Happy B-Day Phil

So now he's a quarter of a century, and almost half my age. We'll be geriatrics together some day...For once we had a mild weekend weather-wise, and the snow is going fast. The weather forecast is for maybe snow this weekend, so we'll see what develops.

I'm going to add some photos of our quick trip to Las Vegas. We saw the Hoover Dam and drove around Red Rock Canyon. For shows we went to performances of the Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil "Love" (tribute to the Beatles.) They were both very good, and we used our earplugs at BMG, so we could hear later... It was great to enjoy blue sky and sunshine! (The sun was shining today, so it was great in Colorado too!) Amazing how we appreciate the sun, especially when we haven't seen or felt it lately.
For Phil's birthday dinner we went to Hacienda Colorado for some yummy Mexican food. We thought of you Kristen, but didn't save any...If you clicked on the link I tried to add it took you to the Hoover Dam site instead of Cirque du Soleil...Every time I have tried to add links to this post the words go into cyberspace...if you are interested, we saw the BMG at the Venetian, and the Beatles tribute at the Mirage...Las Vegas casinos are amazing, wear your walking shoes...

It Snowed Again, must be leaving town...

This is a quick insert, if anyone is even reading this, to say that we left town for a few days of R&R, and of COURSE it was SNOWING as my friends drove me out to the airport...same old same old...we are doing a quiet version of Las Vegas, no Celine Dion for this girl, because we didn't check the schedule, and she's on VACATION after tonight for a month, so oh well, maybe we'll check out something else. For sure a trip to Hoover Dam, and a walk around the casinos to see all the funny people who play to lose.
We don't anticipate adding much to the economy down here...and we have no email access at the time share we are staying at (if you are wondering how I can do this it is because I came early to the airport for this very reason) I am picking up B after his seminar trip to Phoenix ended today and he is flying in so we can do the tourist bit for a few days.) We will get back home on Friday (ANOTHER STORM is in the forecast, so what else is new)

anyone want to make a bet? we're in the right place for it...this airport is a happening place, I don't think it is ever quiet around here.

More Snow, even Tucson got Hit!

This has truly been an interesting winter. We have a circular driveway in front of our house but it has about three feet of packed snow, so there is a little path from the street to the front door for the paper to get delivered, and a shoveled driveway to the garage. This makes it a LITTLE tricky to park cars when we try to come and go, as there are four drivers and only room to place three vehicles without blocking someone. At the moment my car is parked in Michelle's garage at her condo, and she and I are using her little car which was actually CLEAN for half a day on Saturday, then more new snow hit overnight, and Phil drove her car because she has decent studded snow tires, and he needed to get to work so he could sell snowblowers to OTHER PEOPLE. We were only supposed to get a few inches, but the weathernen were a little mistaken about the total.

White is getting a little too bright. At least the sun is supposed to be out for the next week and we should get some serious melting. Pretty soon people will be complaining about the flooding from all the snow melting too fast. We always need to have an excuse to complain. Talking to my sister last night, they were getting a few inches of snow in Tucson. I guess El Nino is for real this year.

Kristen has some great ice pix on her blog, they are getting snow finally, winter is here for real. We are ready for some warmer weather. I sure appreciate days over 50 degrees when we get them. That seems really warm right now.

New Year, New Stuff

Well I had great intentions of getting our holiday epistle written early and sent out in a timely manner, as well as the handmade gifts (which will be great next year, provided I get started on them soon while the ideas are fresh in my memory banks) The birth of our wonderful grandbaby changed a lot of my plans, as well as the delay in getting home because of the snow in Denver. Everybody was saving the put-up-the-tree and decorations for me to do when I got home, so we looked like the Grinch house, no tree, no lights outside, no foo-foo dust catchers, although Brian did snatch a tree from his office decorations, and they set up an olive wood nativity. Even without decorating for it, Christmas came anyway, and we had a great time; best of all was the fantastic meal prepared for us by Debbie and Jeff --they give the BEST Christmas gift I can think of each year when they make Christmas dinner for our family. This year it was doubly appreciated, as I didn't even get home until 4pm on Christmas Day, so the welcoming aromas and delicious food were even better than usual.

The day after Christmas was very educational and somewhat traumatic, as we found out that Michelle has Type 1 Diabetes, and spent four hours in the ER after learning that her blood sugar and ketones were at toxic levels. The two weeks since then have been filled with nutrition data/blood glucose monitoring/insulin training/ pharmacy runs/ and grocery shopping. We all have a lot of information overload to deal with, and doctor visits/ dosage management training/ low blood sugar scares, etc etc. (I used to look at nutrition labels just for calories and fat grams; then for sodium and cholesterol bad stuff; now we are focusing on carbs, carbs vs fiber, and protein, as well, so we are pretty much looking at the whole label, which makes for a slow go at the grocery store.)

Last weekend I was able to attend my nephew David B's wedding in Corona CA. It was great to get together with some of my sibs, and see several nephews and nieces and their kids. The trip out there was filled with adventure, as Denver has been afflicted with even more snow, not the nice mild winters we are used to, but blizzardy storms, round 1 was just before Christmas, 2 hit just before New Years, 3 was in full swing as Brian drove me toward the airport (it took us 90 minutes to make the 45 minute trip at 4am, and my plane had to be de-iced before we could take off, then we sat for over 30 minutes before we could leave---I missed my connection in Phoenix, and had a two+ hour layover before the windy, rocky trip to Ontario) The trip back on Sunday was pretty smooth, except for the drive home in GROUND BLIZZARDS and gale-force winds that were category 1-3 hurricane force, and caused many accidents because of drifts. Round 4 is coming this weekend with sub-zero temperatures. So much for the drought around here, at least that is one blessing from the snow. (Brian suggested that I should look for a house in Phoenix during my unexpected layover, and he was only partially kidding...)

Despite maybe sounding like a DebbieDowner, we feel greatly blessed. We are all looking forward to having good things happen in 2007. Chase is already a month old (today) and brings joy to my heart every time I see a picture of him. Also, we have a wonderful family and friends right here to enjoy, and loved ones all across the country. Life is truly good. Plus, I have a great craft project to make in my spare moments, courtesy of my sister Deb.

Okay, so maybe things could be worse...

I've had a really enjoyable time here in Buffalo, but a lot of things have not been done as far as getting seriously ready for Christmas, and my plan was to leave right after finals ended for Aaron. By now things have started to calm down for this little family, and they are ready for some nesting/nurturing time together. . . . Well guess what, Mother Nature has dealt a wild hand, with a MAJOR blizzard hitting Denver today. . . Like, the snow was forecast, already, but this is way over-the-top-snowfall. Jeffco schools NEVER close, and they closed early this morning before the snow seemed so serious. By the time I am posting this, Brian and Phil have shoveled several times to take care of the 18 or so inches that have fallen. B closed his office early this afternoon after seeing a few hardy souls, then got home to begin the snow removal (at 2:30 there was already a foot of snow to move.) Phil was scheduled to work today--he was in the perfect department at Sears, and sold about $5,000 in snowblowers, before they closed the malls at 2pm. Sounds like he had a harried ride home in all the white stuff. . . Long story short, MY FLIGHT TODAY WAS CANCELLED and rescheduled until tomorrow morning, and then MY FLIGHT TOMORROW WAS CANCELLED, and when I called to reschedule...I WON'T GET HOME UNTIL CHRISTMAS DAY!!! so what kind of grinchy trick is that to pull on us all?

Some day this will seem more amusing than it does now--I was even PACKED!

Little Peanut in a Peanut Shell Sling

So this is one of those wonderful accessories that babies love. On my trip out here I saw a woman putting her baby in one of these slings, and asked her what she thought of it; her baby looked really content, and she told me that she also uses it for her toddler on her hip, so I asked her where she got it. She gave me the website, and the rest is history. Chase is a fan, as you can see, and went to sleep almost as soon as he was placed in there. What will they think of next? All these moms with their tried-and-true products. . . .

I have been amused to notice how much unsolicited advice I get just by standing in front of the baby "stuff" section in stores. Moms really want to share their opinions.

I used to think there weren't a lot of cute clothes for boys

Well this is the cutest outfit I have seen in a long time, and it is just the right size for Chase. By next week or so it might be a little tight, so it's a good thing Kristen wanted to try it on. She is fortunate to have generous friends and inlaws who have loaned/given a variety of baby items, especially newborn size clothes, to augment his wardrobe. Chase is eating like he means it, and creating regular wardrobe malfunctions, so wears something different fairly often each day. Grandpa S asked if Chase stayed in his "street clothes," but he has had several costume changes during the past few days, and creates some hefty diapers. He's growing chunkier every day, and sleeps (some) longer stretches. I will miss this little guy when I leave in two days.

Grandpa came for a day!

Grandpa couldn't stand to miss out on the fun, so he grabbed a "quick" flight (which was then delayed so that it actually left Chicago when it should have been landing in Buffalo), and then got a little fix of "Grandpa" time holding the bebe' on Friday before taking an early Saturday morning flight back home to Denver. It was a not-to-be-missed experience to hold Kristen's Little on his one week "birthday" and Grandpa was very satisfied with the trip. I am sure we'll come again as often as possible, this Grandma, especially.

Beautiful Baby

What a sweet boy! Is there anything else to talk about right now? There are other things going on in the world? I am sure that there are things to be concerned about, but they can wait a few more days, and when I get back home to my regular routine I'll remember some of this serious baby time. These photos were taken yesterday, each day he seems to look a little different, and it won't be long before the tiny onesies are too little for this little man...

If he looks tired it's because he is tired...except at 3am

Okay, so now I remember the sleep deprivation new moms go through, because this grandma is trying to help keep little Chase quiet so his mama can get some rest, and so his daddy can feel better able to study/sleep/focus on finals/think, etc.

He is such a beautiful baby, we just like to look at him all day, and he really likes to snuggle. He has nuzzled into my chin more than once, so already girls have to be warned that this boy wants to neck...and he does it really well...I really like the new-baby part that lets the grandparent see more while physically feeling less, although it was really difficult to see Kristen suffer through the labor and delivery of this sweet little guy.

Everything sems to be great as far as C's getting-used-to-life-on-the-outside, and K and A are going to do just great as parents, so they just take things one day at a time, and we get through the night one hour at a time with the life of the party. Right now Chase is certainly running the show, plus he's the star atraction! For Kristen's play by play account check out their blog. You can use the link to the right.

We Have a Boy!

What a cutie! I think (as an objective viewer grandma) that he is the most beautiful baby in town! Chase was born last night, weighs 7lbs 4oz, and 20 1/2 inches, and looks a LOT like his mama's baby pix. These are just a few of the many photos that we got last night, then gotta get on the road to the hospital to see the H fam again. I am sore from the effort of helping hold Kristen's shoulders and head up as she pushed, what a great moment it was to be there as Chase was born. It was truly awesome.

On Self Improvement

Winnie the Pooh and Piglet--love those guys!

Let the Countdown Begin

Still no baby to report. If you are paying attention to the time showing on any of my entries it may seem unusually early. The computer thinks it is at our house, so it is on Mountain time instead of Eastern Standard Time. Just another quirk, and I'll add to it by putting on the countdown to Christmas (which is more accurate for folks west of the Mississippi)
Get Myspace Christmas Countdown

So since we don't know the countdown until Baby, we can still amuse ourselves with a clock that keeps going and going and going... I know that Christmas will come earlier here in the East, but I like to be on top of things at home.

I didn't win the baby birth contest

Here we are in December and I didn't guess the correct date, but no one else has won yet. We are in waiting mode, and doing lots of walking, which is not quite so pleasant being outdoors, because the wind is wicked right now, and the rain/sleet mix has hit a few times. This makes going to the mall or WalMart or Target or grocery or Sam's Club, or the post office a whole new kind of trip.

I am comfortable driving to Wegman's (the nearest grocery, and the most posh grocery store I have ever been in--we were there on Saturday and the sample lady at the specialty foods section was offering four types of CAVIAR!!!) They are so posh they have all sizes of disposable diapers (complimentary, of course) in their ladies restrooms (and maybe the men's too, but didn't want to check) and a convenient display and put-one-in-your-cart-rack of soaps and lotions like the ones for use when you washed your hands, placed just outside the restroom so it is fresh in your mind.

The hospital route is also very easy and conveniently nearby, which should be okay even if the weather is the pits, except for the part about the construction zone they have placed right at the entrance and labor/delivery/new mother end of the hospital which is being enlarged and renovated. If we go during normal daytime hours there is valet parking available, and an assortment of wheelchairs at the parking lot end of a 100+ foot temporary covered corridor, then past the security guards and up the elevator to the second floor, right to the nurses' station at labor/delivery. After 8:30 at night we are to go to the ER entrance, and drop her off, then park and hoof it back to try to find her, or depending on what's happening with Kristen they may do valet parking from there as well. . . .that part wasn't explained in detail. . . .

Last Thursday (rain and wind) we attended a maternity ward tour, and it was very helpful to see all the areas she'll be in and where they are, so on D-DAY it should be much less stressful (for this Grandma, anyway, don't know for the Mom and Dad) to get there. Anyway, I'm sure we'll tell you way more than you ever wanted to know about the whole thing, because this is BIG NEWS for us.

The ward here has had a baby explosion, and many more on the way, so meetings are a little noisier than I'm used to, with all the young ones and their siblings. It is fun to see all the baby gear there is, and how it gets used. Stuff I never knew about is commonplace, and so many toys are making a comeback. All the nostalgia items I recognize. . . .stuff for next Christmas. . . .

So What's the Rush?

Still no Baby, but he's sure a Mover! Last night Kristen placed a pencil on her "shelf" and it rolled off several times as a wave went by. Don't know how much longer she'll go. They have a betting pool going on for readers of Kristen's blog. I'm the only one thinking this should be a November baby. Everone who has hazarded a guess is December 5th or later. But hey, I want to get in some serious baby time before my return to Colorado, so we're going for a walk at the mall to get gravity in play. Kristen has an OB appointment on Thursday, so that's a good day as far as I'm concerned for a baby to get serious.
Also the weather has been unseasonably warm and mild here for the past week, and that can't last, so this is a REALLY good time to head to the hospital. Come on Chase, let's see a little action! (as if I have any control of the situation)

Day after Thanksgiving

Well it's really quiet around here now. Brian, Phil and Michelle have all headed back to Colorado, and Aaron is industriously studying for his Anatomy finals, so Kristen and I are trying to be quiet. She is looking stuff up online for potential Christmas gifts, and I'm playing with the laptop we brought with us so that we could check our email daily. Now what would we do to entertain ourselves if we didn't have all the gadgets we like to play with???

Earlier today the girls went to get our hair "do-ed", with cuts and some color. It was fun, and we liked the final products. Michelle especially had a change, with a new cut, Kristen got a new color, and I had a minimal-change cut, but a maximum-out-of-the-comfort-zone highlights. We have been admiring ourselves all day.

Tomorrow we'll hit the mall to walk around for a while to see if we can get this baby business underway. In a few more days Kristen will feel a lot less like walking, so if we're going to get any actual shopping done it had better be soon!

First Post--this is scary

Okay, this is a scary thing to do, but Kristen has been a good example of journaling, and this is a good way to play at being a techno-whiz while spending time at the computa. She is going to show me how to put pictures in and make this look like I know what I'm doing. (now if I had only learned how to use the keyboard better...) but all of you reading this don't have to know how long it takes to type a sentence or correct all the typos that magically appear when I look up from the keys...so now I want to see what it looks like when I put it on the blog! (which will probably be boring for a while, although I am in a very good place to learn from my daughter...)

For those of you who are not yet aware, Kristen and her husband Aaron are living in Buffalo NY so that Aaron can attend dental school at the University of Buffalo, and he is almost 12% finished with the program...they came out here with our first ever grandchild, who is due to be born on or about December 9th. My fam and I came out to spend Thanksgiving week with them (Brian closed his office for the week before T-Day); and they (Brian, Phil, and Michelle) will head back to Colorado on Friday so that they can get back to work and school, etc etc, while I get to stay here and play GRAMMY!!! My plans are to stay, give support, fix meals, and hold the baby, so it's time to get with the program, baby Chase!

I will have plenty of pictures and stuff to put in this blog, so the time to learn is now. (Hopefully things will improve as we go along, doncha know!) Meanwhile, looking forward to the wonderful Thanksgiving meal we get to enjoy and the wonderful people we get to eat it with tomorrow at Dave and Melba's house. seeyabye