Katie Poppins

Today I witnessed a full circle sort of thing. My niece, Katie, came with her bags, camera, Coach purse, and an eagerness to help Linz with the baby. She is such a sweetheart and has a giggle that reaches your heart. The baby will be in good hands. It was just about 15 years ago that Linz was playing the same role helping her Aunt Linda take care of baby Katie when she came home from the hospital. That's the full circle. There is a funny story Linz likes to tell about that time, but we will keep it for the family campfires so as not to embarass Uncle Steve in cyberspace.
We keep checking every day for the baby's birthmark to appear. In the meantime she proudly wears her Irish head warmer.
Big brother is trying to suck his sister into their own little fan club. I think she might be a Dolphin's fan........

It's about time that we get back to our normal routines. I'm trying to figure out how to adjust mine to swing by and see the little pink fluff every morning. It's going to be tough, but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.

ps- belated birthday wishes to Lindsay (no photos allowed) and Jim.

Did you know that Abby's family and our family have matching birthdays?????? Isn't that fun?

How do you like the world so far?

I finally decided to upsize to a bigger room. It was getting pretty cramped in my last home.
Just look what I've gotten myself into. They put this stretchy thing with a huge red flower on my head and expected me to smile.
All I wanted to do was go back to my nap.

These three people are constantly holding, touching, looking at me ALL DAY LONG! I thought that the papa bear was supposed to leave the big crib every day to bring home more milk. Baby bear has done his homework here for the last two days so he could hang around too in case I did something he might miss. The mamma bear is soft and cuddly, but she won't let my grandma bear take me home with her yet.

See? The papa bear holds me in that bear hug. He does have the courtesy to shave his beard every morning so it won't scratch my sensitive, newborn skin. I'm starting to like him.

Mamma bear is nice to cuddle up to. She thinks that pink is my favorite color and somehow has this idea that I've been to Paris. She does keep me in milk, though. She's not so bad either.
All I have to do is make this face and let out some noise and you should see them jump and come running! It's actually pretty funny.
Little bear here holding me. This is the one who I could hear reading stories through the walls at my old place. He kisses my head all the time and tells people how to hold me. I think he might be fun to play with when I'm a little bigger. I hear he has a whole drawer full of legos.
Now we're talking! That Grandma Bear knows a girl likes soft, silky things. She brought this oh-so-soft blankie for me to lay on. It's my very favorite one. Maybe pink isn't so bad, but I still think that red is my favorite color.
I'm starting to get a little hungry now. I think I'll do that noise thing and make them run in here and feed me. I'll be back.
nighty-nite

Presley's Portfolio - days 2 & 3

So, I left you with a little taste and you came back for more, huh?
We are so grateful for this healthy baby girl that I can't even begin to tell you.
The day after she was born was a little rough, but everything worked out well.
Her mommy has scheduled a photo shoot on Friday but for now you can view
these snapshots that Peyton and I took the last two days.
Thank you for all of your lovely comments, prayers, and support.
Our entire family appreciates every one of you. This, by far, is my very favorite shot from the hospital. I caught Peyton bonding with his baby sister while everyone else was focused on what the nurse and doctor were reporting. There wasn't anything else in his world at this moment except his new sister.

Here's a shot of the happy family, all home under one roof. Think this little girl will be a bit spoiled? (and they won't be able to blame me this time!)
Just after Peyton gave her a kiss on the top of her head, she made a smacking thing with her mouth. He was convinced that she was blowing a kiss back to him. I think she was too.
Daddy got his little girl all dressed up for her hospital photo. He even got her tiny little feet into some tiny little socks and shoes. He's already a big pile of mush over this baby :)
Lindsay got a moment to have her to herself. A little bonding time with mommy.

For those of you who would like to see more, take a look here.

There's still more to come, but I'm falling asleep.

nite

PRESLEY IS IN DA' BUILDING!!!!!

Here she is.........all 7 lbs. 4 oz. 19 1/2" of our beautiful baby girl.
Made her appearance at 2:20am on July 21st.

About 143,000 photos to follow. Peyton wouldn't allow a flash so we will take more with the
natural light tomorrow.
nite
happy Grandma Pam

Twice the Fun

Aren't these twins adorable?
This little guy has quite a sense of humor. While his twin sister is a bit more reserved.
Check out those baby blues on these kids!
They are so cute and full of energy. Twice the fun as one.
Just ask their dad.

Gone fishin'

To me there is nothing more relaxing that hanging out on a dock by the lake.
Some people find it relaxing to hang out on a dock by the lake while holding a pole with string and a worm attached. If you are at the right lake, the latter can bring on a bit of work.
I like to relax, so I just sat back in my chair and took photos of all the "work" involved in the other people's idea of relaxing.
Here we have Uncle Steve. He was quite relaxed until the two little ones wanted to fish with him. This involved giving up his chair, moving his pole to the other side of the dock to avoid any tangles with their lines, and hitting the deck when Chloe tried to cast by herself.
But he didn't seem to mind. Peyton hung out with him pretty much of the day.

Little ones do not like to bait their hooks. I don't blame them. I haven't touched a worm since 1972. Never again since then have I touched a worm. Not even for my precious grandkids.
They came up with a solution, at least Chloe and Bret did. Peyton watched them.
1. Tear off two pieces of plastic from a Target bag found under the seat in Grandma's car.
Wrap the pieces around the worm, creating a barrier between your skin and his (or hers).

2. Once you have gotten the point of the hook in, you must sit down and wrap it around the rest of the hook.

3. Success! See Grandma, that was easy and I didn't have to touch it once.

But now, the girls have to show the boy how it's done........time and time again.

We had a wonderful time at Uncle Rol and Aunt Elaine's last week.

Can't wait to go again.

nite

Fruits of the Harvest

Chloe loves to garden. This year, after being encouraged from her teacher in garden club at school, we planted a sister garden in a very small space (about 3' by 5'). I didn't know there was such a thing as "atomic" pumpkin seeds, but apparently we got a package.
Anyway Chloe was so excited tonight when she saw RED! Her first harvest! Two of the most perfect cherry tomatoes you ever wanted to see.
She was so proud of them. Grandpa got to be the taste tester.
Hoping that this will be the last maternity shot of Linz. Had to turn it to b&w because Jeff was going casual in a bright orange tee shirt and his Christmas jammie pants. Enjoy it while you can, dear son-in-law. The kids have been trying to teach him to "swaddle" a doll for practice. Chloe is exasperated. "He wraps it like a burrito!"
And this is it. The new little baby all snug as a bug.
nite.

Presley's Pad

No.....we don't have the actual baby yet so I thought I'd show you what this little girl's environment will be. Her dad actually thinks all the pink will put her into therapy later in life, but Linz has worked very hard on every single detail, bossed us all around with the tasks we've had assigned for this project, and spent hundreds of hours feathering this little nest.

Here is the best shot I got of the painted design on the walls. Yes - I said PAINTED. She lost track of the $ spent on blue low-tack tape after the 15th roll. Even the trim is faux. When I read down my list and saw that I was to paint a large monogram "P" I went straight to someone who made this beautiful script letter, 24" high, out of rub-on material. Notice the 20x20 print that she will see every morning and night? That wasn't in the original set of plans, but I see she put it up. This is the other side of the room. I am anxious to fill that long photo frame with shots of tiny fingers and toes! I purchased that Black Apple print for Linz before I even knew she was pregnant. It's titled "Little Lulu", Lindsay's nickname. How appropriate.
Glen gave this antique mirror to Lindsay for Christmas about 5 years ago. She painted the frame black and it looks very pretty in this room.
There isn't actually a hanging rod on the top here. Those clothes are packed so tightly they stand on their own. JUST KIDDING! Honestly, can you believe the wardrobe waiting for her?
I've pointed out one of my favorite pieces. :)

All ready for her first outing, home from the hospital. I wonder if it will be too big? That pink fluffy poodle in the corner is actually a blanket that Chloe picked out. Tomorrow Peyton and Chloe are going to the Siblings Class at the hospital. They also went to Build A Bear this week and made a special teddy for Presley - placing 2 hearts and a little recorded message inside. I was adamant that they weren't getting any accessories for this one, but I did break down for a little pink t-shirt.
So, baby girl, when do you think you'll get here? Do you think you will like pink? I sure hope so.

nite.

Red, White, and Blue

Red, white and blue

here's little Drew. He's now in another state

and his grandma can't wait

to ride a jet plane

to see him again.

Happy Fourth of July

little guy.

Documentary

Welcome to tonight's documentary.
I live 2 rivers and a canal away from my sister.
Here's what I endured on the trip home from a visit with her this evening.
Since I didn't have anything better to do while waiting in this traffic
I decided to document it.
Just for fun.

Here is the first part of the slow-down. Well preceeding the canal bridge.
I had to laugh at the speed limit 55, when I looked at my speedometer registering 5mph. Traffic as far as the eye can see.
This is typical for those of us who live in this area.
There is always roadwork going on.
Remember the flower incident from Joey & Abby's wedding?
This is the route that my poor sister took with all the fresh flowers.
It's been almost a year now and still no end in sight.

Finally over the canal bridge and look at all the traffic behind us.
Here's a news flash! A lane is closed!!!!!

This is the only sign I knew on my last driver's test. Merge.

And just in case you don't recognize that sign, here is some more direction - with a huge flashing arrow thrown in just for good measure.

At least I had the flooded farm land scenery to look at while I was watching my gas gauge go down......about $12 worth.
Here to the west I admired the beautiful sunset, wondering if I'd be watching the sun come UP before I made it across the next two rivers.
So this is what was sending my radar detector bleeping like crazy. Wonder how many speeding tickets he gave out this evening?
FINALLY! Mystery solved. One poor guy up there by the second truck with a jackhammer, repairing a chip in the concrete on the bridge - which I might add probably wasn't built with the thought it would be holding mega tons of cars at a single time.
I made it home, almost 2 hours later for what should have been a 45 minute drive.
At least I didn't get a speeding ticket.

nite.