Once upon a time there was the sweetest little Niece who used to follow her Auntie around the garden full of wonder and curiosity. Her Auntie could see even then that one day her Niece would have a garden of her very own.
The Niece soon grew up. Her love of gardening continued. She even attended Chicago's agricultural high school and became valedictorian of her graduating class. She became a beautiful young woman with a generous, kind, loving heart.
Off to college she went. Before we knew it, she'd graduated, and one day awhile later, she married her college sweetheart, a young man who'd grown up on a farm not too far away from her own great-great grandparents' farm, then studied horticulture in college, and soon embarked upon his horticultural career.
And one fine day a few weeks ago, the Niece and her husband welcomed a new little gardener into the family, Ms. Liliana Lee.
Our new little gardener had a bit of a rough start in life. Having been born a few weeks early, her lungs weren't quite ready and she had a hard time breathing. The Niece and her husband had to leave her in the hospital for a while until her lungs were more mature and she was able to breathe and eat on her own.
Thankfully our new little gardener is doing wonderfully well, and was able to come home to celebrate her first Christmas with her grateful parents.
And the Niece, her husband, and the new little gardener lived happily ever after, growing and blooming in a garden of their very own.
The Niece soon grew up. Her love of gardening continued. She even attended Chicago's agricultural high school and became valedictorian of her graduating class. She became a beautiful young woman with a generous, kind, loving heart.Off to college she went. Before we knew it, she'd graduated, and one day awhile later, she married her college sweetheart, a young man who'd grown up on a farm not too far away from her own great-great grandparents' farm, then studied horticulture in college, and soon embarked upon his horticultural career.
And one fine day a few weeks ago, the Niece and her husband welcomed a new little gardener into the family, Ms. Liliana Lee.
Our new little gardener had a bit of a rough start in life. Having been born a few weeks early, her lungs weren't quite ready and she had a hard time breathing. The Niece and her husband had to leave her in the hospital for a while until her lungs were more mature and she was able to breathe and eat on her own.
Thankfully our new little gardener is doing wonderfully well, and was able to come home to celebrate her first Christmas with her grateful parents.
And the Niece, her husband, and the new little gardener lived happily ever after, growing and blooming in a garden of their very own.
Oh Linda, what a sweet post! And I'm so happy to hear that the new little gardener is doing so well and was able to come home for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteAmy
This is so beautifully written! And in that first photo, she resembles her aunt! I keep hoping I've passed the gardening gene to my daughters. So far, no real sign...
ReplyDeleteBrenda
How sweet, Linda! She has to be the cutest little "reindeer" I've ever seen. I'm glad she is thriving; these are the best "blooms" in the garden:)
ReplyDeleteThe reindeer outfit is just precious, and she seems happy and strong in the yellow onesie photo.
ReplyDelete~ Monica
Congrats to the niece on the birth of the newest little gardener! And I bet Auntie will welcome her into the world of gardening just like she did the mom.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your great niece Linda! Glad she is doing well & home with her parents now. Great post today.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, Such a sweet story! The newest gardener is surely a cutie:) I had a similar situation when my son was born 4 wks. early. He weighed 7lbs. 3oz. so if he'd have waited another 4 wks. I was told he'd have been 10lbs! Anyway, his lungs were not developed fully either, and he wasn't crying & was a bit gray at birth. They actually had to call a code and got him breathing, then whisked him to the NICU. There he stayed for 8 full days...He was born Dec. 20th...so you can imagine what that Christmas was like for us! I had to pump milk & my husband had to run it to the hospital. Finally the day came when I could actually hold him, and they let me nurse. He took right to it immediately. A few days later, we were able to take him home, and my daughter (age 8 at the time) was finally able to hold him:) He is now 12 yrs old (just had his birthday) and has no problems whatsoever. I am so happy that your neices little girl will be fine, and all it took was a few days in the NICU. It's actually a fairly commond scenario, I suppose...but it is SCARY for the parents...not knowing how serious things are at the time, waiting & praying they can take that baby home. I was worried he would die...so I'm sure your neice was too, at least at some point:(
ReplyDeleteHave a Happy New Year:)
Jan
A great story with a great ending... beautiful baby and beautiful momma. It will be interesting to see how she loves to garden like her parents and aunt!
ReplyDeleteMeems
Dear Linda,
ReplyDeleteA delightful story...and a beautiful little girl. She will follow you around the garden, someday and you will have a wonderful time. I don't think they could have had a better Christmas present then this sweetie pie.
Happy New Year Linda!
Gail
What a sweet story. That new little gardener sure is a cutie! It's hard to have premature babies, I've had two of them. I'm glad she was able to get out of the hospital to spend Christmas with her family.
ReplyDeleteCongrats great Auntie on the newest little gardener. I'm so happy she's recovered from her ordeal. I have a new little gardener as well and can't wait to get outside with her this summer.
ReplyDeleteYour niece is very cute as well.
Lovely story and terrific little outfits - she's an absolute charmer. Congratulations to everyone in the family.
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy! We're very grateful she's doing so well.
ReplyDeleteThank you Brenda! It's fun to see some striking resemblances between baby pictures through the generations.
Thank you Rose! Isn't that just the cutest little outfit!
We're all very relieved she's doing so well.
Hi Monica, after seeing pictures with all the tubes and wires at first, it's a joy to see her so alert, strong, and smiling!
Thank you Tina. I'll be looking forward to that.
Thank you Racquel!
Hi Jan, what you went through with your son sounds so similar. What a relief that everyone's doing so well now after those stressful and scary beginnings.
Happy New Year!
Thank you Meems. One thing we know for sure - if she doesn't end up a gardener, it won't be for lack of exposure!
Thanks Gail! I'll be looking forward to that!
Happy New Year!
Thanks Cinj! I think she's adorable, and I'm not a bit biased! ;)
I remember reading about your experiences with your babies. It would tough under any circumstances, but to have to deal with that kind of stress right after giving birth. . . you've got to dig pretty deep to get through that - takes a lot of strength!
Thanks Carolyn/Grandma! :0
I'm so happy for you! Your new little granddaughter is beautiful.
Thank you Barbara. Isn't she a little doll!
Dear Linda, what a wonderful story!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your niece, what a beautiful little baby girl.
Lovely photos and thank you for sharing this with us. LOLove Tyra
I'm sitting here with a big grin.
ReplyDeleteNot all babies have such delightful, heart-warming smiles.
Have a very happy new year, Linda - you and all your family.
Hope 2009 turns out to be brilliant.
Lucy
Linda, what a cutie pie your niece is! Good luck and congratulations to everyone!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tyra. Isn't she precious!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lucy. After all she's been through, it's so heartwarming to see her spirit shining through that sweet smile.
Happy New Year to you and your family too. I hope it's a happy, healthy 2009.
Thank you Sherri. We are so happy to have her!
This is such a heart-warming post. She is adorable, especially in her reindeer outfit! Thanks for sharing her with us!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim, She looks so cozy in her reindeer outfit!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for my Niece and her husband.
Oh, too cute! I love that reindeer outfit.
ReplyDelete