration

Today is a very special day ~ my Mother's birthday.

She is...

78 years young

married to the same guy for 59 years

mother of three ~ Robert, Ken & Judi

mother-in-law of two ~ Valerie & Brenda

grandmother of 10 + 5 ~ Jessica, Matthew, Ashley, Erin, Tyler, Julie, Cullen, Taylor, Caroline, & Todd + Benji, Gabrielle, Jamie, Jeffrey & Amber

great-grandmother of 7 ~ Boston, Jackson, Cade, Grant, Harper, Brannan & Greyson

She is the glue that sticks our family to together and all that we are is because of the love she shares with each of us.

Thoughts about Grandparents Day

National Grandparents Day ~ what's up with that? Is is just another holiday that the United States came up with to get another day off from work?

The Facts...
Marian McQuade has been recognized nationally as the founder of National Grandparents Day.

President Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation declaring the first Sunday in September after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day.

A Song for Grandma and Grandpa by Johnny Prill is the official song of National Grandparents Day.

Forget-me-not is the official flower of National Grandparents Day.

Sunday, September 12, 2010 was National Grandparents Day but more importantly, it was my FIRST GRANDPARENTS DAY!!!

The Proof...

Brannan ~ 1 month old

Greyson ~ 2 weeks old

Being Granna to these precious boys has brought enormous joy to me and they are only a few weeks old. I anticipate lots of fun times with Brannan and Greyson. And now, I fully understand just how GRAND life has become since their births.

Brannan & Greyson ~ Best Buds 4-ever

Brannan and Greyson finally got to meet each other tonight @ Greyson's home. While I thought it would be a great idea to have both boys together ~ photo possibilities were endless in my mind ~ my sweet angels didn't get that memo. I remember well the time of the day from about 5 - 7 being called "the witches hour" or "the childrens hour" ~ you know, the time when it seems that babies get fussy and no matter what you try, they are just not happy babies. Add to that, the crazy idea that Granna had of making photographs and Brannan and Greyson both became pretty inconsolable. Thank goodness, both Mommies were very near by and calmed their fears. I am sure there will be ample opportunities for photo shoots ~ probably more than these little boys would prefer ~ but I am confident they will appease me.

My Precious Grandsons

I think they like each other ~
(or will at least tolerate one another)

Mommy, Brannan's getting fussy ~
can I get out now or can you make him stop???

Granna's favorite little boys
Greyson Matthew ~ 1 week old
Brannan John ~ 3 weeks old

Special Delivery @ Forrest General Hospital

Gabrielle & Matthew arrived at Forrest General Hospital early Wedneday morning for the birth of their son, Greyson Matthew McQueen.

After being poked & prodded, Gabrielle settled in for labor ~ epidural administered and resting comfortably.

Matthew and Gabrielle visiting prior to Greyson's birth.
They have no idea just how special their lives are about to become.

Daddy cut the umbilical cord of his newborn son, Greyson, as Dr. Bailey & Mommy watch.

Greyson Matthew McQueen
6 lb. 7 oz. ~ 19 1/2 inches long
6:42 p.m.
August 25, 2010

Mommy holding her new born son as Daddy watches.
First official McQueen family photo.

Daddy & Greyson napping after a long first night.

I'm thinking, I'm thinking, I'm thinking...
about how much I already love Mommy & Daddy.

Daddy's little sea-turtle
don't you just love those big eyes
and that cute little tongue sticking out?

Mommy and Greyson

ready to leave Forrest General Hospital.

Let's Roll, People

I've got my whole life ahead of me.