My World has Changed!

Most of you know that our youngest daughter Jess has been pregnant! We knew it was a boy, and until a few days before he was born, we affectionately called him "Kiwi" as his name was a secret. (Read the original story here).

The forecast in the Blue Ridge Mountains called for a pretty significant snow storm, so I headed out to their house about 4 days before the due date so I could make sure I would make it.  Kiwi decided he would wait....and wait, through several more snow storms and COLD temperatures! 

A few days before Kiwi came, since both Brad's Dad and I were there, Brad and Jess decided to announce to us his name.  They took us into the nursery and had the name on the wall! Kiwi was named after Brad's Grandfather, Joseph, and Jess' Grandfather (My Dad) Harvey.  What an honor!! I was amazed at how emotional I instantly became....

Brad's Dad, Bob; Brad, Jess and Me!

Here is Jess at 40 weeks, on February 20th.

After quite a delay and several snow storms, our Grandson Joseph Harvey made his entrance on March 2, at 9:22 pm.  He weighed in at 6 lbs 11 ounces and a whopping 20-1/2 inches long!!

Again....I became emotional! I knew Jess was all grown up, she has been married an living over 300 miles away for nearly 7 years!! But something came over me when I saw "MY BABY" with a baby!! Everything changed for me at the moment he was born.  I was right there when he came, and yet I still could not believe it. My heart must have grown at least 2 sizes. 

He turned toward her when she started talking to him, and as she talked to him and stroked him, he gently fell asleep!
<3  So Very Sweet! <3

So bear with me, as a member of the Gammaw Club, you will have to endure the many pictures of the newest member of this wonderful family!

Look at these adorable tiny feet...

Gammaw with Little Joseph!

There isn't a prouder Daddy!

After a couple of days, during yet ANOTHER snow storm, they got to bring Joseph home to meet the rest of the family.....2 cats, Hero and Otto, and Gwen Dog!

He is already wearing bow ties...."making Daddy proud" as Jess says.

And just like that, a BEAUTIFUL family is born!

I reluctantly had to get back to 'real life' and say goodbye, but hopefully I will be returning soon!

Here he is at a week old, he has already changed!!!

So Sweet!!

::Hugs::

YES...There is a Doctor in the house!!

I hope your dreams take you to the corners of your smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever known.  ~Author Unknown

We spent an amazing day in Blacksburg Virginia at Virginia Tech and the   Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM), watching our daughter graduate as a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)!! She graduated in the top 25% of her class which earned her a place in the National Veterinary Honor Society, Phi Zeta.."recognizes high scholarship, stands for constant advancement of the veterinary profession, and promotes research in matters pertaining to the welfare and diseases of animals."

No, we're not proud...not at all!! :)  She graduated with a 3.699999!!! From Vet School!! 

She has wanted this since she was about 5 years old, and every job, volunteer or paid has been toward that goal. She has never wavered or  questioned it, even through the tough classes and rotations during her internships. She starts a new job on July 1st as a Veterinarian at a clinic in Roanoke. I cannot express to you how proud I am!

Here she is with her hood ( it is unofficial at this point, but she has to wear it to the Main VT graduation)

When she graduated from undergrad, we all noted the DVM graduates in their fancy gowns and what I called 'Pillows' on their heads, she said then that would soon be her, and she would have a 'pillow' on her head!  She even sent me a preview earlier this week with her very own pillow on her head!

Jess' "pillow"

Bob, Jess' father in law and I decided we would make enough food to keep the 10 people in our party happy and fed during the day's events, and we had a great time, he also had a cake custom made for her that we decorated with animals!!

 We had two graduation ceremonies and a reception to go to during the day....the main VT ceremony was to be at noon with a reception for the Vet School at 4:30 then the Vet School graduation, hooding ceremony at 7:00.

VT main graduation in the football stadium

Here she is taking our picture!!

Here we are in the crowd (yellow circle)!

The DVM graduates with their gloves blown up!

Jess in front of the Vet School prior to the VMRCVM reception

Jess with hubby Brad (Teacher of the year this year at Blacksburg High School!!!)

Here is Hubby, Jess and I......So proud!!! 

(L to R) Bob (Brad's Dad), Jess, Brad and Matt (Brad's Brother)

The DVM and Teacher of the Year!!

With Brad's Grandma, Elizabeth

Jess' Dad, Tim  and Ree in front of the new addition of the Vet School

Between the reception and the Vet School ceremony, Jess took us on a tour of the Vet School hospital, we got to see the new addition also!

We believe this is a dolphin, (or whale)

One of the operating rooms! Very cool!!

After the reception and the tour we headed over to the Vet School Ceremony where it all became 'Official'!

Jess just received her hood

Taking her oath

Bob, Brad and Jess looking at her certificate of DVM!!

Yes!! There is now a Doctor in the house!!!...And I'm the Mother of a Doctor!!! :D

It was a wonderful day for us all, Jess has worked her whole life for this and now gets to do what she has always wanted! She is such an exceptional person and I have no doubt she will excel and be the best Vet there ever was!! Congratulations to you Baby Girl! You have done it!! Now it's time to relax and enjoy!!

Bob and Stacey, (Brad's parents) are taking them to Nappa Valley CA for a few days to celebrate with some wine tasting. When Brad's School is out, we are taking the Doctor and Teacher of the year to a much deserved vacation to Sanibel Island for 2 weeks in June, where they can just sit back with their feet in the sand and turn off those amazing brains for a while!!

I know this is a LONG post, but I am so proud!!

::Hugs::

Cheri

Happy Third Wedding Anniversary... July 19, 2008!!!

Love one another and you will be happy.  It's as simple and as difficult as that.  ~Michael Leunig

It is really hard for me to believe that it has already been 3 years since Brad and Jess were married!! 


How time flies....it started speeding up my freshman year of high school, and continues to soar right on by!! According to my nearly 85 year old Dad, it just continues to pick up speed!!


Jess and Brad have been married 3 years ago today (July 19)!! I'm posting this early because it is already July 19th in India, where Jess is!! Their life has been one adventure after another, it survived a long distance relationship with Jess going away for 4 years to college, then they got married and the adventures continue with her in Vet School, buying houses and life in general....he had to  become a Virginia Tech Hokie, (even though he graduated, and got his masters at Christopher Newport University in Newport News!!) He moved to Blacksburg and now teaches History at Blacksburg High School, and is the lead coach of the debate team....all the while wearing his maroon and orange Hokie colors!! He even got to travel to China on a Fulbright scholarship from Virginia Tech....during their last anniversary!!


We sure are proud of you two, and the life (and the adventures) that are built into your life together!! We continue to follow your many adventures with our chests stuck out like proud parents do!!  Here's to more fun adventures and a life filled with Lots of Love and Understanding!! 

I couldn't resist, had to play with the software and make you guys a little video of your own!! Enjoy!! We Love you Both!!

::Hugs::


~Mom