It has always been my intent to keep up with the blogs and let my friends know what I am up to. However, sometimes the adventures of my life take over and I find the time to write less optimal.
I have added a precious granddaughter to my collection of grandchildren since I last wrote in this blog. She arrived on July 21, 2010 at 5:02 AM. Even though I normally use code names for this, I shall reveal her true identity this once...her name is Faith Elaine and she is beautiful! She weighed in at 7 lbs. 1 oz. and is 19 inches long. The birth was normal, without incident and she was "perfect" in every way. She took a long time to arrive, making for an eventful few weeks. Hereafter on this blog, she shall be referred to as "Baby Girl" as her cousin is now "Girlfriend". I shall post pictures as soon as I find the cord to the computer and phone and camera! AGAIN!
The last few weeks have been quite exciting. I boarded a plane on July 5th heading for Long Beach, CA, due to the fact that my daughter was having contractions that had been strong enough to be monitored at the hospital. Since this had occurred only for three days with her first child, it was assumed that Baby Girl was on her way. The next few days went the same...and then the contractions stopped...and started again...stopped and started again. The Dr. thought on Monday that it would definitely be that week. Baby Girl liked to tease us...the contractions kept us up several nights, and two more trips to the hospital worth...She seemed to be saying, "Yes, I coming on out to play today! No! I'm not! Just kidding!" This went on for several days.
I was beginning to feel discouraged. Seeing my daughter in actual pain, with strong contractions and even some breathing issues for so long was difficult enough in itself. Thinking I would have to come hoime before the birth was very disturbing. Fortunately for the children on the AZ side of my life, they had their aunt available as well as a "sister" and her family visiting. (Another day, another story) So, I was able to stay another week.
I made some "cook ahead" freezable dishes for my daughter to bake and eat on days when her husband, a doctor, has to work late or overnight. I cleaned everything I could find to clean. I washed up all the laundry the closets and drawers would hold. Apparently that worked for Baby Girl. She must have realized that Grandma had done everything necessary to perpare for her arrival.
So, on July 20, the water broke! YAY! Into the hospital we went, knowing we would not be sent home this time! There was still a long labor ahead, but our Baby Girl arrived in perfect order.
In the waiting time, I had quite an interesting time. We took public transportation all over Long Beach. Met lots of interesting people. It was obvious at times that certain types of people did not want to sit with certain other types. But overall, most people were friendly and courteous to one another, especially a pregnant woman with a toddler in tow.
We visited the library for story time. (I will try to post video of that later...I promise...not too much later...just check in a few days!)
One day we went to the pier and watched some boats take off for Catalina Island. It was a speed boat race. Quite a sight! There was a fireboat spraying water for a display of its powers and to make its prescence known should there be a need. Due to the crowds there, we decided to go on to Seal Beach, where Mr. Boo could play in the water. We had such a blast! We and I jumped the waves and waded out as deep as we dared. We found shells, seaweed, and some interesting critters. We built sandcastles (more or less) and had a great time. We had hoped that Mommy walking in the sand might trigger Baby Girl to decide to come out and play with us...
But the great thing is, that she came at just the right time! You see, her middle name, Elaine, was given in honor of her daddy's grandmother, Elaine, who passed away a few years ago. Grandma Elaine's birthday was July 21, so I guess our little one wanted to share the date as well as the name. This did make Great-grandpa very happy!
Well,now I am back to the drawing board as they say, which, actually, is quite appropriate right now. I am in the final stages of planning Handsome's third grade school year. And of course, Girlfriend's preschool year as well.
Hope all is well with the readers of this blog. I did learn a lesson through all of this: All things good are worth waiting for...and God has a better plan than I do!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Come On Out and Play!
Here I sit. On Friday evening, yes after my dose of silliness with Girlfriend, I boarded a plane for Long Beach, CA. The reason: My daughter informed me that she was having consistent contractions on her way to having my next grandaughter! Her doctor said she predicted it would be soon and quick. So, I got on a plane and headed here.
So much for doctor's predictions! We have walked many miles all over downtown and between, trying to keep the contractions going. They seem to start and go for hours, seeming like they are intensifying. Then they suddenly (or sometimes gradually) stop. (or lessen in intensity and frequency). It is like the baby is playing a game of "I want to come out and play today! No, I don't! I was just kidding!"
This has been going on the whole time I have been here. She is dialated to 3 which is where she got stuck on her first child. For two days! So, if that pattern continues, tomorrow will be day 2 of that. The difference is that her actual due date is not until July 26. Her first child was born exactly on his due date.
But, this one is a GIRL! Girls don't do things the same way as boys...at least not when they start life out with a big brother already! I do believe the doctor that this one will not make it to her due date. I certainly hope not! My budget cannot afford for me to miss out on the money making opportunities back home for more than a week. And, then, my hubby is already missing me! And he has a work sponsored retreat on the 23-25th that he desires me to attend with him.
So, here we sit. Doctor says Baby Girl is ready...now mom is trying to get ready...so, we wait for God to get ready, I guess. My daughter is still contracting. So, here is hoping we get a baby really soon...for her sake...I think she has had enough of those contractions. I did not labor this way. I guess I was fortunate. I had 3 babies. With first girl I just started contracting and she came out 18 hours later. The second, a boy,got in a hurry to compete with his sis in life, and only took 6 hours after one day of pre-contractions and a day of nothing in between. His little sis (this daughter I write about today) did likewise...only nine hours instead of six. And that was that! No long days of contractions getting nowhere...well, I guess if you have to do it this way, then they ARE getting somewhere...if nothing more than getting out of the way!
This is difficult for me. I don't want to miss my grandaughter's birth! I can barely stand to see my daughter hurt so much so long. So, if you have an "in" with God, please ask Him to help us out a bit! I am trying to wait patiently...but I don't do that very well...I know, I know, perhaps that is what He is trying to teach me! He has been trying to teach me that for a very long time. Good thing HE waits well!
So, Little One, Precious Babe, Come on out and play! Grandma is waiting!
So much for doctor's predictions! We have walked many miles all over downtown and between, trying to keep the contractions going. They seem to start and go for hours, seeming like they are intensifying. Then they suddenly (or sometimes gradually) stop. (or lessen in intensity and frequency). It is like the baby is playing a game of "I want to come out and play today! No, I don't! I was just kidding!"
This has been going on the whole time I have been here. She is dialated to 3 which is where she got stuck on her first child. For two days! So, if that pattern continues, tomorrow will be day 2 of that. The difference is that her actual due date is not until July 26. Her first child was born exactly on his due date.
But, this one is a GIRL! Girls don't do things the same way as boys...at least not when they start life out with a big brother already! I do believe the doctor that this one will not make it to her due date. I certainly hope not! My budget cannot afford for me to miss out on the money making opportunities back home for more than a week. And, then, my hubby is already missing me! And he has a work sponsored retreat on the 23-25th that he desires me to attend with him.
So, here we sit. Doctor says Baby Girl is ready...now mom is trying to get ready...so, we wait for God to get ready, I guess. My daughter is still contracting. So, here is hoping we get a baby really soon...for her sake...I think she has had enough of those contractions. I did not labor this way. I guess I was fortunate. I had 3 babies. With first girl I just started contracting and she came out 18 hours later. The second, a boy,got in a hurry to compete with his sis in life, and only took 6 hours after one day of pre-contractions and a day of nothing in between. His little sis (this daughter I write about today) did likewise...only nine hours instead of six. And that was that! No long days of contractions getting nowhere...well, I guess if you have to do it this way, then they ARE getting somewhere...if nothing more than getting out of the way!
This is difficult for me. I don't want to miss my grandaughter's birth! I can barely stand to see my daughter hurt so much so long. So, if you have an "in" with God, please ask Him to help us out a bit! I am trying to wait patiently...but I don't do that very well...I know, I know, perhaps that is what He is trying to teach me! He has been trying to teach me that for a very long time. Good thing HE waits well!
So, Little One, Precious Babe, Come on out and play! Grandma is waiting!
The Sillies
Some days you just can't justify a nap! Girlfriend and I have a routine for hers. I lie beside her and we sing songs together. We have a regular routine. "Do Your Ears Hang Low"..."ABCs"..."Twinkle, Twinkle"..."The Itsy Bitsy Spider"..."Achen Drum"..."3 Little Ducks"..."Five Little Ducks"..."Jesus Loves Me"...and then I go away and the Princess sleeps.
Last Friday, she was seeing very little need for a nap. I rarely try to make her sleep. I do, however, insist upon her resting in bed, which usually results in her falling asleep. But, it was Friday! She had such a good time singing, but the two duck songs in a row with their "quack, quack, quacks" at the end, was just to much to resist. Off she went to Sillyville, quacking away repeatedly.
Grandma said, "Well, if we can't stop being silly, maybe we will have to stop singing the duckie songs at nap time."
To which she replied, "Ptew!"
I said, "What was that about?"
She said, "I just spit out my sillies!" To which we both cracked (er, I mean quacked) up! So much for spitting out any silliness!
I think she did actually fall asleep eventually, having tuckered herself out being silly!
But, as I said, some days you just can't justify a nap!
Last Friday, she was seeing very little need for a nap. I rarely try to make her sleep. I do, however, insist upon her resting in bed, which usually results in her falling asleep. But, it was Friday! She had such a good time singing, but the two duck songs in a row with their "quack, quack, quacks" at the end, was just to much to resist. Off she went to Sillyville, quacking away repeatedly.
Grandma said, "Well, if we can't stop being silly, maybe we will have to stop singing the duckie songs at nap time."
To which she replied, "Ptew!"
I said, "What was that about?"
She said, "I just spit out my sillies!" To which we both cracked (er, I mean quacked) up! So much for spitting out any silliness!
I think she did actually fall asleep eventually, having tuckered herself out being silly!
But, as I said, some days you just can't justify a nap!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Eight Kids and NOT Counting!
That's right! At this moment in time, there are eight children runnning (literally) around the house! You see, we have visitors, extended family, with whom Handsome, Hunky, and Girlfriend went camping last weekend. They consist of: Nine-year old twin boys, a four year old boy, and a two-year old girl. That makes seven! And then, for the moment, we have one of the boys of my daughter's best friend, who is seven. His mom had to go to the hospital to encourage a friend who is having a baby.
It resembles mild bedlam around here. Perhaps I shouldn't actually say that, as they really are being quite good...for SIX BOYS and two little girls! Three are playing WII, two are playing squirt gun, one is laying down for a "nap",(more or less) and two are watching TV. It could be MUCH worse. The noise level rises and subsides, depending on the game results, and water-gun surprises.
The entire day has been weird. They slept in and ate breakfast in strange shifts, mostly two at a time! This continued up until the normal lunch time for us. Then the routine began again. Usually, I have planned activites and organized games. But trying to find such that would achieve the cooperation of all eight, would be really close to a miracle. Just having them taking turns on their own, and not having "issues" with each other, is close enough to a miracle for me, to not interrupt a good thing!
Speaking of friends having babies...this girl was due two days before my other daughter...in two weeks! I am hoping perhaps, that all this contractions and pain that my daughter has endured over the last few days will mean that our little one will make her appearance soon as well. I have my bags all packed and am ready to go. All I need is a phone call and an airline ticket and I'm out the door!
Today would be a good day for a departure...but, alas, she is on her way to the doctor for a routine visit, not expecting any news of delivery soon. Her contractions have been inconsistent, both in duration and strength. It is hard to believe they haven't accomplished anything, though. Her first child was not quite this difficult to get here. I wish I had the option of just going there to be with her until the time comes...but I don't. For several reasons. My daughter here could find someone to help her with the kids, but I cannot afford the time off. And
I also have some commitments both in church and community that I can only void when actually necessary. I will, however, be making phone calls along that line this evening! And, besides, my husband is no longer a bachelor...and no longer lives like one. I don't want my garden or house neglected...he will take good care of the dogs!
Today there are eight kids in the house. That does not bother me...mostly. I can handle 60 or 70 kids in VBS or Kids Church, or half that in a classroom...
Somehow, a home setting is different...oh well, it is NOT my house! Ha ha!
So, today there are eight kids here...perhaps next week there will be more...but for now, I am NOT counting...
It resembles mild bedlam around here. Perhaps I shouldn't actually say that, as they really are being quite good...for SIX BOYS and two little girls! Three are playing WII, two are playing squirt gun, one is laying down for a "nap",(more or less) and two are watching TV. It could be MUCH worse. The noise level rises and subsides, depending on the game results, and water-gun surprises.
The entire day has been weird. They slept in and ate breakfast in strange shifts, mostly two at a time! This continued up until the normal lunch time for us. Then the routine began again. Usually, I have planned activites and organized games. But trying to find such that would achieve the cooperation of all eight, would be really close to a miracle. Just having them taking turns on their own, and not having "issues" with each other, is close enough to a miracle for me, to not interrupt a good thing!
Speaking of friends having babies...this girl was due two days before my other daughter...in two weeks! I am hoping perhaps, that all this contractions and pain that my daughter has endured over the last few days will mean that our little one will make her appearance soon as well. I have my bags all packed and am ready to go. All I need is a phone call and an airline ticket and I'm out the door!
Today would be a good day for a departure...but, alas, she is on her way to the doctor for a routine visit, not expecting any news of delivery soon. Her contractions have been inconsistent, both in duration and strength. It is hard to believe they haven't accomplished anything, though. Her first child was not quite this difficult to get here. I wish I had the option of just going there to be with her until the time comes...but I don't. For several reasons. My daughter here could find someone to help her with the kids, but I cannot afford the time off. And
I also have some commitments both in church and community that I can only void when actually necessary. I will, however, be making phone calls along that line this evening! And, besides, my husband is no longer a bachelor...and no longer lives like one. I don't want my garden or house neglected...he will take good care of the dogs!
Today there are eight kids in the house. That does not bother me...mostly. I can handle 60 or 70 kids in VBS or Kids Church, or half that in a classroom...
Somehow, a home setting is different...oh well, it is NOT my house! Ha ha!
So, today there are eight kids here...perhaps next week there will be more...but for now, I am NOT counting...
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