Made by hand, with love

Our family is surrounded by some very talented people, and we are so fortunate that they share their talents with us! In the last few weeks we have received some very VERY special gifts from family members. I feel completely inadequate when it comes to these kinds of gifts. I wish I was talented enough to create such special treasures for others. Gifts that are made with all the love and thoughtfulness in the world! Our little family appreciates these gifts so so much. We appreciate the hours and hours that were spent adding every little detail. We appreciate that you used you "free time"
(something that I know is hard to come by!) to create a special gift for us. We appreciate the energy you put in. We appreciate you all so much. Thank you (even though "thank you" does not seem like enough!)

First, Cooper's Great Aunt Michele knit him a beautiful blanket, two pairs of booties, and a sweet little hat. He has already tried them out. Thank you Michele! We love them.

Getting in a little tummy time on his new blanket

Second, Cooper's Nana made him a beautiful quilt. We received it at his baby shower back in August, but it belongs in this post as well. It is very special to us. Thank you Nana!

Third, Cooper's Grandpa "Kpa" (aka: my father) finished our amazing dining room table. He even made a matching bench. I had not seen the table since this post. My dad worked incredibly hard to make this table. It is beyond anything I ever could have asked for. We absolutely LOVE it. This will definitely be a family treasure for years and years to come. It will be the center of many holidays and family celebrations...and I'm pretty sure it will make some epic blanket forts. Thank you Kpa, your gift is priceless!

My dad incorporated the 1930's hardware in the details. I love what he did with the pipe hangers on the bench.

This is the top of the bench seat. My dad left the hardware in the seat top and then covered it in a clear epoxy, so it is flush with the surface. So you can't feel the hardware when you sit, but you can still see it. 

Fourth, Cooper's Grandma Mel made him a cradle board. Most of you who read this blog know this, but I will share for those of you who may not. I am Native American (this comes from my mom's side), therefore Cooper is Native American as well (obviously). I love that my mom passed on a very special part of our culture to Cooper. My mom and her friend Claudine handmade this cradle board and baby moccasins from buckskin. (My mom included a post about the cradle board on her blog, here.) Claudine and my mom thoughtfully created the design. Every detail on this board is intentional, it has a story. Claudine and her husband, John, hand beaded every thing on this board. Grandma Mel did a little beading as well. It is an amazing piece of artwork, and will of course be a special part of our family story. Thank you Grandma Mel and Claudine, your gift is amazing!

Grandma Mel carefully putting Cooper in the cradle board

As I said, every detail was intentional. The board tells Cooper's family story. Each eagle feather represents a parent, grandparent, great grandparent, or great great grandparent. The eagle feathers have the birthstone color for each of these people. 

The leaves on the stem of the flower represent the seasons. The top one (which is green and brown) represents fall, the season Cooper was born. 

The horse on the top of the board is a beautifully beaded replica of the horse I had as a girl. His name was Poker. He was a gift to me from one of my Grandpa Mel's friends. He was a gift for my Grandpa's first grandchild. Poker was an amazingly patient horse. There were always kids climbing all over him. He let my cousins and I ride him bareback all the time. Even though he was HUGE he was gentle as can be. We all loved him. 

The little feather on the end of "Layton" represents Cooper. 

The Indian Head nickels are from a necklace that Cooper's Great Great Grandpa Dave made. The necklace was broken, but Grandma Mel saved the nickels for something special.

Cooper must have like his cradle board. He fell fast asleep in it. 

The Pendleton baby blanket he is laying on is a gift from one of Grandma Mel's friends. 

His moccasins are precious as can be too. The bead work on the toes reads "Cooper Layton." I have a pair of baby moccasins that were made for me (my mom has them actually, so I don't have a photo). I think it is so special that my son has a pair now too!

Cooper loves his Grandma Mel!