WagTales

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T15:33:00.000-08:00

OK... I've been lazy about posting/writing this year. It seems directly related to the number of pictures I've been taking, but I've gotten lax about the narration part. New Year's resolution to do better about that!

Reflecting on 2008... you just can't get much better than that year! Births, baptisms, wedding, family trip to Hawaii, Scott and Beth move home, new baby on the way, a "new" house for Sarah and Mark, snow ON Christmas. What more could we ask for? I do feel extremely blessed.

Isaac and Santa Video

2008-12-21T20:58:00.000-08:00

Santa Train

2008-12-19T09:05:00.000-08:00

Scott and Isaac make music

2008-12-19T08:42:00.000-08:00

Winter Wonderland

2008-12-18T15:43:00.000-08:00

Home sweet home for the holidays. Thank you, Scott for the lights!

TT likes Santa! Ashen, not so much.

Isaac thinks Santa is pretty fascinating.

Bravo to a Great Brother....

2008-08-24T21:23:00.000-07:00

and his wonderful wife!!!!!!!!
On a 3 day visit to my house, these guys did this:
Fixed my front door so it doesn't stick when opening;
Took down my valance hardware, patched, texturized and repainted where the holes were;
Put in a new kitchen sink faucet
Rehung my laundry closet door, fixing the bent up track it is on.
Installed an air conditioner in my hottest bedroom upstairs
Moved all the furniture in said bedroom, including moving a wall lamp from one wall to other
Put in a new wall switch for my light/fan upstairs
Doubled the overhead light fixtures in the garage
Installed 3 electrical boxes of four outlets each in the garage, now a total of 14 plug-ins available
Installed an outdoor electrical outlet box on my front porch for my fountain or for Christmas lights
Made me clean my garage
Built a two post trellis in my back yard for my Dawn roses.
Unplugged the shower drain

And then, made pizza!

Did I forget something? You get the picture. They were the greatest! I'd love em even if they came and sat on their hm-hms the whole time. Thank you, Paul and Barb!!!!

Huh Uh Huh Uh Huh

2008-08-15T18:07:00.000-07:00

Have you ever tried to talk to an "under two" on the phone. They want to, grab the phone, listen.... and then are silent! No amount of chatting elicits a sound. Well, now Isaac communicates with me in a "special phone language". He breathes in the phone and I copy his breath pattern. Then he breathes and I copy or I breathe and he copies. Out in out in out.... exaggerated. Then we laugh. It is now a ritual. When I call Rachel or she calls me, there is Isaac breathing. Very cute. Maybe you gotta be there? I'm going to try to get it on video.

Ashenafi is a Swimmer!

2008-08-12T23:09:00.000-07:00

And he knows his name!

Bowl Babies

2008-08-12T23:04:00.000-07:00

Fancy sinks in our condo were perfect for a sit-in.

Mr. and Mrs. Jamieson Wed in Kauai

2008-08-12T22:29:00.000-07:00

Here's a little video of part of the ceremony with beautiful Poipu beach in the background.

Before the ceremony, Isaac enjoyed the music of the guitar player.

What a day, What a Day

Blog Help Needed

2008-07-22T19:19:00.000-07:00

I would like to learn how to lessen the margins therefore widening the space for
writing, pictures and sidebars. Anyone know how?

GO SCOTT!

2008-07-22T05:42:00.000-07:00

Show them your stuff!

Messing with Frogs Doesn't Pay

2008-07-17T19:02:00.000-07:00

The Big 6-OH!

2008-07-17T08:26:00.000-07:00

I've been celebrating for a couple of weeks now, starting with my trip to Mt. Rainier.
My BFF Barbra spent 3 days with me hitting the Bainbridge in Bloom tour (for the second year) then Molbaks and Ravenna Gardens. Spending time with B is one of the best presents I could ask for.
My book club (who sometimes reads the book and sometimes doesn't but we always have fun getting together) helped me celebrate the night before with a great dinner and cupcakes! Thank you, Lynn, for organizing that and thinking of me!
Big bro, WW, picked me up in his swanky Jag and took me to breakfast at the Maltby Cafe. Yum!
Even though my son is cramming for the Bar exam, he and his intended, Beth, came down from Whidbey to celebrate my day. All my kids and grandkids spent the afternoon/evening at the University Village Festival, starting the fun with cupcakes ala Rachel (best ever!) playing on the jungle gym, eating at Zao's and listening to funky music on the stage. It was good family times as always.
After the babies went home to bed, Scott, Beth and I ended the day with a beautiful bottle of champagne and a very bad movie.
Life is good. Thank you, God.

Here is a cool video of Isaac "Raising the roof".

Cute lil video of Isaac truckin along....

2008-07-10T20:34:00.000-07:00

Sometimes just watching him walk is fun. You KNOW he understands what you are saying. Lil Stinker.

Today I stopped at Sarah's and since I hadn't had lunch I made a sandwich. Ashen's big brown eyes came "begging" and Grandma shared. "Thank you, Gramma" he said, after each bite. Such good manners.

Torin has a tooth! He was so happy today, full of smiles as always. I wish my camera hadn't been packed away because there were some picture-perfect opportunities. Sigh!

I love, love, love my boys.

Day 3 in the Wilds with my Latte machine

2008-07-09T20:33:00.000-07:00

This is my attempt at photostitching. Of course, Mt. Rainier is too big and glorious to fit on one picture so I took 3 using my photostitching option on my camera and then found a freeware to stitch it together. Voila. Looks almost postcard perfect.

Another glorious summer day. Mt. Rainier National Park was not crowded so I could drive at 30 MPH without bugging anyone or when I stopped in the road for this.

Not the least bit concerned about me.

I had flipflops on but I did bring tennies, so imagine my surprise when I got to Paradise to find this...

Packs and packs of snow... no trails up the beautiful meadows. Not too unhappy though. I didn't really want to hike. I ate my lunch outside of the newly remodeled Paradise Inn and before I knew it I had a new friend.....

Yep, not too shy with my lunch.

All in all, a fine day.

Taking to the Wilds

2008-07-08T17:38:00.000-07:00

What better thing to do when approaching a "BIG ONE" birthday? On a wild hair I booked 4 days just outside of Rainier National Park in a lil studio cabin called the Artist Studio. I found this place online here. Nice, huh? My goal is to take the TIME to play by myself. Play, for me, means anything besides household chores. I love my house, mind you, but summer flies by and I lament I didn't have time to "play". So I am.
It took me all morning and part of the afternoon on Monday, to p ack. Not wanting to be without my creature comforts, I brought.... everything. My favorite lounge chair, my pillow, my espresso machine, a blender, a CD/radio, my ipod, my bicycle, paints, brushes, sketch pad and canvases, a crate full of books,...
I've been here a day so far, and I think I only forgot to bring movies (which the cabin has plenty of) and I wish I brought my own blankets. Down is just not my thing in the summer. The bed is rather rickety, having only 3 wood slats to hold it up and two of the 3 posts were broken and lying on the floor when I arrived. Hmmmm. Never mind . Anyway, I decided to report it, which means walking down to the Copper Creek Restaurant, since there aren't any phones around here. The owners came by and the 3 of us lifted the bed and put the posts back, but immediately after they left, the posts fell off again. Dum b design. So, I slept precariously, hoping the mattresses wouldn't fall through to the floor. Trust me, it was a wobbly situation.
When I awoke this morning, I decided to email the owner, in stead of tracking them down in the restaurant. I got an email back... she said, " This is odd receiving an email from the Art Studio!"
I guess email is not a common way to communicate on these premises. Anyway, the bed got fixed so I anticipate a better sleep tonight.

I did take a bike ride this morning. 6 miles. Through beautiful forest roads. Not a car in sight. I was half-afraid I'd run into a bear or something, it was so fo rested. It is hot today. Probably like home. It gets breezy and cold at night which is quite nice. I made a latte this morning at 7 and took it to the hottub. That is a good time to go. Quiet and lovely. I count myself lucky to be able to do this.

Here's some pix of "my" hottub and surround s.

This afternoon, in that very chair you see in the picture, I dabbled with painting with acrylics, something I've only used on wooden and dough ornaments. I used an illustration by a local artist as my inspiration. Some time, I will be able to do my own "originals", but for the time being, I think it looks pretty good. Here's my masterpiece:

Books I am reading:
1) Social Studies that Sticks... How to Bring Content and Concepts to Life. (always a learner)
2) The Double Bind, by Chris Bohjalian
3) Peak Performance for Smart Kids

I also brought 3 magazines... Country Garden, Body and Soul and Yoga + Joyful Living

Such a deal.

More pix and I'm done for today:
Kitchen window... lots of light in this lil place. Must be no more than 150 sq. feet but it has 6 big windows on all sides. I love the light.

Tomorrow? No biking... my butt hurts! I plan to go look at Mt. MaRear (as Rach used to say). More reading, maybe more painting. And I need to have a piece of that yummy blackberry pie they have down at the restaurant.

Back to the Zoo, zoo, zoo.

2008-07-03T19:23:00.001-07:00

Posing on the Bed

2008-07-03T18:59:00.000-07:00

Awwwwwww!

Summer Fun Times

2008-06-30T19:21:00.000-07:00

Nothing like the freedom of no clothes on a hot day.

Nothing cuter than this...

Torin is a tolerant baby, but REALLY!
Baptism Day for Ashen, Torin and Isaac and Ashen's 1st Famiversary Day.

Isaac has a Sleepover at Grandma's...

2008-06-24T19:34:00.000-07:00

OK, OK, I was making coffee in the background. It isn't always
bird's chirping and Mozart around here.

Highlights of the sleepover:
1. Scott and Beth were "sleeping over" too!
2. Isaac fell asleep to "Where is Thumbkin" lying in my bed looking like an angel.
He is truly a beautiful little boy, ESPECIALLY while sleeping.
3. When he woke up in the night, he was not freaked out. We both missed out on some
sleep but it was fun.
4. When he woke up at 6:30 AM he climbed in with Grandma and his blankie and we watched Barney and friends on TV. (What a great idea to have kid stuff on TV early
since I am a slow waker-upper)
5. It'sallgood.

Farewell to the Best Best School year and my 4th/5th grade Class of 08

2008-06-20T19:24:00.000-07:00

Though this is obviously mostly a Grandma-centered blog, I do have another "life" too, and that is teaching sweet, smart, sensational students. I usually can kiss goodbye a school year with a "hip hip hooray, what's next?" but I say goodbye to this year's students with a bittersweet regret. They touched my heart, soul and mind.

The highlight of the year was our Musical. They blew my socks off with their exuberant singing, willingness to go for excellence and sweet support of each other during the process. One thing I learned was that experiences like this truly bring people together.

Some of my students access this blog to check out what I am up to, and I want them to know that they are WELCOME here. Feel free to make "comments" and know that I am thinking about you and wishing for you a bright future. I miss you!

Sweet Times

2008-06-10T20:14:00.000-07:00

Dancing Doll Baby

2008-05-18T21:42:00.000-07:00

Isaac Dancing 5/18/08

Ashen at Emma's Birthday Party

2008-05-18T20:25:00.000-07:00

This is really kind of funny. Fortunately, Ashen thinks so too!

Ashen gets dissed 5/17/08

Birthday Girl and her Grandma...

ZERO COMMENTS?

2008-05-03T21:10:00.000-07:00

C'mon now. The bear picture was cool.

Today was a full day. Started out with a bit of garage saling where I found some cool trucks for my garden. The boys and I will be making trips and trails with the new dump trucks and cement truck this summer. It became a tug-o-war when Rachel found out they made noises and actually dumped and turned when a button is pushed. All for a dollar each. But Grandma won. (I'm still bigger)
Here is Isaac being a real trouper hauled from block to block, neighborhood to neighborhood in the rain. He did make off with a cool car though. He is staking his claim here.

Next we built a fence. Everyone pitched in and it was built in a day. Sarah and I used the chop saw to cut the pickets, Mark designed the fancy gate, Gregg screwed in all the pickets and voila.... a fenced-in backyard. All this with 3 babies underfoot and in the pouring rain. Unfortunately, I only got a "before" picture.

And as the day drew to an end I caught Ashen and Torin having a bro-to-bro chat.

It was a wonderful family day.

Come home, Scotty!

Goin to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo, How About You, You, You?

2008-04-27T20:46:00.001-07:00

Woodland Park Zoo is so beautiful in the springtime. I just regret that the
day was not long enough. It is so fun to see such things as ducks through the eyes of a child again.

(I was so busy watching babies that I didn't get a lot of pictures, so I swiped the last two off Gregg and Rachel's website...)

Saturday Fun

2008-04-20T20:27:00.000-07:00

Ashen and the Water Table

I am thinking there must have been a very wet diaper after that!

And here is the Cutie Patootie 11 week old....

Torin Loves Action

Sweet stuff

Isaac is checking out his baby swing being used and when he got a chance he had a sit too....

He was not too inspired so he decided to let Torin have it after all.

Happy Birthday, Scotty

2008-04-09T19:28:00.000-07:00

Missing you on your day!

Posing for Grandma

2008-04-06T19:11:00.001-07:00

and a cool little video...

DubbadubbadoIsaac 4/5/08

Too cute

2008-04-01T00:02:00.000-07:00

Smoothies are the Best after Sliding

2008-03-31T22:41:00.000-07:00

Torin is Talking to Grandma J.

2008-03-31T22:31:00.000-07:00

Water Fun with Isaac

2008-03-30T18:58:00.000-07:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Such fun! Until he discovered what fun it was to scoop the water and pour it onto the
floor. Oh well. The sun shall shine soon and we'll take our fun times outside.

He is Born!

2008-02-05T20:21:00.000-08:00

Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!

Sweet baby Torin Isaiah. I love him already and always. See Sarah and Mark's blog (link at right) for the blow by blow account of the birth. I was awestruck as always, this being the 6th birth that I've been privileged to be present for. (For those counting, one of them was my own, ha, ha, ha. )

Here is my beautiful daughter at 8 CM.

Ashen meets his little brother

Check out photo gallery, link on the right, for new Torin album

Winter Fun Times

2008-01-07T20:52:00.001-08:00

Christmas Joy

2008-01-07T18:36:00.002-08:00

Getting it together

2007-12-17T21:25:00.000-08:00

Hope you all appreciate the new addition... the slide show. Hmm... why does it seem to take me hours to get a simple thing like that accomplished? Maybe it has something to do with having to organize all the photos in my picture file first.

Still waiting for my babies to call me Grandma. Maybe I won't post anymore until they do. Ha!

He's all ours!

2007-12-17T15:29:00.000-08:00

Birthday Fun Times

2007-12-17T13:44:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday, Babies

2007-11-17T21:43:00.000-08:00

In celebration of Ashen's birthday tomorrow and Isaac's in 3 weeks, I will post an update herein. I must say both babies reward me with warm fuzzies each time I see them. Ashen gave me a kiss through the screen door a week or so ago. It seems he only really doles out kisses to his stuffed toys, but with the screen between us, he thought kissing was OK. When he wakes up from a nap, he is particularly snuggly, burrowing in to my ample soft spots and staying put. When I babysit, we especially like to dance and sing to Raffi and Putamayo. Isn't he just a camera magnet?

This week was a busy one, so I didn't get to seem my neighbor grandbaby, Isaac at all until today. We had a great day playing with Grandma's toys (he especially likes the 25 year old durable Fisher Price cassette player I have) eating, napping and then shopping at Fred Meyer. What a pal he is.
I have baby-proofed my house, pretty much, but I have one "No" for him. That is the flashing blue button on my computer. He crawls over to it and squawks a bit, really wants to push it, but he doesn't. Lovely how teachable he is.
Isaac isn't as huggy as Ashen, but he lets me know that I am the Queen of babysitters. Today, he kept saying "Guh, guh". I am quite certain it is his forerunner for Gramma. Yep, I'm sure.

I couldn't love my two any more than I do! Here's a picture of my tough guy....

Getting my groove back....

2007-09-08T22:43:00.000-07:00

Though I can't post much about my job ever, here's just to say that all is well with me.
May just be the best class ever for me.... I bound off to work each day and have energy to spare when I get home. Joy, joy, joy!

And then there are grandbabies. 3 boys in about a year! My cup is full to the brim.
This little guy had his pix taken just tonight. He was playing with the sunlight on the floor and I do believe he looks as angelic as one can get.

There is just so much joy here.
I've been neglecting to take pictures but will get back at it. I wanted to include a picture of my "blooming" daughter, anyway. Most of us didn't know she was blooming in the photo below as well. God is Good!

Picture Walk Through Ashen's 1st four days

2007-07-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

Baby A has Arrived!

2007-07-09T20:55:00.000-07:00

Can it get any better?

Lazy, Hazy, Crazy...

2007-07-02T13:13:00.001-07:00

Man, I love summertime. No plans for an actual vacation, but I am thinking I should go somewhere, just to get away from my to-do list. All things I want to get accomplished, but it keeps me looking and feeling bi-polar, as my neighbor refers to me.

I have spent endless time problem-solving photographic issues... like how to share my cute lil videos. I found a place called One-True Media which allows you to share (for free) limited video and photographs by uploading and emailing the link. For a small monthly fee there are all sorts of creative possibilities as well as unlimited sharing. It seems like a good deal. Here's the website if you are interested. http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/public_home .
There is a link to the side there which takes you to my home videos.
I plan to keep my Photo Gallery updated this summer so if you like the photos here you can go there to see more.

A Seven Hour Grandma Day

2007-06-28T19:12:00.000-07:00

Three days into my summer vacation and I had my first "Give Mommy a Break" Day.
Of course, with the pre-mindset that NOTHING would get done today except baby-tending, it was actually a productive day. First thing, we took off for JoAnn's fabrics, because I have the wild hair to make baby slings. He doodle-dooed all the way over, playing with a crinkly toy and JUST as I drove into the store parking lot he went to sleep. Mind you, this store is a 25 minute drive from my house, so we were going in! He woke right up and helped me pick out some fabric that he says he won't mind being seen in.

After, I decided that he probably did need to sleep so I bagged the trip to Target, Barnes and Noble, Nordstrom's and QFC. The fabric acquisition was good enough.

The rest of the day was spent eating and sleeping, pooping (him not me!) and playing. Oh! How I wish I could share a video clip I took of him in a full-fledge monologue in his walker. Squealing and giggling and talking. Probably something only Grandmas, Mommys and Daddys get into.
I did get the floor cleaned while he scooted around in his walker. He helped by dusting with his sox.
Anyway... after about 50 photo ops, here are a few I think are the cutest of the day . Notice the two toofies.

First Day of Summer for Me!

2007-06-26T21:17:00.000-07:00

A beautiful day it is. For all the people who know and love me, sorry about all the whining I did this past year about my job. It was the most "taxing" year of my life... and I'm glad it is behind me. 'Nuf said.

Baby time...

Double Grandma Time

2007-06-16T14:19:00.001-07:00

It's official... Ashen has a birth certificate with his new mom and pop on it and a wonderful new middle name! Perfect. I'm excited to post his picture :
Welcome, sweet baby...can't wait to meet you in just a couple of weeks!
I'll have to be looking for a double stroller, so I can take both my babies on walks!

Right now, I am feeling like a mom... I have Baby IJ for the day while his mommy and daddy
are out of a town for a funeral. I marvel that I went through this three times myself... how the day's schedule is SOOOOO not mine. Even though it is I who decides when the first bottle is, when to feed him cereal, when to change him... is it nap time? Finally! Sleeps 35 minutes and up and at em... but crabby... amazingly is hungry.. another bottle. Then we're happy.. so in the car, to the post office, bank ATM, grocery store for prescriptions and back home again. A bit of peas, change the dipeys, phone call from the "real mom" telling me that "35 minutes is NOT enough sleep by now!" Like, I can MAKE him sleep. So off to bed.. but NO!!!! he is outraged. I visit him 3 times in 30 minutes and can't handle the screamin anymore, but danged if I'll let him win. So.. I compromise... a bottle it is, but held for him while he STAYS in the crib. Amazing that he is hungry again! Wow! How would I know? He sucked down 4 oz. and snuggled into his blankies and off to dreamland. So the timer is on... wonder how long this nap will be?

Amidst this schedule, I did get the kitchen cleaned, sort of and that is ALL. But, of course, I wouldn't trade a minute of it for having my day back.
Here's some new pictures of the day:

Just too cute.
A note about being a Grandma: I don't feel OLD enough to be a grandma, so, at first when I was out with him and people would stop me to ooo and ahh, I'd be sure to tell them I'm the Grandma, lest they thought he was my offspring. After a few looks that clearly said, "Duh! what did you think... I thought you were the mom?", I quit saying that. Now when I get the compliments on my cute baby, I just thank them very much.

...The Lord Has Made

2007-05-01T17:25:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my 2nd grandbaby, Ashenafi Desta. I could not be happier in anticipation of his arrival! Ever since the announcement of the adoption referral, I have felt so at peace. I know the ache and desire and wonderment of being a parent. I know my baby girl and her husband have been so anxiously awaiting having their own little family and now that HE is on his way, the puzzle is complete. NOT that I don't want a quiverful, but having 2 grandbabies and a niece all born within 7 months of each other, is over-the-moon joyful stuff. We only have two pictures of him, but I have printed those pictures nine different ways. Can't WAIT to hold him and breathe in his sweetness. They say that being a grandparent is the most amazing time, and I would have to agree. I want to be there every step of the way.

Since I can't publish his picture, I'll share some of Grandma's toys. I'll spoil you, Ashenafi!

More about more

2007-04-15T17:03:00.000-07:00

I have been just too pooped to write of late.... even neglected to take pictures. I'm on the countdown at school.... 10 weeks to go, give or take a day or two. It has been an exhausting year (as you all know from the great bit of whining and complaining I've done), trying to juggle an all-new and very challenging teaching job and allow myself the time to make the journey of life with my new grandbaby. I constantly struggle with wanting to spend more time with "my baby" and wanting to do a good job at work. Every so often I remind myself that I can't be everything to everyone and I just try to keep somewhat of a balance going so I don't feel like a failure at either.

Even though I have floundered a bit with my new job and they have challenged me every step of the way, I do love these kids. They make me laugh, they make me cry. I think about them night and day and worry some and pray some. I do think that though I am a more capable elementary school age teacher, somehow I have been placed at EvMS for a reason. I definitely have powerful feelings for the welfare of these kids and I hope that in some way I have helped them in their lives.

And then there is the grandma in me. Baby IJ has been giving mom and pop some fits with his sleeping. On one particular Thursday evening recently, I had the sweet guy and he gave me fits. I walked and jiggled, strolled and wiggled, fed him, burped him, changed him, sang and danced. ALL WRONG. He was exhausted and NOTHING I did helped him sleep. I was exhausted and in my gut I knew that something had to change because this was his pattern many evenings. I was starting to dread babysitting. Daughter and mom/grandma (me) got together the next day and decided to make a project of getting IJ in his own bed. I don't know what I was expecting, I just knew it had to be done, because we were all exhausted, baby included.

With the guidance of a dear friend of mine, who reminded me how it's done, what the crying means and more or less what to expect... we took the plunge and taught Baby IJ how to sleep by himself, in his own bed. There was a bit of fussing, especially in the evening hours, but starting the first day (over a week ago) he slept a 12 hour sleep, with only one feeding. It isn't all easy... it doesn't always work like clockwork, but with a bit of flexibility, for the most part, he is becoming a more independent sleeper. Happy baby means happy mom and pop. It's all good.

Growing and growing

2007-03-18T18:30:00.000-07:00

A couple of years back I had another blog, but I forgot the password to it and could never figure out how to get back in, so I started a new one. Fortunately, this one has been storing my password, so when I go a few weeks without posting... well, you know.

I am thinking my first grandbaby is about finished with the full-bore-screamin colic. He still requires me to stand on my head and blow bubbles through my nose for entertainment, but at least I can get him to keep it to a dull roar. It is working out for me to babysit once mid-week for a couple hours and once on a weekend evening. That seems to be a satisfactory arrangement for all... I get to watch him grow and be in the trenches for the stages; the mommy and daddy get to have a much-needed break. There have been rewards. Baby definitely recognizes his grandma and is "talking" to me regularly. I am a push-over for baby cooing, especially when said baby is looking at me adoringly. Sigh.

I count myself blessed among women for my good fortune of having family living so close by. There is always the "dance" of how much is too much togetherness (with the daughter and son-in-law, not the baby) , but we are working it out. The good things are beyond my expectations.

Isn't he adorable?

It's all worth it!

2007-02-18T16:55:00.000-08:00

I feel a responsibility, towards my 3 or 4 blogger fans, to check in every few weeks. I must admit, my Grandma duties have stepped up of late... 4 times in the past two weeks! Granted, I am only in the trenches for two or three hours at a go, but a couple of things are happening here.
First, we are bonding! Baby I. is winning my heart with smiles a minute and an occasional whoop and giggle. A little bit of "talking" too, but so far, nothing I can keep going. It's amazing to me how God has it planned... to increase the interpersonal communication (via smiles, giggles and coos) directly in proportion to how much WORK the baby is. Even though I was a stay-at-home mom of three, it's been awhile.

Which leads me to the second thing. I am once again reminded of how "the baby" rules! I find myself, rocking, walking, jiggling, singing, bouncing and patting the bottom.... often,the full time he's with me! I know how much it is all so very worth it, but I can't help but congratulate myself for having made it through baby-motherhood AND I can't help but admire, respect and salute my own daughter who is being transformed into an amazing mom. Being a mom is a time when you pass the baton... it is no longer "all about me". It is a time of giving up a piece of yourself to that little heartbeat. It is my experience that the more you give, the more you gain in return. It's all so worth it.

I shouldn't Whine...

2007-02-04T16:10:00.000-08:00

I know I am among the "chosen few" who get to live near their grandchild, so I shouldn't whine when a couple of weeks has gone by and I haven't gotten to babysit. (sigh) My fault this weekend, because once again, I have a blasted cold. So... I stay at home and watch "The Happiest Baby on the Block" video. Man, I wish I had watched that when my babes were newborns. Just do the 5 S's ( swaddle, side/stomach position, shushing, swinging and sucking) and instantly voila! baby is quiet and peaceful. Sleeps more at night. Like magic. Why, you say, am I watching the

video instead of the folks in the trenches watching it? Cuz I'm the one with the time. Furthermore, it's fun to see what the latest research is with regard to child rearing. I feel like I need to be "up" on it, so I can be trusted with the care of my grandbabies.
And, of course, I am always here to give advice whenever they want it ... or not.

TMI

2007-01-16T08:47:00.000-08:00

I've been reading other "grandma blogs" this morning and have come across two potential problems with blogging. 1) imparting TMI (too much information) LORDAMERCY... I can see how blogging is rather like journaling, but it is public domain, after all. I do think that since I am a blabbermouth of sorts, I will have to keep myself in check, remembering that my thoughts, musings and remembrances are not necessarily suitable for public fare. I am sure I will be reminded if I goof up (by my own children). Thank goodness for the editing capabilities of blogspot.
2) The other thing I noticed is that some grandmas tend to fill their pages with too many pictures. On some blogs, I had to scroll through massive numbers of pictures to get to any words. That is, of course, my opinion, and the beauty of this whole deal... you can do what you dang please, but, I was looking for grandmas who had stories to share. I want to read about others' experiences as grandparents... the joys, the challenges, advice about not giving advice... that kind of thing.
Let me qualify all this by saying that I could become guilty of posting too many photos IF I didn't think through this... in the five weeks since my grandson was born, I have taken about 400 digital photos of him. Only about a tenth are really keepers, but even at that, 40 gorgeous shots is too many to share. So I'll be selective.
Here are a couple from last night.... Baby IJ loves to loll in front of my fireplace when I babysit.

Musings about Becoming a Grandma

2007-01-15T13:53:00.000-08:00

It's called "tummy-time" which refers to putting baby on the floor to give him practice raising his head. Since babies are no longer put on their stomachs to sleep, they don't have as much opportunity working these muscles, so arranging "work-out time" is an important thing. Well, Baby IJ is already rolling over from tummy to back. I think he started this at 4 weeks, maybe even a little before that. I am impressed! Which leads me to warn you... I am easily and totally sucked into to being impressed by baby doings. Having a grandbaby just brings me right back to the remembered wonder of being a mom... I loved every bit of it and still do. After 30 years, the memories of the hard parts... lack of and interrupted sleep, fussiness without reason, just where do you put the baby when you are trying to get the bath ready, and in general... just how do you get anything done, period? Well... after 30 years, those things are fuzzy and I have to catch myself when I paint the picture to my daughter, a new mommy, that it is really quite easy. It isn't and it wasn't. Time just blurs that and what I do remember is how very much I adored my babies/children. What a joy and honor it has been to be the mother to 3 spectacular kids. That's what I take with me always. Still a joy, still an honor. So... daughter of mine and new mother: I know it isn't easy and it won't be. It is an awesome challenge beyond anything you will ever do or accomplish in your life. But, the rewards go on and on and on. Being a grandma is just one more huge reward for me. I'm going to love it. Already do.

MY Beautiful Babies, Sept. 2005

Weighing in

2007-01-15T13:44:00.000-08:00

It's a family thing. There are three blogs I check in to regularly, and now that I am a grandma, I am thinking it is time that I get serious about getting on the blog-wagon. Actually I have had this one for quite awhile...set it up and never could think of a thing to write that I would want anyone to know about. But now .... I have a new and precious grandson and one on the way... it is time to get serious about sharing the life and times of these new lives. Through a Grandma's eyes. Here goes.