Dear Diary by Lily Dragonquill
SlightlyTookish · 1 January 2006 · Chapter 18: 24. Astron 1369
This is a lovely story, and I'll be sad to see it end. Your Primula is a wonderful mother. He is the one who makes me and my little family complete. Awww!
Author's reply
Believe me, I shall be very sad as well. I enjoyed "being" the mother and see Frodo grow through her eyes.
shirebound · 1 January 2006 · Chapter 18: 24. Astron 1369
What a warm, loving story. I'm always so happy to see a new chapter appear.
Author's reply
The warm, loving story is slowly coming to an end, I fear. I'm very glad you're enjoying this, dear.
Larner · 23 November 2005 · Chapter 17: 14. Rethe 1369
Aha, quite the pair of Bagginses here, both charming and loving the woman of their hearts. And am glad that a night of pleasure is in view for the two parents.
Author's reply
Thank you! I just had to show Primula as a woman again... not only a mother.
Andrea · 23 November 2005 · Chapter 17: 14. Rethe 1369
"O, those Bagginses and their smiles! I just cannot resist them." - Me, too :) If Primula had had the chance to see her little boy growing up, she would have recognized a lot of herself in him. There is definitely the Baggins-stubbornness (English is amazing: double b, double n and double s in one word). But he has also inherited the charm of the Brandybucks - and their pride ;-)
Author's reply
You are quite right with your descriptions, at least when I look at future chapters of Schicksalsjahre eines Hobbits where Frodo will finally be descriped again :)
shirebound · 23 November 2005 · Chapter 17: 14. Rethe 1369
Ohhhh, "my dear little star asleep"... *melts* The joyful smile on my husband's face and my son's peaceful expression are all a woman can wish for. In the fire's flickering light, they are the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. *sigh* What a loving, sweet story this is.
Author's reply
I seldomly write as peaceful scenes as this one, but I must admit, I like it :)
SlightlyTookish · 23 November 2005 · Chapter 17: 14. Rethe 1369
I love your baby Frodo, he's so sweet and adorable. I also enjoyed Primula's speculation about who Frodo will look like when he gets older, and also if he will behave more like a Baggins or a Brandybuck. That's something I imagine mothers must wonder :)
Author's reply
Thank you, dear. Yes, I definitely think a mother would wonder about that. I miss thinking like a mother for I have recently finished the last chapter of "Dear Diary"... but don't worry... there are still 4 to come :)
Andrea · 5 November 2005 · Chapter 16: 9. Solmath 1369
Oh, I can understand Primula's feeling of helplessness! It must have been terrible, but the "onions cure" helped and little Frodo smiles again :) It must be wonderful and thrilling for a young mother, when her child starts forming words. I'm quite sure, Frodo's first will be "mommy", though I read in some other story that Merry's first word was "Fro" ;-)
Author's reply
I know of one of Dreamflower's stories where Merry's first word was "Fro". I just loved it! Unfortunately I cannot think of the title.
Larner · 4 November 2005 · Chapter 16: 9. Solmath 1369
Oh, dear, the first ear infections. How miserable they can be! Am so glad the onion helped. My mother-in-law had red pepper wrapped in a clean handkerchief and then dipped in olive oil and would use that, which helped a good deal. Lovely image of Frodo wanting to start talking.
Author's reply
Red pepper? I must remember that one. I just couldn't get rid of the picture of Frodo sitting in his mother's lap and babbling along while she had an 'important' discussion with one of her sisters/brothers or Drogo.
SlightlyTookish · 4 November 2005 · Chapter 16: 9. Solmath 1369
Yay, I'm so glad to see an update! Ear infections are so common for babies and children. It must be very hard for parents when their children are too young to talk and can't say what is hurting them. Poor baby Frodo, and his parents, too!
Author's reply
It must be terrible to not know what your child is suffering from. No wonder parents are all stressed out when their little ones are ill.
Cuthalion · 4 November 2005 · Chapter 16: 9. Solmath 1369
This is such an original, sweet and tender story! I love this chapter, very much - and the cure for the baby's infection of the middle ear is as simple as it is perfect. I hope there are many chapters yet to come!
Author's reply
Believe me, I thought long for this one, only to be told by mom that she new about this kind of treatment from the very beginning. *sighs* There are not too many chapters left, but we will remain at Primula's side for at least a little while. I'm glad you're enjoying this.
shirebound · 4 November 2005 · Chapter 16: 9. Solmath 1369
I just love this diary -- it's so real, Lily. And of course I adore this: Frodo has also started babbling lately. He is very eager to participate in any conversations that I have with Drogo or my visiting siblings and cousins. His sweet mouth is not exactly doing what he wants it to and yet I could listen to his first attempts at speech for hours.
Author's reply
Thank you so much. This means a lot to me. Sometimes even I am amazed by the feelings the story provokes.
Breon Briarwood · 4 November 2005 · Chapter 16: 9. Solmath 1369
Aw, poor dears. Dealing with a sick infant is very frustrating. But the babbling and the joy of hearing "Mommy" (or Mama) for the first time? I remember it well... Very lovely, dear.
Author's reply
I didn't know you were following the story. I'm glad your enjoying it!
SlightlyTookish · 23 September 2005 · Chapter 15: 4. Afteryule 1369
Well. Remember how, on The Birthday, we had a discussion about this story and I went on and on about how I don't like starting stories in the middle, because I feel like I'll never catch up? Well tonight I read every single chapter of this in one sitting! :D I was tired and a bit irritable after a very long week, and I wanted to read something gentle and sweet and I remembered you told me about this story and I figured I couldn't go wrong with a baby hobbit :) I'm glad I read this! This is a lovely story, and I like the voice you give to Primula and also her relationship to everyone around her. I love that Bilbo is part of Frodo's life from the start, and baby!Frodo is just too adorable! (especially at the Yule party :)) I'm looking forward to the next chapter now that I'm all caught up. Great work, Lily!
Author's reply
Eeee!! You actually read it - all in one go? *bounces happily* I'm very glad you're enjoying this. I've come to love to write from Primula's POV. She is such a wonderful mother. I couldn't picture Bilbo anywhere but with his soon-to-be-born nephew in September :)
Andrea · 19 September 2005 · Chapter 15: 4. Afteryule 1369
A nice little chapter, Lily! A couple of weeks ago I finally visited my friend and her little one. I asked her, if she got enough sleep and her husband answered: 'Well, at least our little girl gets all the sleep she needs'. - She's a month old now and far away from sleeping through, but she really is a beautiful baby. And, of course, I just have to quote this: "O, that smile! One is helpless against it." - That's so very true :)
Author's reply
*thinks of the movies and the Grey Havens smile* Helpless indeed!!
Budgielover · 18 September 2005 · Chapter 15: 4. Afteryule 1369
I can just see Prim writing this, and see how her glance strays to her 'two beloved ones.' Seeing the love that surrounded Frodo from the moment of his birth (and before), one can understand more easily how he accepted the burden of the Quest ... from love.
Author's reply
Seeing the love that surrounded Frodo from the moment of his birth (and before), one can understand more easily how he accepted the burden of the Quest ... from love. Thank you so much for that comment. I have never looked at it that way and just the thought of it brings tears to my eyes.
Budgielover · 18 September 2005 · Chapter 14: 19. Blothmath 1368
I am so glad you decided to continue these! Once again you capture Primula's 'voice' beautifully, and every thought and word is so carefully considered and rings so true. We feel not like intruders but accepted into this intimate bond between child and mother, and we rejoice with Prim in Frodo's every breath. Thank you!
Author's reply
Don't worry, there are still some tiny bits that want to be written. I'm so grateful for your words. I'm glad you enjoy this story as much as I do. It's so wonderful to write Primula and watch her cild grow through her eyes.
Larner · 18 September 2005 · Chapter 15: 4. Afteryule 1369
Remembering how difficult it was for me at times as a child when there was too much going on, I can definitely empathize with both mother and baby. Still a joy to read.
Author's reply
I think long-lasting festivities can be rather tiresome for mother and child.
shirebound · 18 September 2005 · Chapter 15: 4. Afteryule 1369
Delighted squeals and joyful laughter fill my ears while I write these pages. I feel like squealing myself! What a happy, joyous chapter.
Author's reply
These are the moments I reconsider having children one day :)
Desidera · 14 September 2005 · Chapter 14: 19. Blothmath 1368
I can only marvel again and again at how accurately you describe the situation of Primula as a mother - as if you've lived through it yourself! Really, it sounds like the stories my mother told me, about the relatives of my father, and I can so well imagine that this is what I'd feel like in a situation like that. Wonderful chapter!
Author's reply
In fact, I have only written how I would feel in a situation like that - and put Primula's personality in there.
Larner · 27 August 2005 · Chapter 14: 19. Blothmath 1368
Wonderful moment here, and can understand the frustration of not a moment to oneself and one's family. Beautifully written.
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner!
Andrea · 27 August 2005 · Chapter 14: 19. Blothmath 1368
Ah yes, those never ending visits of relatives can really plague a mother and her newborn child. A friend of mine is proud mother of a little girl for a couple of weeks now. I plan to visit them, but I'll make a phone call before, just to be sure :) Little Frodo is such a sweet baby! And Primula is a wonderful mother. I wished, this diary would never end and see Frodo grow up under the care of his parents. But sadly that's only a dream.
Author's reply
*LOL* Better not to stress out the newborn and her mother.
shirebound · 27 August 2005 · Chapter 14: 19. Blothmath 1368
Ohhh, Frodo is truly a 'dear little star', isn't he? Poor Primula just needs some peace and quiet to enjoy her little one; hopefully she and Drogo will insist upon it!
Author's reply
Thanks, dear!
Desidera · 3 August 2005 · Chapter 13: 10. Winterfilth 1368
Oh my, again you can feel the Primula's love in every word she writes...You do that really so well. I love how you described her worrying and wanting to put all her energy into caring for Frodo, and how Drogo is proud of him. But the sweetest part was the one with Bilbo - awesome, really!
Author's reply
The bond between Frodo and Bilbo existed from the very begining.
Piroska · 2 August 2005 · Chapter 13: 10. Winterfilth 1368
Dear Lily, This is the sweetest fic I`ve ever read! What a lovely idea you have writing this. Congtatulations!!! With love: piroska
Author's reply
Thank you very much, piroska!
shirebound · 30 July 2005 · Chapter 13: 10. Winterfilth 1368
Watching him holding Frodo in his arms almost brings tears to my eyes. I think he is now realising what he missed in his life. He is ever so gentle with my dear baby and already tells him tales about far-off places. If Bilbo continues like this Frodo will come to love stories and be as eager to hear them as Drogo was as a child. I can see Frodo loves Bilbo also. He seldom complains when the old hobbit takes him into his arms and listens to his uncle's soft words intently. Usually Frodo will look at him with bright eyes and the fleeting shadow of a smile that melts his uncle's heart Awwwww. I think it's very meaningful that Frodo was born on Bilbo's birthday, thus setting up a special relationship and bond that Bilbo felt with no other hobbit.
Author's reply
I think so too! The fact that they share the same birthday definitely bonded them even more than they would have anyhow.