Little Smocked Dresses

I was the first grandchild born on my Mom's side and my Dad's side.  I was also the first girl born on my Dad's side.  You see, my Dad's Mom, my Grandma, had two sons.  (My Dad has since told me that she always wanted a little girl, and when he and my Mom had me, she was simply over the moon with excitement!)  If I wasn't spoiled, she was going to spoil me!

My Grandma Lauchman was an amazing woman.  She could cook anything that you could think of and it would always turn out better than you could imagine.  Her garden always had the most beautiful flowers and vegetables and butterflies.  Her piano playing was stellar and her sewing was absolutely stunning. 

She hand-smocked dress after beautiful dress for her granddaughter (me!).  Some took weeks and I would imagine that some even took months to sew completely.  While it was hard for me to appreciate such a treasure at such a young age, I certainly appreciate it now.  Especially expecting a little girl of our own.

Over the last several weeks, I've washed, spot treated, and washed again these 30+ year old dresses.  The very same dresses that I wore as a wee one with the sole intention that our little girl will be able to enjoy such masterpieces as well.  I know that she won't understand how meaningful these dresses are when she is wearing them, but knowing that I can one day show her photos of her beautiful self in these beautiful dresses that her beautiful Great Grandmother hand smocked for her Mother when she was just a babe is so amazing!  I will tell her everything she wants to know about her Great Grandma, and I will do so with the same amount of love and joy that this post brings me.

I wish it were easier for our little girl to meet her Great Grandmother.  She is currently living in a nursing home in Salisbury, NC suffering from dymentia.  Brian and I had the fortunate opportunity to stop by on the way home from the beach and see her.  I told her that we were having a little girl and that I hoped that she would be able to meet her one day.  I know in my heart that that may not come to pass, but being able to keep a little piece of my Grandma with me through these dresses and pass them down to our little girl means so much to me.

She would love you, sweet girl, just like she loved me.

Click this photo for a serious blast from the past!