Alivia Grace
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God chose Alivia to begin this journey of motherhood with me.
Alivia loves reading! She reads at an exceptional speed. Alivia’s teachers in grade school would often share how impressed they were with the amount and speed at which she read. They quizzed her because they didn’t think that she could actually be reading the books that fast. She has high speed and comprehension.
The first thing I did when I found out I was pregnant was to start collecting books to create my baby book library. I love reading! I was eager to read some of the books I loved as a child to my new baby. I wanted my child to love reading.
One of my favorite memories is looking for Alivia and Audrey after bedtime and neither one of them were in their bed. The faint light coming from under Alivia’s closet door gave them away. I found them head to foot lying on their backs next to each other in Alivia’s closet reading books. They both looked up at me with ear to ear smiles on their faces. It was clear this was not the first time they had done this. I thought they were quiet and snoozing away and here they were getting lost in books. I was moved by the moment. It was hard to tell them to get back into bed. I’m pretty sure I gave them some extra time.
Alivia means peace, light, renewal, growth, friendship, and place of rest. When I became pregnant, I also started studying names. I love words and languages. I have several dictionaries in addition to a dictionary app on my phone.
Alivia was born in a suburb of Indianapolis, IN. Her father and I moved there from Chicago. Antonio left investment banking in Chicago at the onset of the market crash and took a finance position in Indianapolis. I loved Indianapolis but longed to be closer to family and friends on the East Coast, especially with a new baby.
Alivia was the ideal baby. So calm! Her cry was always purposeful. It seemed to say “I don’t mean to bother you, but I need something.”
Alivia truly embodies her name. I was familiar with only a few of the meanings when we named her, specifically peace and rest. It doesn’t take long to experience this when spending time with Alivia. Her heart for others is evident! So kind and compassionate! She is a peace maker. Additionally, she is beautiful, quick witted, and full of joy!
We celebrated Alivia‘s first birthday back on the east coast, settling in a Maryland suburb of DC with new and old friends and family.
Alivia was a big sister before she was two. The look on her face when we introduced her to her little sister was absolutely priceless. While she didn’t quite appreciate that moment, their love for each other is deep.
As a new mom back on the east coast, I was within driving distance of my alma mater, Colgate University. Giving back to a sport and school that were a huge part of my formative years while exposing my girls to excellence was a priority. Alivia has been around Colgate and Colgate volleyball since she was a little girl. For many years, we showed up at preseason and got to know the team. We went to practices and shared meals
Alivia is already off shore making her way into the deep while Audrey is with me on the shore
I have introduced her to many sports over the years. I believe that swimming is a life skill and proficiency is essential. We started swim lessons together when she was three months old. As she got older, I shared my vision of being on beaches around the world where there would be no lifeguards. She understood the mission and put the work in! She is a strong swimmer. Alivia loves the ocean. Her comfort in the water stretches me. When I am in the water, jumping waves with her, it is one thing. Watching her from the shore is something else. Too often I’m having to call her in from the deep. When there are lifeguards present, she stretches them, too.
Volleyball has been such a big and transformative part of my experience but I wanted my children to develop a natural affinity for it or any sport. Becoming a great swimmer was essential, I was willing to argue that case. Developing into a competitive swimmer was a choice she made. Playing sports is a transformative experience that is bigger than the sport itself. I had settled in my heart a long time ago that it could be almost any sport.
In a decided instant, during a volleyball event we were attending, I became acutely aware that Alivia wanted to play. It went something like this. We were attending a Colgate Athletic event and during a natural course of conversation Alivia was asked if she played volleyball. Her response floored me, “my mom won’t let me.” In the moment, I got a good chuckle but it moved me into decided action. There would be absolutely no confusion that she had the opportunity to become the best volleyball player she wanted to be. Alivia swam competitively up until one year ago when she decided to focus solely on volleyball.
Alivia loves volleyball. She is making tremendous progress on the court! She is learning the game and developing rapidly. Her improvement trajectory is steep. From week to week she is gaining momentum. Height is an advantage in most sports that you can’t acquire or learn. Alivia is over 6 ft and growing. She is officially taller than me, even in heels.
The team environment is ideal for Alivia and her gifting. Comradery on the court is essential. Alivia is competitive and loves people well. This is a rare combination. She goes above and beyond to keep peace. She is an ideal competitor, teammate, and friend.
Alivia has taught and continues to teach me so much about life. One of my previous mottos has been “what’s love got to do with it.” There is work to be done. Things have to get done, regardless. There’s a difference between a muscling through something and learning to appreciate it for the gift that it is. Shaping and partnering with positive emotion elevates the experience.
Alivia loves pretty things. She is creative and appreciates beauty. I like the intersection of form and function. For Alivia, form wins all day. God loves beauty, too. Alivia is beautiful and radiates joy, especially when she flashes her smile and dimple.
In 2021, I took Alivia back to Indiana for the first time. We drove to the hospital where Alivia was born and I became a mom! We posed for pics outside having visited in the wake of COVID.
Fast forward to Alivia coming of age, learning to drive, and looking into colleges/universities. It is almost time to launch her into this world. I pray that she remembers who she is, that God has a plan and purpose for her life, she seeks him for direction, and that hearing from God is a way of life. I pray she continues to see the inherent value and beauty in mankind. I pray that she continues to bring her desires and expectations to God and knows that she is loved greatly. I pray that God continues to give her the visions and dreams to see beyond perceived limitations and she perseveres.
The greatest gift that I can give to her is to introduce her to her heavenly father, model what it looks like to live in relationship with Him, and encourage her to learn His voice and develop a personal relationship with Him. I am so grateful to experience this journey with Alivia.