I made a little vintage dress...

...for Hannah Frances.  It was Simplicity pattern #2629, "Baby's Vintage Layette." 

In 2008, when Grace was one year old, I made her some little outfits. It was a joy to make this little vintage dress and petticoat for Hannah. It will probably be the first many more "little outfits."

I gave it to Jackie and Adam yesterday when we met them at the Franklin Steak House for lunch. 

We were celebrating Jackie's birthday.  It was modest this year because Jackie is very pregnant and more focused on Hannah's birthday than on her own.

Rob and Kathryn gave her the complete "Jurassic Park" series on DVD. She and Adam almost jumped with joy when they opened it.  It was a new one for their collection.  They will enjoy the many additional scenes that didn't make it into the movies as they wait for Hannah to make her debut.  (Did I mention that Rob's face is full of hair?  He is growing his "baby beard" reminiscent of the beard he wore when expecting Grace.  I wish I had taken a picture of him.)

 And, I gave her the book "Little Knitted Creatures" with new sets of knitting and crochet needles to inspire some small projects that she can tackle when her leisure time becomes less available in a couple of weeks (welcome Hannah).

Making donuts in the morning, enjoying a birthday lunch in the afternoon, seeing Adam, Jackie, Kathryn, Rob and Grace all on the same day - LIFE IS GOOD. ;-)

Robert...

...is a loving son.  I missed him today when he stopped by.  I was out having lunch with retired friends and picking up medication for Rufus at Dr. Crupi's office.

Back at home, I found a red envelope on the dining room table addressed to "Mom" in his handwriting and checked the hallway to see if his mail was gone, just to be sure he had actually been there.  Immediately sorry that I had missed his impromptu visit, I opened the envelope and chuckled in good humor and amazement at the Valentine he chose for me. A sewing machine sits on a table in a wall-papered room. A chain of hearts is in progress through the machine.  A plaque on the wall reads, "For Mom With Sew Much Love." It's an amazingly appropriate scene for me.  Inside, I read, "When I was a kid, you always did everything with love. And I still feel that same gentle love threading through my life today - reminding me what a remarkable, caring mom you've always been. Happy Valentine's Day. Love, Bobby."

I cannot stop weeping. I pray that my son is rewarded with the love of his children well into their adult years.  I wish the same for every mom and dad today, Valentine's Day.

I love you, Bob.

                                                       Rob and Kathryn January 2011