Sunday, March 16, 2014
ADJUSTING
This first year of widowhood is all about adjusting. To the new, single life. Finding friends at the same stage of life. Looking for a hobby or a passion.
The past two weeks have gone by in a whirl! The baby had to be at the doctor's office almost every day (jaundice) and on Friday was pronounced to be gaining weight and no need to come in until Monday. On Tuesday he will be circumcised. Poor dude!
I just did a crazy thing to help with adjusting. I invested in an adjustable king size bed! It's two extra long twin beds so each side can do their own thing. Now when I have a grandkid over to spend the night, he can sleep and I can sit up and read. Or write. Or watch a movie.
The past two weeks have gone by in a whirl! The baby had to be at the doctor's office almost every day (jaundice) and on Friday was pronounced to be gaining weight and no need to come in until Monday. On Tuesday he will be circumcised. Poor dude!
I just did a crazy thing to help with adjusting. I invested in an adjustable king size bed! It's two extra long twin beds so each side can do their own thing. Now when I have a grandkid over to spend the night, he can sleep and I can sit up and read. Or write. Or watch a movie.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
TIS TUESDAY ... already
Oh my. Life with a newborn, a three year old, a 65 lb dog and two kidults is chaotic!
Deacon has jaundice so every day we spend about four hours driving to and from appointment that lasts 90 minutes or more. Two appointments on Monday. He's been losing weight but has turned the corner on that. One week old tomorrow!
Braeden went to his favorite sitter for five hours then took a 3 hour nap! He is such a sweetie. He is helpful to Momma and is eating a lot so I'm guessing we'll soon be getting a bigger size of clothing. And shoes.
Gramma Laura popped over after work tonight. She got to hold him and feed him (breast milk) and then took the four of them out for dinner. I needed some downtime as I'm trying NOT to catch a cold. Unpacked a bit. Earlier Jesse loaded up the new minivan for a trip to Goodwill. Reloaded for a trip tomorrow. AND broke down all the millions of boxes from baby goods and unpacked stuff.
Not much time for being an awkward widow. The salesman from the dealer 30 miles away came to pick me up to get my grandmother-mobile on Sunday. A girlfriend met me at Alamo last night to return the rental van. We then had a nice, quiet, relaxing dinner. Another doctor visit for Deacon with the good news he has gained 1/2 an ounce and the billirubin level has lowered. So we get Wednesday off.
I, for one, plan to sleep in!
Deacon has jaundice so every day we spend about four hours driving to and from appointment that lasts 90 minutes or more. Two appointments on Monday. He's been losing weight but has turned the corner on that. One week old tomorrow!
Braeden went to his favorite sitter for five hours then took a 3 hour nap! He is such a sweetie. He is helpful to Momma and is eating a lot so I'm guessing we'll soon be getting a bigger size of clothing. And shoes.
Torn and tattered without much tail left ... Lyly has been Braeden's best friend for almost three and a half years ...
Gramma Laura popped over after work tonight. She got to hold him and feed him (breast milk) and then took the four of them out for dinner. I needed some downtime as I'm trying NOT to catch a cold. Unpacked a bit. Earlier Jesse loaded up the new minivan for a trip to Goodwill. Reloaded for a trip tomorrow. AND broke down all the millions of boxes from baby goods and unpacked stuff.
Not much time for being an awkward widow. The salesman from the dealer 30 miles away came to pick me up to get my grandmother-mobile on Sunday. A girlfriend met me at Alamo last night to return the rental van. We then had a nice, quiet, relaxing dinner. Another doctor visit for Deacon with the good news he has gained 1/2 an ounce and the billirubin level has lowered. So we get Wednesday off.
I, for one, plan to sleep in!
Saturday, March 8, 2014
SATURDAY MORNING WITH BRAEDEN
Being in charge of a three year old while the parents and new baby are at the hospital is certainly different than my slow days in Maui. All for the better, I might say!
I try to get up an hour before he does so I can enjoy my coffee and computer because as soon as he is awake, he is constant motion and constant conversation. What amazing thinkers these little people are. Braeden is very good at expressing his emotions, which was important to his Mom. (She always kept hers inside until she would burst). And he cracks me up sometimes!
I so sad Gramma. Because you won't give me a cookie right now. You don't understand me. I no want chicken today. No nap today the sun is out. (See it's easier for napping in the grey northwest!)
We have a battle of wills at least once a day. One night it was said chicken (he ate three bites) Yesterday morning it was scrambled eggs. At first he explained he was very sick in his tummy and his Mom should take him to the doctor. But he then fessed up that eggs did not taste good today and his tummy was full (which it was!)
Best of all, I now stop and notice the small things in life. A pinecone (soon turned into a grenade). Red berries on the bush for the birdies ... he picked some and put them in a little pile on top of a rock. A small fallen twig that is easily turned into a "shooter." He only shoots bad guys on their feet. Let's go for a walk Gramma, the sun is out today.
Fortunately, I can easily get him to run an errand every day by letting him play with toddler games on my iPhone
I'm thinking the family will be released today. And then the real work will begin!
I try to get up an hour before he does so I can enjoy my coffee and computer because as soon as he is awake, he is constant motion and constant conversation. What amazing thinkers these little people are. Braeden is very good at expressing his emotions, which was important to his Mom. (She always kept hers inside until she would burst). And he cracks me up sometimes!
I so sad Gramma. Because you won't give me a cookie right now. You don't understand me. I no want chicken today. No nap today the sun is out. (See it's easier for napping in the grey northwest!)
We have a battle of wills at least once a day. One night it was said chicken (he ate three bites) Yesterday morning it was scrambled eggs. At first he explained he was very sick in his tummy and his Mom should take him to the doctor. But he then fessed up that eggs did not taste good today and his tummy was full (which it was!)
Best of all, I now stop and notice the small things in life. A pinecone (soon turned into a grenade). Red berries on the bush for the birdies ... he picked some and put them in a little pile on top of a rock. A small fallen twig that is easily turned into a "shooter." He only shoots bad guys on their feet. Let's go for a walk Gramma, the sun is out today.
Fortunately, I can easily get him to run an errand every day by letting him play with toddler games on my iPhone
I'm thinking the family will be released today. And then the real work will begin!
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
BABY BOOTH ARRIVED TODAY!
Wowza! Baby Booth arrived this morning at 8:00 am (via c-section). He weighed in at 8 lbs and 3 oz and is 21 inches tall.
Last night Braeden spent the night with his favorite Second Mom and best friend Caden (age 4). Which left the three of us rushing around til midnight setting up a changing station, organizing tiny clothes, two of them packing suitcases for overnight. Kate had to be at the hospital at 5:30 am!!!! So up at 4:00 am, loading the car in the pouring rain ... and arrived 5 minutes early.
I dropped them off and headed straight for Starbucks (thank goodness they opened at 4:00 am ....) It was a traumatic start ... it took FIVE tries to secure the IV. Ouch!
Jesse was the only one allowed in the OR with her. I'm kinda glad he DID go in ... he thought the whole procedure was pretty "rough" how they had to twist and turn to get baby out. But by skipping 27 hours of labor and pushing and suction ... he arrived a lot more mellow (and no cone head!)
Me and Jesse got to hold him and reassure him about the shots and eye drops and first bath. Once Mom returned, I was booted out for what they said would be about an hour. So I stayed.
Two and a half hours later, best friend Meagan arrived so I left to go pick up Big Brover.
Last night Braeden spent the night with his favorite Second Mom and best friend Caden (age 4). Which left the three of us rushing around til midnight setting up a changing station, organizing tiny clothes, two of them packing suitcases for overnight. Kate had to be at the hospital at 5:30 am!!!! So up at 4:00 am, loading the car in the pouring rain ... and arrived 5 minutes early.
I dropped them off and headed straight for Starbucks (thank goodness they opened at 4:00 am ....) It was a traumatic start ... it took FIVE tries to secure the IV. Ouch!
Jesse was the only one allowed in the OR with her. I'm kinda glad he DID go in ... he thought the whole procedure was pretty "rough" how they had to twist and turn to get baby out. But by skipping 27 hours of labor and pushing and suction ... he arrived a lot more mellow (and no cone head!)
Me and Jesse got to hold him and reassure him about the shots and eye drops and first bath. Once Mom returned, I was booted out for what they said would be about an hour. So I stayed.
Two and a half hours later, best friend Meagan arrived so I left to go pick up Big Brover.
Love at first sight!
Sunday, March 2, 2014
QUIET SUNDAY MORNING
I've decided I need my morning quiet time more than I need my 8-9 hours of sleep. Up at 7am to enjoy a very large cup of coffee. Everyone still sleeping soundly in their ice cold bedrooms while the dog slumbers at my feet (he was kinda irritated I took him out so early in the rainy 34 degree weather.) I'm probably going to hate my electric bill but Maui clothes are the only ones I can find right now! And one thin sweater!
Headlines are scanned, e-mails read (Sunday is a light day!) and Facebook viewed. I thought I better get in a blog while I can still think a bit.
It's a little bit of grieving as I go through Mr. Ralph's things here. A few tears with Kate when we remember where he got that t-shirt or that hat. And how many pairs of shoes he had. Who owns that many black belts!?? Braeden saying "I just want my Poppa back." And the funny stories begin. Memories! Even Braeden remembers some ... and he was just two and a half when Poppa died. So we will help him keep those memories alive.
Tomorrow is Jesse's (the Baby Dad ... no wedding yet after ten years) day off. I'm going to ask him to move all the boxes OUT of the living room (about 50 letter size storage boxes) and put them in the office. At least then we will have a serene living area and dining area. Today I hope to get the kitchen boxes emptied and everything into their proper place.
Happy chaos!
Headlines are scanned, e-mails read (Sunday is a light day!) and Facebook viewed. I thought I better get in a blog while I can still think a bit.
It's a little bit of grieving as I go through Mr. Ralph's things here. A few tears with Kate when we remember where he got that t-shirt or that hat. And how many pairs of shoes he had. Who owns that many black belts!?? Braeden saying "I just want my Poppa back." And the funny stories begin. Memories! Even Braeden remembers some ... and he was just two and a half when Poppa died. So we will help him keep those memories alive.
Tomorrow is Jesse's (the Baby Dad ... no wedding yet after ten years) day off. I'm going to ask him to move all the boxes OUT of the living room (about 50 letter size storage boxes) and put them in the office. At least then we will have a serene living area and dining area. Today I hope to get the kitchen boxes emptied and everything into their proper place.
Happy chaos!
Saturday, March 1, 2014
MARCH 2014 ... Really???
Where did January and February go? Maybe because I was living in and loving Maui instead of being snowed and iced in, the time just flew.
I made it back to Portland, Oregon Thursday evening and yesterday, it was SUNNY and 60 degrees! I needed a day like that for restocking the cupboards, getting my oh-so-pregnant daughter and family over here to the one level condo. But we sure have our work cut out for us!!
My darling tenants moved in all my stuff from storage (for a few sheckles). The furniture is all in the correct rooms along with boxes and boxes of stuff! The dining area is clear and serene now. The living room furniture is arranged so that the four of us can sit (oh, and Bosko the 65 lb. dog has his bed in here). I even remembered how to use three remotes so we can watch Netflix (haven't figured out the TV channel stuff yet).
Kate is most likely having a C-section next Wednesday so I'm thinking they should just move in a week's worth of clothing and shoes and toiletries and I'll take it from there. Lucky Mom and Dad (and new darling) get the master suite with the king bed. I have a queen air bed and now we need to get Braeden something to set up in my room. And a bassinet or co-sleeper for the new guy.
My goal is to pamper the Momma, play with Braeden and unpack a few boxes each day. Just keeping up with the feeding schedule of a Mom who only has tummy room for 2 oz at a time and a growing boy!
As long as I can have my quiet time with a mug of coffee before the chaos begins, I'm a happy Gramma!
P.S. Rainy and 45 today!
I made it back to Portland, Oregon Thursday evening and yesterday, it was SUNNY and 60 degrees! I needed a day like that for restocking the cupboards, getting my oh-so-pregnant daughter and family over here to the one level condo. But we sure have our work cut out for us!!
My darling tenants moved in all my stuff from storage (for a few sheckles). The furniture is all in the correct rooms along with boxes and boxes of stuff! The dining area is clear and serene now. The living room furniture is arranged so that the four of us can sit (oh, and Bosko the 65 lb. dog has his bed in here). I even remembered how to use three remotes so we can watch Netflix (haven't figured out the TV channel stuff yet).
Kate is most likely having a C-section next Wednesday so I'm thinking they should just move in a week's worth of clothing and shoes and toiletries and I'll take it from there. Lucky Mom and Dad (and new darling) get the master suite with the king bed. I have a queen air bed and now we need to get Braeden something to set up in my room. And a bassinet or co-sleeper for the new guy.
My goal is to pamper the Momma, play with Braeden and unpack a few boxes each day. Just keeping up with the feeding schedule of a Mom who only has tummy room for 2 oz at a time and a growing boy!
As long as I can have my quiet time with a mug of coffee before the chaos begins, I'm a happy Gramma!
P.S. Rainy and 45 today!
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