Sachs Press

Dear Grandma,

Isaac asked me if I would write to you for him this evening, since he was tired and needed to go to bed. So I agreed. He really enjoys writing letters to you, but I’m sure you’ll appreciate a mother’s perspective for a change.

We’ve had an interesting week. We did a few fun special things together, like a walk with a friend on Friday, and my mother came to visit on Tuesday and enjoyed playing with Isaac. (He enjoyed it, too.) We’ve also spent some time outside this week, as the weather has been lovely and warm. Our daffodils are blooming beautifully, and I brought a vase of them in to grace our table. The pansies I planted last fall (I bought them at the Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale) are blooming nicely, too. Mom helped me clean up a couple of the flower beds when she was here. Perhaps I should say, I helped her–she did most of the work! I was also able to hang my cloth diapers out on the line several times this week, which has the added bonus of bleaching them nice and white.

Tonight it’s raining hard, which means Greg will need to mow the lawn soon. He spent all last Saturday with a chipper-shredder, getting rid of the piles of branches in our garden. We’ll also need to till the garden so we can plant it! I bought seeds the last time I was at the grocery store, and I plan to start them in flats inside, because it’s time, and the garden isn’t ready yet. I am excited to have a garden again. I’m especially looking forward to fresh tomatoes and zucchini.

What I’ve been focusing on this week with Isaac is his sleeping. He’s never liked to take naps, except for his first two weeks which were pretty much all sleeping. And sometimes he does very well at night, only waking up once, and other times he is up two or three times. Now, I realize that even three times is better than four or five, but I’d prefer just one wake up at night! So I bought a book about sleeping that someone recommended to me, and I am keeping track of how he sleeps this week. A pattern is starting to form, so it will be interesting to see how that develops as time goes by and as I try some of the suggestions in the book. I still keep him wrapped when he is sleeping, because then he doesn’t wake himself up as much. Greg can wrap him much better than I can–he is so good at wriggling out!

He is up to almost 12 pounds now, and we have gotten out his three-month-old outfits. He will be three months in just a few days! It’s kind of hard to believe that he is not a newborn anymore. And I still remember so clearly being pregnant with him–and the first few times I felt him moving… what an amazing, joyful experience! I remember lying in bed during the summer, almost holding my breath, waiting to feel a little poke before I fell asleep. And when I did, oh! I could hardly contain my happiness.

Now I can hardly contain my happiness when I watch him sleep, or when he smiles at me, or coos or gurgles in his own funny way. I feel so blessed to have such a child! There are some rough times, to be sure, but although they are frustrating, I know that they are just another part of this parenting business, and it would be mighty strange if nothing ever went wrong. I can’t very well express how this all makes me feel, but you are a mother, and I am sure you know. It isn’t something you can explain very well, is it?

So I am gradually starting to get more things done during the day, doing little projects that can be finished while Isaac naps, keeping the kitchen clean–the rest of the house suffers, but my kitchen is clean! And if my kitchen is clean, I can live with the rest of it!–and starting to make better suppers again. (We were eating frozen meals out of the freezer for a long time!) It helps now that Isaac goes to bed pretty early–a little after seven, these days. That might even become earlier, as he seems to be tired even before seven. But anyway, we have been eating after he goes to bed, so supper doesn’t get interrupted any more.

Well, I have a couple of things to do, and then I must go to bed, too. I never know exactly when Isaac will wake me up! I heard that Mom and Dad came to visit you this week, and read Isaac’s letters. I was glad to hear you had an enjoyable visit with them.

With much love, hugs and kisses, and a smile from Isaac,

April

Dear Great-Grandma Faye,

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! I heard that was this week. I don’t know much about it, though, except there were lots of people wearing green when we went out. Oh, I’m getting ahead of myself, aren’t I?

Let’s see, I wrote to you on Wednesday last week, so I should start on Thursday. I don’t think I did anything very special on Thursday, but Daddy went to his jazz rehearsal in the evening and they gave him a nice present that Mommy and Daddy used to buy something on Saturday. Oh, I do remember now, Aunt Sarah was here again for a little while and played with me while Mommy made supper. On Friday she stopped in around lunchtime to say goodbye before heading home to Mississippi. And it also snowed! It was really pretty and Mommy and Daddy were so surprised. But I knew it was coming–my left big toe told me. No, I’m just kidding, I didn’t really expect it but I wasn’t particularly surprised either. Anyway, it was pretty warm and the snow was melting as it was coming down, but it was snowing so hard that the snow got ahead of the melting and it climbed up to about two inches. I didn’t get to go play in it.

On Saturday Daddy was home. I always like it when he is home. Mommy does too, I think. And guess what! We all got to go shopping. I missed part of it because I fell asleep. Why does that always happen to me? We do the most interesting things and I just fall asleep. Rats.

Anyway, they bought something really fun for me with the present from the jazz people: a jogging stroller! Daddy and I have been out twice now with it, and we both enjoy it a lot. Daddy says it makes him feel really good, and I just like bouncing along and looking at the world. And spending time with Daddy.

They also bought me some bigger onesies because I am growing out of my little ones. I’m so proud! I am getting bigger every day, and I just can’t wait till I’m big enough to wrestle with Daddy. It seems like it is taking forever, though.

On Sunday we went to church, but I missed part of the sermon because I just got really hungry and I needed a snack. And then we went to Sunday School, but I was still hungry so I missed a bunch of that too. But then we went to a potluck afterwards, and there were a whole bunch of babies there, and people gave all of us babies each a present, these magnetic letters that spell our names and stick to a board that we can hang in our rooms or on our doors. Mine says “I S A A C” and then a basketball. I guess they had to fill up the extra space because there’s no basketball in my name.

And then after the potluck we went home for a while, and then we went to somebody’s house and I helped Daddy play cards. I sat on his lap and pointed out which ones he should play. I think we won. And then we went home again and then we went to somebody else’s house again! I was getting really tired by that point so actually I don’t really remember any more, but Mommy says I just slept on the sofa the whole time and didn’t even wake up when it was time to go home. I guess they played more games but boy, I was all played out.

On Monday morning I woke Mommy and Daddy up at 6:00 and Daddy took me out for a stroller ride. Mommy slept in. Then in the evening they took me out to pick out a couple of toys at the store. I got a dragonfly rattle and a sea horse rattle. I like the sea horse one better right now because it is easier to hold on to. I am getting better at holding onto things but sometimes I let go and then it’s nice if it sort of stays in my hand so I can grab it again, and that’s what the sea horse rattle does. I think it’s pretty neat, and sometimes I can even get it in my mouth to see what it tastes like.

Also on Monday I got to start wearing a different kind of diaper. I think I like them better. They are softer and more comfortable. Mommy says they are “cloth” and that they will be a lot more work but less expensive and better for the environment. I don’t know what the environment is but I’m glad it’s better. Anyway, I like them. I am also glad that Mommy and Daddy are not using pins on the diapers. I wouldn’t like to have pins always so near me. I think that would be a little scary. Instead I wear a plastic cover with a little pocket for the diaper, and the cover velcros shut. No pins!

And today not too much happened. I slept in till 8:00 so I didn’t get a stroller ride, but maybe I’ll wake them up early tomorrow. Oh, Daddy did get to take care of me for a while this evening while Mommy was away. She had to go be on a committee. I’m not sure what that is. Something about a church yard sale. Why would the church sell their yard? Don’t they want it?

I am sending you a picture Mommy took of me today. See how strong I am getting! You can also sort of see my dragonfly in the background, and also a silly little zebra that Grandma bought for me. It’s the one I brought when I came to visit you. The nice quilt I am laying on was a gift from a lady at church.

It’s past my bedtime again! Mommy is very nice to let me stay up and write these letters. I am so glad she helps me write to you. It’s nice to tell you all about what I am doing.

Love,

Isaac

Dear Great-Grandma,

Well! Have I ever had a week! Well, first of all, I went to Grandma and Grandpa’s house this weekend. Daddy had to go to Pennsylvania so Mommy took me to their house. I missed Daddy, but I had a lot of fun with Grandma and Grandpa! Grandpa sang to me a lot and played with me, and me and Mommy and him all went for a walk on Saturday and another one on Sunday. And Grandma got up at 6:00 on Sunday morning and held me and rocked me so Mommy could go back to sleep. Oh, I got to sleep in the crib that Mommy slept in when she was my age! That was fun. And then Sunday evening Daddy got dropped off by his friends and we all had supper together, except me, I guess. Grandma is a good cook, says Mommy. I guess I get it secondhand but I think it is pretty good too.

Monday was not such a great day. I had to go to the doctor, and they gave me shots in my legs! It hurt, and I cried! But then I went to sleep and slept for two hours, and all afternoon and all evening whenever I woke up Mommy put me right back to sleep, and then I slept all night too. So then I felt better the next day. It was nice of Mommy to hold me all day long. I think she felt bad that I had to get shots, although she explained why I had to. Oh, also, I now weigh 10 pounds and 6 ounces, and I am 23 and a half inches long! I am getting to be so big now!

On Tuesday Mommy and I went on a walk to the bank. It was a really nice day out and I stayed awake for most of the walk and looked around at everything. The nice ladies at the bank thought I was really cute, and I smiled at them. Then on Tuesday evening my Aunt Sarah came to visit me! She lives in Mississippi and she drove all the way up with her friend Amber, just to see me! Oh, Mommy says there were a couple other people she wanted to see, but that I was pretty important too.

And today, Wednesday, Aunt Sarah came and spent the afternoon with me and Mommy. She played with me and took me on another walk but I fell asleep for that one. And I don’t know what Mommy did! What would she do without me? Oh, she says she got to clean the house, and that made her very happy. I don’t know why she would rather clean the house than play with me, but I had fun with Aunt Sarah, so that’s all right.

So it’s been a pretty exciting week. Oh, I also got to see my friend Ethan. He is four weeks older than me, and his Mommy brought him over to say hi yesterday. It was nice to see him again. He is getting very big and he has very long red hair! I think he looks funny! I like my hair better. I think it might be growing a little bit, but I’m not sure.

It’s my bedtime, so I am going to go get ready now and have one last snack before I go to sleep. I love you, Great-Grandma! Here’s a kiss for you and one for Great-Grandpa Al, too!

Love,

Isaac

Dear Great-Grandma Faye,

Tonight I get to type my letter to you! Mommy helps me find the letters and then I punch them down. It’s a lot easier than trying to hold a pen. Mommy is also helping me with my spelling because that’s still kind of hard for me.

I have had an interesting week. On Tuesday night I went to a party! In fact, it was a party for me! The men that Daddy sings with had a get-together and brought their families. Everybody brought a dish to eat and I am told that it was very yummy, although they didn’t even let me eat the cake. But that’s okay, Mommy fed me good food, and that was just what I wanted anyway. While Mommy and Daddy were eating, some other nice people held me and I smiled and smiled at then, at least until I got hungry myself, and then I asked very politely if I could please go back to Mommy, so they let me. 

After everybody ate, the people gave Mommy and Daddy some presents. One was a nice warm white hat for me. Another was a beautiful patchwork blanket. Great-Grandma, I have so many blankets that I should never, ever be chilly! It’s a nice warm feeling to have so many blankets. I think maybe they also gave Mommy and Daddy some money, but I’m not sure. They didn’t show me that part.

And after that, the men all sang together, while Daddy held me. I liked listening to Daddy sing. They sang a bunch of songs, but one of them was about a Prodigal Son. I think they did that on purpose. Great-Grandma, what does Prodigal mean? Mommy won’t tell me.

Grandma visited me on Saturday, and we had a great day. It was lots of fun to be able to play with her and have her hold me and put me to sleep for the night. I get to see her again this weekend, and Grandpa too. Mommy and I are going to spend the weekend at their house while Daddy goes to some place in Pennsylvania and sings with those men that he sings with. We’re going to miss him, but we’ll have fun at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

I have been smiling so much lately, Grandma. Next time I write I will send you a picture of me smiling. It’s fun to smile. Mommy and Daddy get so excited and they talk and laugh and smile back at me! So, smiling is definitely worth it, when I feel up to it. It’s also fun to talk to them, although I’m not really sure what I’m saying yet.

Oh, something else that happened to me this week is that a little girl came to my house and played with my toys. That was okay with me because I’m not really playing with them very much yet, although I like to look at them. She was the daughter of one of Mommy’s friends, and she’s about eight months older than me, so someday I’ll probably play with her, but not just yet. She got to ride the rocking-horse that used to belong to Grandpa! Apparently he had it when he was a little boy, and Mommy and Uncle Darren rode it when they were little, and now Grandma brought it to our house and Daddy put it together again and someday I’ll get to ride it. It’s sitting in our living room right now.

Well, I will write to you again next week and tell you all about my trip this weekend.  I love you, Great-Grandma! Mommy sends her love too!

Yours very sincerely,

Isaac