and there she is! #21! a picture, finally!

Well, there she is, little Miss Nicole Elizabeth!   I don't know why pictures are going on the blog now, but you can all see this newborn who has stolen my very heart.  She has had some ups and downs, but she's waking up more and responds to her mama and daddy!  She is just beautiful, and I love her so much.  (She has Thanatophoric skeletal dysplasia.   She is a miracle baby, and please, keep praying for her! )  

This is a pic from the shower, and I thought I'd leave it even though I previously posted a similar one.

A picture from August, Sonja and Oscar and little Kaia, Nate and Evelyn with Bridget, Miss Suzanne, Miss Char, and Miss Cam...

Blythe...she spent the night and was such an angel!

Tenny got a new fishing pole from Grandpa!  (don't know why I didn't get a pic of Wulf!)

 Miss Kaia Jean is trying to tell you something!

Kathryn is having her baby next month, or in the first part of November, a baby girl, #22.

Then Margaret and Adrian will have a January baby, girl or boy, we don't know!

March, Sonja and Oscar will be having #24!

What a day I had...hum drum...I vac/mopped the floors, puttered around, did some dishes, went to the small city for a doctor's appointment for my new knee.  I found a spot on the street (so much easier than the parking garage!), and walked in, so conscious how easy it was compared to several months ago.  X-rays showed a nice sturdy implant, but in the left knee:  severe arthritis with bone spurs.  eew.  Dr. said it's up to me, a new left knee in two weeks, two months, two years, whenever I want it.  Or never, which sounds kind of good.  :)

After my appointment, I went to Aldi for a caulflower crust pizza, a pizza crust and some cheese for the girls, a chuck roast because it is chuck roast-in-the-crock-pot season, some cream, apples, arugula, cucumbers, ect.  I went in to Sherwin Williams for a can of paint for the bathroom...we cannot find the paint we used for in there just last year, I wonder if we used it all?  A shelf fell off the wall, Paul repaired the wall but we need the paint.  I had to look up old blog posts to find the color, and sure enough, I had posted it!  Symmetry!  Sherwin Williams keeps track of your purchases, and told me it was a matte finish.  

Home...ahh, home.  I got it all in and put away, then put my feet up for a few minutes when Sonja called.  She needed to go to the grocery store!  Yes, of course I'd go with her!  I drove to her house, and got in the car with her and little Kaia.  We went to the thrift store first, found a few nice books for Kaia, a toy she didn't really need but really liked, and a new cape with a hood, which is adorable.  

Then, to Aldi again!  I pushed the cart with Kaia in it, and we had fun saying hi to everyone.  

We stopped for a coffee, which was super duper delicious, but...I dropped it when I got up the deck steps with my groceries the second time....(Who knew I'd need more stuff the second time?  I only got pears, one jar of sauce, one can of diced tomatoes, and seltzer:  apple ala mode.)

I put chicken thighs in some lime juice and lots of cajun seasoning when I got home.  Into the air fryer until nice and crispy, splashed with bbq sauce and put back in....not too shabby.  

Tomorrow I have to bring Cam to class, and I think Evelyn is coming over...Wednesday I have a dermatologist appointment (I do love the sun, so I make it a point not to miss my yearly exam!).  Thursday, bringing Cam again, then Friday a brekky with swim friends.  In a few weeks, Mariel and Suzanne and I will be going to Delaware again, to visit Abigail and Derek...not sure if we'll be allowed to visit sweet little baby or not, but we can still see mama and daddy and make them a nice dinner.  

I do plan to get back to hoeing out things...I was derailed last week, but that's okay.  Life does happen.  Paul was working on things too, we had a lot of camping equipment, he ditched a few old tents.  We only need one tent these days.  

Anyway, not much else going on...I keep tuning into the new baby on her angel care cam...:). She's so sweet.

You all have a really nice night!

 

it's another Saturday night!

 This has been a fine day.  A puttering day.  Paul and the girls got up and left before I got out of bed.  I wasn't really sleeping, but was in no hurry.  It was a breezy dark morning, with a chill in the air, just perfect for not getting up:)

Coffee, yes.  I cleaned up the guest room, put the trundle back and folded things up and vacuumed in there.  I vacuumed over near the door, and along edges and the main floors.  I picked up stray toys, and did a few loads of laundry.  I sat at the table with the bowl of apples, peeled and sliced some and put together two pans of applesauce (made with two huge jars of unsweetened applesauce, sprinkled with brown sugar and cinnamon).  They are covered in foil and in the 'fridge for tomorrow.  I got out the 9+ pound piece of pork loin, cut it in half, sprinkled it with lime juice, then covered it with a mixture of salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, butter garlic seasoning, and steak seasoning.  It's in a foil covered pan in the fridge too.  (I'll also make mashed potatoes tomorrow)  I cleaned out the refrigerator a bit too.  Then I used my new toy, the fun vac/mop and did the floors.  I moved some furniture, and did a nice job. 

I talked to Abigail on the phone.  She's been discharged from the hospital, she was in three nights for her c-section.  Now she is a visitor, and is visiting Nicole and delivering milk to her.  Nicole is doing okay, her oxygen has been increased again because of blood pressure issues.  I don't pretend to understand it all.  Paul and I both have camera access and can peek in on her whenever we want to, and we do!  She's the cutest little thing!  

The girls are gone again, to a friend's house to watch a movie.  Paul is here, football is on, I am tuning it out.  Kitty is on the arm of my chair, and I am very comfy.  I got on the exercise bike a little while ago.  Dinner:  I made waffles for the girls (Paul had a big lunch and wasn't hungry, I hadn't eaten anything but a packet of nuts so I was!), and chaffles for me.  I've explained the recipe before, but here it is again:  2 eggs, whisked with some vanilla.  Add a few spoons of almond flour, a tiny bit of baking powder if you want, then add a cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.  It goes into a hot waffle iron, sprayed with non-stick spray, and mmmm.  I added a teaspoon of brown sugar to it too, then just a splash of real maple syrup and a little bit of real whipped cream.  It was a nice filling dinner.

But shh, I did have some kettle corn a little while ago.  Only one serving though.  I didn't bring the bag out, so much easier that way, just fill one bowl and put the bag away...it doesn't always work, but we try.

So wasn't that a wonderful and exciting Saturday?  Tomorrow will be totally different, church then having the family over....so far I think around 24 will be here.  Kathryn is making bread, Margaret is bringing sheet veggies, Mariel is bringing something, not sure what.  It'll be loud and crazy and chaotic, and I will love every bit of it.  

You all have a really good night!

and we all love a good Friday!

This fine morning, I woke up to the pitter patter of little feet!  Those rascals were up early.  I cannot complain though, they went to bed SO good for me last night!  In our guest room down the hallway, we have a really nice twin day bed with a trundle.  Blythe, who is three years old, and very excited about sleeping at Grandma's house, was all helpful in getting the beds ready.  Grandpa went to the Dollar General for new toothbrushes:). I read some stories, got her into her jammies, and tucked her in with two baby dolls, said prayers, and that was it.  She went to sleep.  (I had a panic, she couldn't find BABY, her own baby doll, which she had brought with her...but she was fine to take the other dolls...then this morning, I found BABY out on the deck in the underseat compartment of the Fisher-Price Trike.)

Wulf and Tenny got to stay up for a while, then they went in so quietly and went to bed without waking their little sister.

They wanted waffles for brekky, but I showed them the pumpkin spice Cheerios I got yesterday...but those kids drive a hard bargain, one suggested chocolate milk in their cereal, and they all jumped on it.  I didn't stand a chance, so yeah, that's what they had.  

They played outside and inside, Tenny tried out my new floor cleaner.  They rode their hoverboards around, and Blythe played with the toy Oreos and dollhouse and tea sets.  Blythe colored, and Wulf made himself a fake fishing license.  The day flew by, and their parents came to pick them up, all healthy, one of them with some heavy antibiotics.  

Sonja came and picked me up, along with Miss Char and Miss Cam, and we went to Target with her and Kaia.  I finally caved and bought new sheets, they were half off...I like 100% cotton:). I got some Pepsi Zero, and some little plastic bowls that come in so handy for the grandkids, yet they disappear.  

Home....ahh, home.  We had chicken marinating for the girls' new fave, the peanut chicken with coconut rice. We pitched in and got it all prepared and cooked pretty fast.  I only had a few spoons of rice, and lots of steamed broccoli and some raw shredded cabbage, mmm, so good with the scallions and that peanut butter sauce, spicy and mmm.  

The new sheets are almost dry and ready to go on the bed, it's the little things, right?  I could have waited and dried them outside tomorrow in the sunshine, but bugs...and I would have to wait.  

Football is on, and I am doing my good old block-it-out thing.  Sometimes I tune in to it, more and more I enjoy it when I do, but mostly I don't care about it at all.  :)

The hospital where baby Nicole is has an angel eye camera system so we can watch her from our phones, isn't that wonderful?  Of course Paul's worked right away, and me, Miss Tech-y, had mine all screwed up.  He helped me figure it out, and I am very thankful for this.  

There are no other updates, which is really actually a good thing.  :). 

This Sunday I have invited the family over for a pork loin roast dinner, with applesauce, roasted or mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes...I would like to bake some pies, but we'll see, won't we?  

You all have a really good night! 

a sunny Thursday in September...

 This fine morning, I picked up three grandchildren, and headed back here.  We went through the drive through at Dunkin first, Munchkins for them, an iced coffee for me.  (with one pump of pumpkin!)

Kathryn was here with Achilles, Rhys, Jamie, and Ellis when we pulled in the driveway, so the fun began!  The kids played outside and inside and had some snacks and treats.  Emily came over and picked up Wulf and Tennyson for a hike, Kathryn headed home with her kids, and I brought Blythe with me to bring Camille to college.  

We went into BJ's while Cam was in Anatomy and Physiology class.  They're having a 42% off sale for their 42 year anniversary, so I got apples for around $3, potatoes the same, a huge-0 thing of peanut butter M&M's for 9.95 regularly $16.99....a bag of rice for 42 percent off, a pork roast, some chicken.  Blythe wasn't so sure about this store...she was walking so nicely and holding on to the cart, but their inventory counting robot came beeping down the aisle, and Blythe said, "I want to go home, Grandma."  

I asked her if she wanted to ride in the cart, she was much better.  I told her we would stay away from the robot, even though it was a nice one that just counts things.  "It counts to five, Grandma!"...

She didn't much like the Halloween monsters either, the huge animated ones.  

Home...ahh, home.  We had bacon and eggs for dinner, except for Wulf, who wanted chicken nuggets.  Ten just had a peanut butter and jam sandwich:). They're spending the night, so I have to get moving and get them brushing teeth and reading stories...

I won't be giving health updates, because it's not my story to tell.  

Baby Nicole though:  she is on an oscillating ventilator, but this fine morning, her oxygen setting was lowered from 60 to 30, and so far she seems to be tolerating it, which is really good news.  The odds are stacked against her, but we're rooting for her, and praying for her!!!!  

Well it's bed time...you have a good night!

back in New York and heading north!

 Yes, here I sit in the comfy chair, but not for long!  I am heading to Margaret's house to pick up Wulf, Tennyson, and Blythe.  Everyone is fine, but one of them may or may not be in the hospital with an infection that hopefully can be treated quickly and efficiently.  They deserve to be together in times of trouble, so I'll go get the kids.  :)

We came in the door yesterday afternoon after five+ hours on the road, and the girls were making dinner...a spicy peanut chicken dish with rice noodles.  Paul made an acorn squash in the air fryer, we had that instead of the rice noodles (although I did have a few of them, yum!).  It was so nice to be home on a chilly cozy evening and have dinner with the girls!  

Baby Nicole is a fighter!  There was some thought that she would need a heart surgery after birth, but the cardiologist team didn't think that was going to be necessary, after an echo.  Her little heart is fine and pumping like it should.  Her lungs are the issue, she is on an oscillating ventilator and they hope to lower the oxygen level and see how she does.  She's a little miracle right now!  She is sedated, because that vent is uncomfortable, but when Abigail and I went in to see her, she would suck on the oxygen tube when we talked to her.  

I told Abigail that my talking to the dog voice and talking to babies voice is eerily similar, but Nicole didn't mind.  She just likes to hear that she is the most beautiful baby ever, and she has lots of hair like her mama, and her daddy is already designing cute t-shirts for her.  I told her that so many people already love her.  Because we do.  The first picture I saw of her, I was in love.  This is not fair, that she is so adorable.  She has short little arms with pudgy rolls of fat, and tiny little legs and perfect little piggy toes.  Her face is so sweet I can't even think about it without crying...I just plain love her.

We don't like to go by numbers or statistics, that is bleak.  But God is the one who gives life, and in His goodness and mercy, this child was born in this day and age at a hospital that is incredibly advanced and able to care for these babies who wouldn't have had a chance just a few years ago.  The surgeon who performed the cesarean talked to us ahead of time, and said she was praying along with us.  How sweet is that?

When she came in after the surgery and said that the baby cried, we all cried.  

I know there is a rough road ahead, and there will be dips and curves, and no one knows how long they have here on earth, but that baby is loved, and she has blessed us already.  

If Abigail and Derek give permission, I will try to post some pictures of her, but just imagine the cutest little dwarf baby, but with some wires and tubes.  You will fall in love with her too.  (Also, I do not know if that is still the term used, but she is a little person for sure, and adorable!)

Okay...I have to get moving, you all have a really good day, and be good to one another!  Use your time in a good way....:)

welcome to the world, sweet girl!

 Baby Nicole was born today, and we are rejoicing.  We are rejoicing tentatively, and cautiously, but oh dear, the joy when the dr came in and announced that baby cried after she was born!  The c-section went well, Abigail is doing well, and baby is on the ventilator.  

I won't post pictures yet, but she has these precious chubby rolls of fat on her little arms, and all four pounds 15 ounces of her is pure cuteness.  From the short lil arms and legs to the little piggy toes, and her sweet little face, oh dear, I am smitten.  She is all hooked up with wires and tubes, and has no idea that all of us are in love with her already.  I hope she can feel our hope and our prayers.  

It has been a very long day, an interesting day, and I am tired.  I am thankful that Abigail and Derek seem to be doing okay, and I am heading to bed with prayers for strength for that tiny new girl.  Thank you all for your kind words and prayers!  Good night!

Sunday night in Delaware...

 It's almost midnight, and I have to get to sleep...well, now it's Monday morning, and this is a pic of Abigail from last week...

This is a message Paul sent me for the baby shower, which I read...

Molly, Mariel, Sonja, Char, and Cam

Abigail...

She did get some teeny tiny baby clothes!  

Her baby will come into this world tomorrow.  She's been busy packing what she will need for her hospital stay, knowing she is having a c-section.  Being unsure of how long little Nicole will grace us with her presence, she is packing for a possible extended stay at the Ronald McDonald house.  

I am super thankful I've had these days with Abigail.  She is firm in her faith, and there's not much more a mother could ask for.  Derek is fantastic, he's such a good husband for her.  They have the same sense of humor, and they respect each other and love each other so much.  My soul does ache, as I want them to have a healthy living baby, who is born and breathes and cries and passes the Apgar test.  I don't want them them to suffer loss and heartbreak, but who am I?  Rest comes when I stop, and trust God.  

Ah well.  We have big plans today.  Derek is at work, Abigail will finish packing, and we'll go to Aldi for some coffee cream and maybe something for dinner.  They will be checking into the Ronald McDonald house this evening, and spend the night there, and will bring me to my Airbnb, where Emily and Paul will arrive tonight.  We will go to the hospital first thing tomorrow morning, and be with Derek's parents and some of his siblings.  (he has the sweetest little sister, ten years old!  Dear Lord, bless that child and give us grace to help her accept whatever happens!)

So you all have a good day, don't waste it!  Be thankful!  :)