Random Thoughts

"One of the most powerful handclasps is that of a new grand baby around the finger of a grandfather." Joy Hargrove I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It seems like my emotions have turned upside down. Ever since I got the news yesterday that Gracie had been born, I've smiled like crazy on the inside and cried like a girl on the outside. I've tried to figure if it's an inner child issue, hormones, or the tears that come after finding out what you've been anxious about for months turned out okay. The baby was born quickly and safely. Her mom is a natural at giving birth. Her Grandpa arrived safely in Virginia after a 9 hour drive through the remnants of Hurricane Lee. What is there to cry about? Who knows? But I've been crying anyway. Grandpa Johnny called earlier to say he'd been given baby duty tonight which means he'll try to sleep in between bells ringing, nurses turning on the lights, and "Squirt" (as he affectionately calls her...

Eleyiana Grace Ellington Born: 1:05 pm Sept. 5, 2011 7lb. 5 oz. Be still my heart! Today I'm grateful for new life. I'm grateful for easy labors and safe deliveries. I'm grateful to the Divine Babymaker who keeps giving us little tiny bundles of love as a reminder that the world should go on. May your day be filled with newness and joy. Merry ME aka Great Grammy

NewNOMG! Boil some water! Start pacing the floor! Ashley's in labor. John is enroute. I'm sitting here feeling like the parade has passed me by. Gone are the days I could think fast on my feet, grab my purse and head out for a road trip. Dang! Stay tuned! Almost Great Grammy, Merry ME

"Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation." Lois Wyse Meet my great-granddaughter. May your world be filled with the magic of children, Merry ME

REUTERS/Yomiuri Shimbun Just when you thought it could, and surely would, only get worse, a miracle occurs. This four-month old baby girl was found amid the rubble and reunited with her parents 3 days after the quake. I have shied away from news reports of the Japanese disaster. It is too big for my mind or heart to comprehend. All I can think to do is pray. Perhaps, that prayer and the millions of others is the source of this miracle. May the Divine Miracle Worker be with you as you go through your days, Merry ME

"A new baby is like the beginning of all things - Wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities." "Edna J. Le Shan" Robert Warner "Bobby"Estrada Born: December 16th at 11:28pm, 8 lbs, 10 oz... Early and perfect! Proud Parents: My cousin Melanie and her husband, Bob Proud Grammy: My Aunt Letty Welcome, Bobby, may your world be full of love, joy, wonder and peace. May the Creator of all things watch over you and keep you safe. Smiling a big ol' smile, Merry ME

"Because time itself is like a spiral something special happens on your birthday each year; the same energy that God invested in you at birth is present once again." Menachem Mendel Schneerson It's hard to believe that a whole year has passed since we welcomed two little babies into the world. But it's true. Elliot and Alice Wichansky turned ONE today. What seems like it was only last month to ME probably feels like 100 years to E and A's mom and dad. A baby's first year is full of the wonderment of new life - experiencing all sorts of things for the first time. It is also fraught with sleepless nights, diapers too numerous to count, breast pumps and bottles, projectile vomiting, tears, vaccinations, runny noses, and if you live in the NW countless putting ons and taking offs of many-zippered snow suits. Now double that for twins. Whoowee! I get tired just thinking about it!. Most of you already know I am a true believer in birthday celebrations. I think eve...

"Babies! What a wonderful way to start people!" Mary Engelbreit Here's the newest member of my extended family: Christopher Carson Warner aka "Kit" Born: Feb. 18, 2009, 2:29AM, 8 lbs 9 oz. ProudMom & Dad: Steve and Aly Proud Grammy: Aunt Letty Welcome to the world Little Kit. May God bless you with love and joy and laughter for all your days.

"Babies are such a nice way to start people." Don Herrold Dear Chase, Good gracious, what was I thinking? You are just a little tyke and before you can do all that lofty "chasing" you've got to learn to walk. Not to mention, sleeping through the night, eating on some kind of schedule, holding your head up, smiling and cooing. I think all that other stuff is good information. I hope that you will be able to use it to your advantage as you grow up. But until then, here's some advice that is more age appropriate: Chase butterflies and fireflies on a warm summer day. Listen for the sound of garbage trucks and fire engines. Chase them to the end of the street. Chase your sisters with green spotted toads. Chase raindrops. Jump in puddles. Make mud pies. When a spoon won't work, chase peas around your plate with your fingers. Chase away the blues by looking at big puffy clouds while laying on your back in a field of soft green grass. Jumping in a pile of crisp...

"Good men must die, but death cannot kill their names" Proverb While I fumed about the small stuff last week a perfectly formed miracle, small by some standards, infinite by others was about to take place. On July 11 the newest member of my extended family was born. My daughter’s husband’s brother’s wife gave birth to their third child and first son. That makes me, in a round-about-extended way, a grandmother, doesn’t it? I wish I could hold him in my arms and look into what I’m sure are big round brown eyes and tell him how special he is. Alas, it’s true what they say … you can’t always get what you want. While his mom and dad are busy juggling feeding schedules and diaper changes, I’m several hundred miles away doing the same thing except the object of my concern is at the other end of the age spectrum. The next best thing to rocking him in the middle of the night will have to be this letter …. Dear Chase, Welcome to the world, little man! Everyone is so glad that you are ...

"Babies are such a nice way to start people." Don Herold Even though I missed posting yesterday, I feel like I can combine I and J easily by offering up a few photos of Little Miss Ivy Jane and still be up to date. I realize it's cheating a little, but since I missed the first four days of April and already failed at the NaBloMoPo monthly assignment, I'm kind of making my own rules as I go along! When it comes to baby reporting, I'm at a severe disadvantage. I live on one side of the country and Ivy lives on the other. I haven't been close enough to monitor her inch by inch growth, but I have a feeling she is into full baby mode. I'd bet she's smiling at her mom and dad, and slowly, but surely, wrapping them around her itsy bitsy tiny finger. It's funny how babies have a way of doing that and parent's don't even know they are being manipulated. They don't begin to get a clue until the day when their sweet angel child who has turned two ...

Once upon a time, in the land of evergreen trees, majestic mountains, and abundant flower markets, a baby was born. At twenty-nine minutes past the stroke of midnight, on the first day the new year, Ivy Jane Wichansky came into the world (in the words of her Aunt Wendy) "ready to rock." And just like that, the world was changed. What might have been just another ordinary year, with its usual hillocks to climb and valleys to cross, became a time of excitement. What could have been just a ho-hum day took on an air of expectation. Lights became brighter. Colors [especially pink] became more vibrant. Ordinary little body parts, like eyes and ears and fingers and toes, instantly became objects of wonder. Even poop took on an extraordinary air! Ivy Jane is not just any baby. To her parents, extended family and friends, she is unique. No one just like her will ever be born again. That is miracle enough. Yet, like all newborns, Ivy Jane came into the world bearing a single message. ...

Our family is growing by leaps and bounds. Just this year we've added a new bride, two fiances, and now a second baby. Wow! Yesterday, Gianna Ysabel Garcia came into the world. God has blessed her mom and dad, sisters, brother, Grandma, etc with another healthy and beautiful little girl. I can't wait to see a picture of her when her eyes are open and she's lost the I-just-got-born-give-a-girl-a-break-and-take-my-picture-later look. In honor of little Gianna here are a couple of special wishes added to my August 16th post - I wish for you: That your home is safe from fires, wind and earthquakes That you will honor and share your Latin heritage Welcome to the world little one. May God bless you and keep you. Merry ME