271 days ago, I received the most beautiful flowers with a note that read: My mommy says you’re her very best friend and I can’t wait to be your best friend too. -Baby Etheridge coming July 6, 2018 (The pregnancy announcement video shows my full on freak out as I read that note. Around 14 weeks, Hopi’s doctor moved her due date up to June 29 because she was measuring ahead. Well, June 29 came and went. July 6 also came and went. The following week came and Hopi, Andy and Dr. Sherman, had to decide on a game plan since Baby Grayson had decided that this was “his world and we’re all just living in it.” <—Hopi
To take a look back at Hopi and Andy’s journey watch this: Pregnancy Announcement 😭💙👶🏻
After almost 5 years and a 40 week and 6 day pregnancy, Hopi, Andy, Brent and Aiden’s wish finally came true! A sweet baby for Hopi and Andy and a baby brother for the boys. A 9 pound, 20 inch long perfect, baby brother.
Y’all, Allison from Emily Michelle Photography is insanely talented. Go ahead and grab the tissues, and here is Baby Grayson's Birth Video! 💙👶🏻
Below, you will find the letter I started writing the day of Baby Grayson’s gender reveal.
Dear Sweet Grayson,
I started this letter to you on the very day I found out you were Grayson Michael and not SGE. 💙
First of all, I want you to know that we prayed so hard for you. Like prayed harder for you than I think we have prayed for most things. The day your momma and Uncle Russ coordinated to tell me you were going to exist, was literally one of the best days of my life.
Next, I think you need to know you have an incredible extended family on both sides. You’ll see for yourself. You have more aunts, uncles and cousins than you’ll know what to do with. As a whole, we’re not really a traditional family. You have steps and halves and wholes of most family titles. We have a this side and that side and sides to those sides, friends who are FAMILY and more aunts and uncles by love, not just blood. Family is family, and we will all love you wholly and always be there for you.
As you grow up, you may think oh man, some of these people (😳🙋🏻♀️) are CRA-ZY and you’ll be right and while you’re a teenager you may even be embarrassed a bit, but as you grow up, you’ll be so grateful for each one them. You may think, holy cow-they talk SO loud and at the SAME time. Don’t worry, you’ll figure out how to communicate with us. It may take you a bit, like it did Uncle Russ.
You have a Mawmaw and a PawPaw who even before they knew you were you, prayed for you and will love all the days of their lives.
There’s one special lady, I’d like to believe gave God a little nudge to go on and send you to your momma and daddy. Heaven knows she cried plenty of tears and prayed so many prayers as your parents struggled to conceive you. You just think that rest of us are loud, your Kay Kay topped us all.
You have the best big brothers who are so different and such loving people. They’re 5 and 7 years older than you, so you’ll never have to worry about going at it all alone or about anyone messing with you because they’ll always have your back.
...and just let me tell ya about your momma and daddy. They’re pretty incredible people. I don’t have to tell you that though-you’ll feel their love every day for the rest of your life. Your daddy is hard working and protective and fiercely loyal. He will make sure you have everything you need and most things you want. Your momma is resilient and faithful and selfless and my very best friend. She’ll put you and your brothers before herself and will always have your best interest in mind.
As for Uncle Russell and Man Man, you won’t see us as much as we/you would like, but you’ll never doubt for one second how much we love you. We can’t wait for you to come visit us in Central Texas! Your brothers LOVE visiting out here, and we know you will too! In the meantime, I’ll be the extra loud lady who keeps yelling through FaceTime at you and comes to Beaumont every chance I get. 😉
This past weekend, Uncle Russell and I made the trek to Beaumont to visit! Below are pictures from Uncle Russell’s first time holding Baby Grayson! 
No comments:
Post a Comment