New Year's Eve

Times change.  A cliché, but true.  When our children were young enough to stay home on New Year's Eve, before they started babysitting or going to parties, we would have movie marathons and watch 2 or 3 musicals or James Bond movies or 2 different versions of the same film.  Then several times Randy and I went to a friend's home to play board games and watch the ball drop in Times Square.  Tonight we're going to two little parties to share the end of 2015 with friends.

Midnight tonight marks the end of one year and the beginning of another.  How might I summarize these past twelve months?  I could mention first time events, like my first dog bite, or the night sitting up in an airport, or seeing e undergo an EEG.  Or I could talk about changes in my life, the biggest one being my taking on e's day care.  Traveling back and forth to Phoenix (32 round trip flights in 10 months), living with E and K and e during the week, playing organ on Sunday mornings with little practice, Randy cooking for himself…our life was certainly different than in 2014.

One thing stayed the same; I continued to quilt and to read.  I made five quilts, starting with Bonnie Hunter's "Grand Illusion" mystery quilt; this is not yet quilted, but the top is done.  I took several pounds of scraps to E's over the course of a few weeks and spent many pleasurable hours cutting them into usable patches, sewing many of them into Bonnie Hunter's "Dancing Nines," made for my sister's newest grandson in North Carolina, and "Narragansett Blues," another pattern by Bonnie Hunter, which I finally finished a couple of days ago.  I made "Round and Around," affectionately known as my Legos quilt, for myself and used it as a topper on my bed at E's.  Then in October I made "Pinks Plus" for my sister.  You can see a picture of each one on the previous blog post.  I have a list of many more I want to work on in 2016.

I read 146 books in 2015, most of them mystery novels.  Hours spent in airports and on planes provided lots of time to read.  Many of these books were checked out from the Alameda library via their e-book program and then read on my iPad-mini.  It surely was more convenient to carry that small device than hardback books.

We spent some time with each daughter in 2015 and saw my dad when he and Claudia flew out to meet e in August.  Randy's sister also visited while e was at our house in May.  We saw K's mom and siblings on various occasions.

This year has been one of growth for me in various areas of my life.  I look forward to what 2016 has in store!

Quilts made during 2015

Grand Illusion Mystery Quilt
(not yet quilted

Dancing Nines
(for my sister's grandson)

Pinks Plus
(for my sister)

Round and Around
(for myself)

Narragansett Blues

You may ask questions about any of these if you want more information.  

Settling back in

I've been home for two weeks now, busy preparing the music for Christmas Eve and Sunday services and the house for Liz and Sean's visit.  While I unpacked my suitcases as soon as we arrived home from the airport, some non-clothing items were just placed on convenient surfaces, not put away.  Last night I spent an hour or more sorting through those things, filing some and recycling others.  There is more to be done but I feel I've made a start.  Randy is taking some time off this week to take care of things on his to-do list.

We saw the new Star Wars movie on Christmas night, along with a nearly-full theater of other fans.  It was indeed exciting!  I enjoyed the music by John Williams.  Harrison Ford has aged, certainly, but he still looks pretty good as Han Solo, even if he moves a little slower now.  And the attitude is still there.  Liz and Sean left on a red-eye flight Saturday night, bound for Raleigh-Durham and a visit with friends near Asheville on Sunday.  Monday they met Sarah and Erik, who had driven over from Knoxville, TN, for lunch and time together in Asheville, before driving home to Raeford.

Yesterday I finished hand sewing the binding on the Narragansett Blues quilt I made this summer.  I didn't buy any new fabric for it.  Remember the scraps I cut into various size squares last spring?  About 1700 of those 2 1/2 inch patches went into this quilt.  It feels good to use up little pieces of left-over fabric to make something pretty.  Several more quilts are on my want-to-make list.  And I need to make labels for some finished quilts.

Our last Christmas activity of the season is a carol sing this Saturday. We used to do this at the beginning of Advent, but several years ago we moved it to the end of the holidays, close to Epiphany.  Then the decorations will be packed away till next year.

Christmas Eve

Liz and Sean arrived late Monday night.  The next morning Liz and I drove up to Emeryville to shop at Bay Street.  I enjoyed spending time with her, seeing her interact with the brow stylist at Sephora, the dressing room helper at Banana Republic, and others.  She is friendly, laughs easily, and talks a mile a minute.  After lunch we came home and worked a Charles Wysocki puzzle, which I haven't done in a long time.  In years past there was often a puzzle in progress on the coffee table; all three girls have liked doing jigsaw puzzles since they were tiny and still do.  I hope e will have many hours of fun with puzzles, too, as she gets a bit older.

Yesterday morning I practiced organ, which took longer than usual because I have two services to play tonight, and while the carols are the same for the family service and the choir/later service, the preludes and postludes differ because the choir director and I will play flute/organ (or piano) duets at the later one.  The church's heating system is on the fritz; Sunday morning the temperature was about 58 when the service began.  They've been working on it but have not been able to diagnose the problem yet, so I plan to wear my long underwear tonight and my gloves with the cut-off fingertips.

Last night I hung the Christmas stockings on the mantel.  K's needs to have his name cross stitched on; of course the only time I think of that is when I'm about to hang it up, but maybe this year I'll finally stitch it.  Last week a friend asked if I was still writing on the tree skirt each year, and I replied that I tried to but sometimes forgot.  So I pulled that out and saw that my last entry was 2007.  I looked at old holiday newsletters and photos so I could update the skirt with memories from each year.  It is so much easier to do this each year, instead of playing catch-up.  I had no idea I was so far behind!

The half batch of date nut pinwheel cookies I baked Monday is just about gone.  Today I plan to make my usual cherry almond wreath coffee cake and maybe a cranberry brunch cake.  Tomorrow Liz and Sean will come for an early dinner, then the four of us and Sean's folks will go to the new Star Wars movie.  And yes, we've already bought tickets.

A good week

Yesterday morning we Skyped with e and her mom.  I arrived home from practicing and a walk to find Randy starting a visit with them. What fun to see and hear the two of them, with K joining occasionally.  I did feel that e recognized me, even though I'm sure I looked different on the computer monitor than in person.  We sang together; that is, I sang and e did the motions to "Open, Shut Them."  Then she put her hand behind her head as if to say, "Now, do this one."  I remembered E had told me she learned  "Where Is Thumbkin?" at daycare and suggested we try that, so we did, and e seemed pleased.  Years ago we did the song with hands behind our back, but I guess it is much easier for a toddler to put hands behind her head; things change in 30 years, even little songs.

E said e did pretty well at daycare last week.  She grabbed someone's toy once, and that child scratched her, but other than that, it was good.  She ate well and napped.  It sounds like the drop offs went smoothly, too.  I hope it continues this way.  A friend who used to teach pre-school said the first week or two is like a honeymoon, then reality sets in.  "What?  I have to come here every day?"  But it sounds like e is confident and secure.  I like to I think I had something to do with that, as I followed E and K's guidelines for responding to e's needs each day.

We attended another holiday party last night, this one at Carol and Scott's, friends we met because Liz married Sean.  They are friends of Sean's mother, and we have enjoyed many evenings with them at her house or theirs or ours.  They invited many people to come over and share a table full of delicious finger foods and desserts.  It was really lovely.

Back in the groove

Last Saturday we were getting ready for E's birthday party.  It seems like a long time ago now.  Since I arrived home Sunday night I have been busy writing then mailing our almost-annual Christmas newsletter for family and friends, getting out decorations, playing piano and organ, cleaning house, shopping for groceries.  I had my regular eye exam (eyes are in good health) and have taken four morning walks.  I had lunch then a game of Scrabble with friend Dena.  Last night we had a fun dinner and games with a group of friends from church.  All of these events have helped me get back into my life as it was before my time in Phoenix.  But they also have made me realize this would be a great time to examine my life and talk with Randy about the past year, about things we may want to do differently.  For instance, I played Sunday morning services with just Saturday practices; do I really need to practice organ three mornings a week?  Or, Randy did laundry and cooking; does he want to continue either or both?  And so on.  Food for thought.

Today I will practice, take a walk with my friend Linda (if it doesn't rain), and continue to decorate the house and prepare for Liz and Sean's arrival on Monday evening.  They will stay with Sean's mom this visit, but we will see them a lot, I hope.  We have another holiday party to attend tonight, so no cooking for me.  In the fridge a turkey is thawing, which I hope to roast tomorrow afternoon.  I also want to bake a cranberry cake and make the dough for date-nut pinwheel cookies, a Christmas tradition here at our house.

By the way, e had another EEG this week, after being off her medication for a couple of months, again with normal results.  We are all so thankful!  Daycare went smoothly, with e participating in activities.  E worked at home one day and said it was so quiet without e or me or the dog.

Birthday weekend, part 2

Sunday morning most of us went to nearby "The Good Egg" for breakfast.  Back at the house, I began packing up my clothes and other belongings for the trip home.  Since I had already taken home most of the extra fabric, books and such, everything left fit in the original two suitcases.  Then more gifts were opened, more food eaten, and lots of family photos taken to add to the little album I began compiling for e, a small book she will be able to handle, to remind her of those of us she doesn't see daily.

It was fun to see e play with her 3 1/2 year old cousin.  While V can be a bit bossy, e held up her end pretty well, and of course we helped V slow down and make allowances for her just-learning-to-walk cousin.  While e does move pretty quickly with her walker toy, when V tries to help her along e usually falls because she can't go as fast as V wants.

Then it was time for everyone to leave.  K's sister fed the baby before strapping her and V into their car seats and the four of them drove away, headed for southern California.  K's mom had rented a car Saturday when they arrived, so she and her husband drove Randy and me to the airport since our flights left within minutes of each other.  As the car pulled away from the house, we waved at K, E and e and said, "Goodby, see you soon!"

(There will be more posts, as I have more to say about my experiences.  Check back!)

Birthday weekend, part 1

Goodness, has it already been a week since I've posted anything?  A lot has happened, but I will try to recap.

Randy's flight was late Thursday night, but it worked out because K arrived about the same time from his trip to Charlotte, so the two of them drove back together, just as K and I had done so many times. The next day e and I took Randy for a long walk, showing him the herons and coots along the water.  Demonstrating how grandpas do things differently, Randy held e up over his head on a tree branch.  She didn't know what to think.  E took the day off and was out running errands, which took longer than expected, and she came home without the items she had hoped to buy.  Continuing party preparations, we cut out cookies using E, bear and star cookie cutters.  We got the two chocolate sheet cakes baked and the chicken shredded for the hot wings dip.  After supper K's sister and Ayer family arrived, and we visited for a while before bed.

Saturday morning K's mom and husband arrived.  It felt a little odd to see e with her other grandma, partly because we have different styles, but I'm glad e has family who love her.  E cut the cakes along the template pieces and put together the bear cake, covering it generously with chocolate frosting.  A friend and his young son came over around noon; turns out he had the party time wrong, but hung out with us.  K went out for helium balloons; the silver, sparkly stars were more exciting to e than the pink ones.  Other party snacks were assembled as e napped then we were ready for the big event.

About 25 adults and children joined the eleven of us family, and the new house easily held the group, with most clustered in the kitchen/family room.  While we had hoped to have some outdoor activities, it was too cold and damp to stand around for long on the patio.  I met some new friends and greeted others I'd met before.  When it was time to cut the cake, E took off e's party clothes so the chocolate wouldn't stain the pretty white shirt.  K then said some lovely things about my help this year.  A friend brought in the Kleenex box for E, and I blinked back tears as Randy squeezed my shoulders.  It was indeed a labor of love for me and gave me so much joy.  While e had not had cake or cookies before, she seemed to enjoy the treats.  Although E had said, "No gifts, please," some fancy wrapped things appeared, so e and her parents opened books and toys.

After the guests left, we nibbled on leftovers and e soon went to bed.  K raised the temperature on the Jacuzzi, and three year old cousin V got her wish of playing in the water.  Her dad and I joined her.  She pointed out the "clouds" we made as the water evaporated from our arms in the cold night air.

A good time was had by all.

Things I will not miss

Picking up a 22 pound baby numerous times a day, though this one could also fit in the "things I will miss" list

Changing diapers, especially dirty ones, on a squirming child who would rather crawl away than lie on her back

Starting work each day at 7:30 AM

Company in the bathroom

113 degree days

Cat hair on my clothes

Sleeping alone

Step by step...

Yesterday E registered e for daycare; Monday, December 14, will be her first day.  Most of E's questions regarding food, diapers, and such have been answered, and it looks like things will be easier than expected, though those initial drop-offs will be challenging for everyone.  E will need to leave two changes of clothes for e, as well as an extra pair of shoes (closed toe, rubber sole--nice to have clothes and shoes from older cousin so E doesn't have to shop for them).  She will also leave a box of diapers and wipes.  The daycare will provide meals and snacks and even sippy cups (everyone uses the same style).

This morning on our walk I was a little teary-eyed, thinking of days to come when we won't have this special time together.  As we approached home I took e out of the stroller, and she walked the last short block holding on to my hand.  She stopped frequently, to pick up a leaf and offer it to me, or to examine a crack in the sidewalk.  I guess she notices things like that because she is so close to the ground.

This past weekend her parents purchased her next car seat, good till e reaches 65 pounds.  She will continue to face backwards for another year, then the seat can be turned around.  It even came with its own cup holder!

"And the world is about to turn..."

The Lutheran hymnal has a hymn with the above phrase, "Canticle of the Turning," and it seems fitting on many levels for this week.  The lyrics to the hymn are based on Mary's Magnificat, her response to the angel's announcement that she would have a son.  But the idea of life changing is appropriate for e and her family.

Her first steps have been taken, and before we know it e will be running around the house instead of crawling.  At the grocery store Saturday, she helped K push the cart.  E sent me a picture---in her little pink sneakers, blue jeans and T-shirt e looked like a toddler walking along gripping the cart determinedly.  It was great.

This week we continue preparations for daycare, for house guests and the birthday party on Saturday.  Randy arrives Thursday evening; K's mom, step-dad, sister and husband and two little girls come Friday.  The new house has enough room for all of us to stay here.  E's to-do lists are quite long!  On our morning walk today I saw 10 great blue herons in one small area.  Amazing!  These large birds fascinate me.  Sometimes I see one along the lagoon at home, but never more than two, so ten were a treat.

Last week I gave e an early birthday gift because I wanted to see her play with it, a shape/block sorter.  It is a little different than the one our girls had, but the basic concept is the same--5 pairs of blocks (circle, star, square, plus sign, triangle) to put through corresponding shapes on the lid of the little bucket.  She played with it for 45 minutes straight that afternoon.  No, she didn't put the blocks through the lid, but she dumped them out, picked them up, over and over, looking at each shape.  The bucket has a handle so she can easily pick it up and carry it around.  It was a good choice!

Yogurt, yogurt everywhere

Yesterday e decided she wanted to feed herself some yogurt.  So while I used one spoon, she used another to get yogurt from her bowl into her mouth.  Admittedly I had more success than she did, but it was fun to watch her.  At one point she brushed the spoon against her sweater sleeve and apparently decided she liked the look of white yogurt on the black sleeve because she did it a couple more times.  Before putting her to bed I put the sweater in the washing machine with my laundry.

Today we tried again with two spoons, and I think she got more in her mouth.  You go, e!

Week 40 begins

Today, Tuesday, December 1, marks the beginning of week 40 of my time caring for e.  I have made 31 round trip flights, with two to go.  I stayed here four weekends, and E, K and e visited us twice-- for two weeks, then three.  I have been through an Arizona summer, complete with extreme heat warnings and monsoons.  And now the end is in sight.  On December 13 e turns one, and that was our goal, close observation and lots of visual and physical stimulation till her birthday.  Having a specific end date has helped all of us.  These next blog posts will no doubt be full of how I am preparing for my move back home and how we are helping e prepare for daycare.

Her first steps!

K sent a little video of e taking a couple of steps while at his mom's for Thanksgiving.  Hurray!  Sarah and Erik were there, and it looks like Sarah actually launched e toward her grandma, then her dad.  A plastic water bottle was apparently e's goal.  This is a real milestone, learning to walk.  Guess what we will work on at Grandma Bootcamp this week?

Our dinner at Dena's was lovely.  A congenial group of people gathered to eat delicious food and talk.  On Friday we ate out with our Anti-Senility Seminar, then played Apples to Apples before serving date cake.  And last night several friends came over for supper and games.  I suggested they bring Thanksgiving leftovers if they wanted; I made a pot of chili because we did not have any leftovers except date cake.  The evening went smoothly, and I think everyone, even the 8 year old boy, enjoyed themselves.

Advent begins today.  I brought out our wreath and placed candles in it.  Maybe Randy and I will take a walk this afternoon.  It is chilly, but sunny.  Tomorrow night I return to Phoenix; I have enjoyed this longer time at home.

Thanksgiving Day

Oops...I began writing this on Thursday morning, put it aside to finish later, then forgot.  So here it is, a couple of days late.


This is the day designated for remembering the people and things for which we are thankful.  At the top of my list is family, especially Randy and the encouragement and support he has given me this year as I have commuted to Phoenix.  All three of our daughters and their significant others have brought happiness to me.  Little e--what a year of surprise, laughter, tears, joy she has given all of us.  My dad and stepmom Skyping at breakfast with e and me, coming out to visit.  My sister and brothers, whom I haven't seen in person but through the magic of technology.  Randy's sister coming last May.

I'm thankful for our home, shelter from the weather.  I'm thankful for jobs and enough money to buy what we need and even some extras.  I'm thankful for music, for being able to use it to encourage members of the congregation as well as myself.  I'm thankful that even though I have some arthritis in my hands I can still play the piano and sew.  I'm grateful for those friends who have stayed in touch through this year of travel.

The list could go on and on, and it does in my heart if not in this post.

Yesterday morning I arrived home, went to the dentist, then to the new James Bond movie with Randy.  After supper, I made a date cake, a couple of days late for Randy's birthday, but we're hosting our games group Friday night and need a dessert for them, and Randy likes the cake best after it has rested a day or two.  I went to bed by 9; I didn't sleep well Tuesday night, and I got up at 5:15 for my 7:30AM flight, so I was pretty tired.  We have been invited to share dinner tonight with our friends Dena and Alan, and their family.  I'm going to make a vegetable dish to take.  For many years now I have made gingerbread cookies on Thanksgiving morning, cutting them into turkey and squirrel shapes.  This began when several of the children at our large family dinner did not eat pumpkin or mince pie, so I brought cookies.  I think maybe I'll make some when I finish this post; I can't cut into the cake yet, so a cookie might satisfy my sweet tooth.

Thanksgiving week

E and e picked me up at the airport Sunday night.  K is out of town again, this time in Ohio for his aunt's funeral.

This will be a short work week for me in Phoenix.  I leave early Wednesday morning; soon after I get home I will go to the dentist for my six-month checkup.  Randy and I may try to see the new James Bond movie later that day.  We went to the theater Saturday night planning to see it, but the 7:30 showing was sold out.  Seeing lots of people in line for movie tickets and walking around downtown was weird; we aren't often out on Saturday night.

How fortunate

K returned this afternoon from a few days in Charlotte on business.  I think e was happy to see him.  He read to her and played guitar when he took over from me as E continued to work a bit.  After supper and her bath, she came back downstairs so E could eat some supper.  At one point e headed over to my chair instead of to K, and he looked disappointed.  He misses her a lot when he's away and often FaceTimes with her in the evening.  Later I said something to E about this.  She replied that she knows that e reaches out for me sometimes when E is holding her, but instead of feeling rejected she is just thankful that e likes/loves me.  Imagine how these months would have gone if e and I didn't connect with each other.

I do indeed feel a connection to this little girl.  We spend a lot of time together, and I enjoy seeing her learn new things.  Now when we're in her playroom and she hears an airplane she will stop what she's doing and point out the window, so I acknowledge the plane and her good ears.  If we're outside walking she will point to the plane.  She also enjoys pointing at birds flying overhead.

This and that

Week 38 of my Arizona adventure began yesterday.  Eight and a half months of watching e grow and prosper, of seeing her parents cope with this new part of their life together, of my itinerant lifestyle.

One of the tasks accomplished over the weekend was installing locks on the lower kitchen cabinets.  K used magnetic locks that must be opened with a magnetic key.  Cool!  One key is kept on the hood over the range, the other on the microwave, both above e's current reach.  One cupboard is not locked; it contains a whisk, pan, and bowl for e to play with.

Although she is not walking independently yet, e loves to walk along by pushing something.  This might be a big box, a dining room chair, her little Radio Flyer wagon, or even her stroller.  She has learned what to do when the wagon or whatever runs into something like a wall.  She walks around to the other end and goes in the other direction.  Problem solved!

One of her favorite games right now is "pull out the straw."  When E came home from the hospital, she brought the 28 oz plastic cup they gave her.  It has a handle and a lid with a small hole for the flexible plastic straw.  She would fill it with water to drink as she nursed e.  Now e has taken over the cup and loves to pull out the straw, which usually takes more than one tug because she does not yet understand about holding the cup in one hand while the other one pulls.  But once it comes out, she will hand me the straw so I can insert it into the hole, and the process repeats.

Probably the best feature of the Grandma Suite is its location.  It sits at the back of the house, the northwest corner, and has two windows.  One looks out over the lovely back yard, and I usually open the blinds each morning to enjoy the view.  The other window looks out on the side yard and cinder block wall at the edge of the property, so I keep those blinds closed.  At the old house my room shared a wall with the master bath, so when K took his early morning shower I was very aware of it.  Some days I was awake before the water began to flow but I think I was always awake before he finished.  Now my room is far enough away from the master bath that I never hear their shower, though one night last week I did hear E put together the new IKEA dresser in their closet, which is above my room.

Video monitor

It is so cool to be able both to hear and see e in her bed.  I put her down for a nap about 20 minutes ago.  She's been standing up, lying down, sitting, playing with her...oops.  The bear just hit the floor and the tears are in earnest now.  I'd better go upstairs and help her relax again.

(About 15 minutes later). All is well.  It took three tissues to wipe her nose (and both shoulders of my sweatshirt) and several minutes of rocking and holding to soothe her to sleep.  Conundrum---we want her to use the plush bear to comfort herself, and it appears to work.  But what do we do when it lands on the floor outside her crib, either accidentally or apparently on purpose?  We don't want it to become a game, "How many times can I drop this and Grandma picks it up before it stays on the floor?"  But we want to respond to her needs.  It's a challenge of balance.

We are still trying to get e to use a sippy cup for her milk but not having much luck.

Brrrr!

Although the sun was shining brightly this morning, the wind was very strong and I was cold as e and I took our walk.  I wore a long-sleeved shirt and light jacket, but the wind cut right through them and I wished I had put on a heavy sweatshirt; e also wore a long-sleeved shirt, heavy sweater, jeans and socks.  I tucked a blanket around her and hoped she was warm enough.  The stroller provides some protection, but we did cut our walk a bit short.  This was the coldest I've been outside since arriving in March, I think.  The temperature was probably mid-50's.

We attended lap-sit story time again today.  You'd be surprised at how still e sits during the stories.  She especially likes the bubbles which are blown at the end of the formal time, staring up at them and sometimes trying to catch one in her hand.  There were more children present than at previous sessions, and for some reason the event had been moved to a different area of the library, which felt more crowded.  But e interacted with others during the playtime, and that's why we go.

K left for Charlotte, NC this morning for several days of meetings relating to a work project.  So it's just us girls.  His mom and step-dad were here over the weekend, and they helped with various projects in both houses, such as taking the large TV off the wall.  E found and bought a red couch/sectional for the family room off the kitchen, which adds a sense of fun to the space.  Gradually boxes are being emptied.

Veteran's Day

One of my high school friends was born on November 11, and he said when he was very young he thought the big parade downtown was in honor of his birthday!  Today he is 65; I don't know if his town will have a parade.

K and E are both off work today in honor of the holiday, so I also have the day off.  I just took a walk by myself, and even though I went a little farther than usual it took less time.  Pushing the stroller makes a difference in my stride, I guess.  I may go to a movie later, or sit outside and read, or spend time in silence.  E and I may go to Ikea for some night stands and a dresser.  E also mentioned taking a hike with K and e.  So there are options.  It is lovely to be flexible, to have a day without any specific demands.

My finger looks good, still a little red, but it does not look infected and the edges of the laceration are knitting together.

Not really a surprise

As e slept in her stroller yesterday morning, after I finished my blog post, I went upstairs to tell E something.  For quite a while now I have been careful when approaching E if Oscar is near, because he is extremely protective of her and has snapped at me several times.  Some of these snaps did not actually connect with my body; others did, though never to the point of drawing blood.  Until yesterday.  Before I even knew he was coming he bit the middle finger on my left hand, the same place he bit e last week.  Odd coincidence.

After washing and bandaging my finger, I called the Kaiser advice nurse and determined I did not need to go to the ER or urgent care clinic.  Last fall I had a tetanus booster, so that is up to date, as are Oscar's shots.  We probably had to take e to the ER because of her age.  My bite was not deep or too long, so I put Neosporin on it and re-bandaged it.  I will watch for signs of infection, but so far it looks clean.

Oscar spent the rest of the day confined in his crate in the closet and will remain confined, except for potty breaks on leash, till K's mom arrives at the end of the week and takes him home with her.  His aggressive behavior towards me has escalated this year and not been dealt with adequately.  After his three-week stay with K's mom in August, she suggested we implement several new tactics to remind him he is a dog and not alpha, but I guess more work is needed.  Having a new baby in the house has brought many changes, and Oscar has suffered.

Shhh!

This morning as e and I approached home after our walk, I saw that she was asleep.  So when we reached the house I quietly lifted the stroller over the  threshhold and left e in it to nap, taking advantage of the unexpected free time to write this.  If she doesn't wake on her own soon, I will wake her so we can go to story time at the library.

She is initiating communication more frequently now, pointing to things she wants, expressing her wishes without words but often very clearly.  We are working on sign language with a few basic signs, such as milk (which she does very well), Mommy and Daddy, more, and eat.

K is back from a week in Myrtle Beach, where men from his family have met each November for a golf tourney for eleven years now.  They fish and golf and enjoy the time together.  K expected 25-30 would come; I don't know the final count.  I'm sure he must be surprised at changes in e in these few days.  For instance, when she stirred this morning he immediately went to her room, lifted her out of bed and brought her to E, not realizing that now she often goes back to sleep.  As she eats more solid foods, she seems to sleep in longer stretches, hitting twelve hours one night last week.

It's fall!

When we Skyped the other day, Randy warned me that the weather had taken a turn toward cooler temps and was likely to stay that way.  Indeed it has!  He put both a blanket and a quilt on the bed, and they felt pretty good Friday night when we slid under them.  Yesterday I wore a long-sleeved shirt and a sweater and was comfortable.  I prefer cooler weather.  Even in Phoenix it is cooler now.  E is putting socks on e so her little feet have a chance to stay warm as she crawls and cruises along the floor.

Yesterday I took down the October quilt and replaced it with November's, which has bright tessalated blocks like leaves on a dark brown background.  Randy put the Thanksgiving print napkins on the table.

I machine stitched the binding to the front of the Narragansett Blues quilt and brought it home to do the hand stitching.  I have managed to accumulate two boxes of fabric at E's house in the process of making four quilts since March.  I think I will either ship them home, bring some each week on the plane, or convince Randy to drive down in December so we can travel home together.

Grandma suite

One of the reasons for buying a larger house was to have a dedicated guest room, for me to use right now, but also for K's mom and others who visit in days and years to come.  This house has five bedrooms, so e gets one as do K and E, there's one for a future child (if that happens), and one for an office, all upstairs.  The "Grandma Suite" is downstairs, with a full bath right next to it, the thought being that as our knees age we grandparents won't have to climb stairs when we visit.  Tuesday we shopped for a queen mattress set and bought one; it was delivered yesterday afternoon, so now the sofa bed is folded up and back to being a sofa instead of my bed.  We plan to add night stands and a dresser to provide comfort for longer stays.

I hope to finish quilting my latest project today.  I have fabric for the binding and may get that cut.  This week I bought some flour sack dish towels and decorated a couple with red patchwork for the new kitchen.  E has red Cuisinart cookware and small appliances, so the red trim on the towels looks nice.

In an attempt to get e on the schedule used at her future day care I am skipping a morning nap and putting her to bed after lunch, letting her calm herself to sleep.  At this point that involves tears and protest, but she settles in a few minutes.  Today she was very drowsy by the end of her yogurt, so I wiped her face and carried her upstairs.  I hadn't thought to change her diaper before lunch, and doing so woke her a bit.  Oops!  Forgot her plush bear and had to go back down to retrieve it.  Tomorrow I hope I am better prepared; I don't like to hear her cry.  Her injured finger is red but does not look infected.

Today is cooler.  We have windows open to the fresh air.

Ouch!

We are all fine.  Let me begin with that.  Last night, while E was starting lentil soup for supper and I was sitting at the table nearby and neither of us had constant eyes on e, she apparently decided to approach Oscar, the Boston terrier.  He is usually pretty good about that, though he sometimes spins away quickly to avoid her.  Last night though he was eating, and that is positively not the time to mess with him.  We heard her start to cry LOUDLY and turned to see her next to him.  Since I was closer, I grabbed her and checked her arms and hands and saw her left hand was bleeding slightly.  I took her to the sink and began to wash her hand with soap and water while E took Oscar upstairs to his crate in the closet and fastened him in.  E then called the advice nurse, who told her to take e to the ER; since the bite drew blood, that was the required procedure.  So we drove to the Children's hospital where e spent several days in March with RSV and spent three hours at the ER.

Her hand was X-rayed to check for broken bones or bits of teeth; she had neither.  We saw a nurse, a doctor and a physician's assistant, in addition to the X-ray tech and someone who applied Lidocaine.  E and I took turns holding e and soothing her tears during the various exams.  Her hand was cleaned and bandaged, and we left with a prescription for an antibiotic and instructions to watch carefully for signs of infection.  Since the dog is E's, she knows his shots are up to date, as are e's.  Texts, calls, and pictures flew back and forth with K, who is on the east coast for a family event and dearly wanted to be home to comfort his little girl.

Part of the fault is ours.  We have not been consistent with how we feed Oscar and have allowed him to eat while outside his crate.  His life has changed since the baby was born; he does not receive nearly as much attention as he used to, and I'm sure he misses it.  But biting cannot be tolerated.  I've mentioned here before that he has snapped at me and bitten, though he has never drawn blood.  When K's mom and stepdad visit next week, they will take Oscar home with them for an indeterminate stay.  We will miss him, but it appears neither K nor E has the time and energy right now to provide the training he needs.

All Saints Day

This is the day to remember those who have died in the faith, who have shown us God's love and faithfulness, and who now worship around the throne with the rest of the saints in glory.  And it is also good to think of living saints who witness to us of those same things.  One family at Trinity asks members to bring in photos or memorabilia of loved ones and then prepares a display for coffee hour that we can look at and think about our own lives on this special day.  It is not a custom I grew up with, but I think it is a good thing to do.

We had just one group of four trick-or-treaters at our door last night.  E sent a picture of e in her pink butterfly costume, sitting on their front porch with a tub full of candy.

This and that

Yesterday E and I took e for a dermatology consult regarding a "port wine" birthmark on her right cheek.  The pediatrician suggested this, in case there is a prime time to have it removed if her parents choose to do so.  The dermatologist recommended waiting a year or two till e can sit still for the laser procedure.

E had taken the afternoon off so she could run errands after the doctor appointment.  Unfortunately the doctor was running late; we waited 45 minutes in the exam room.  When we finally finished and went back to the car, e protested vigorously about being strapped in.  E found a bag of Cheerios in her purse so I gave them to e a few at a time and helped her drink from my water bottle as we drove. Since E hadn't eaten lunch, we stopped at In'n'Out for a burger for her and fries for me.  I shared a few with e, her first fast food.  We then were able to complete three of the tasks.

Last night we had a thunderstorm with lots of rain, but that didn't stop E and me from going back to the old house and backing up some more boxes.  Progress is being made!  E estimates 5 more Jeep-loads of boxes will empty the house.  We'll see.

Books, moving and a walk

Yesterday e and I went to story time at the nearby library, joining about 8 other children her age, mostly boys.  She stayed close most of the time, but during play time she ventured out among the others and even grabbed a block from a little boy.  She really enjoys being read to.

E and K continue to make progress in moving items from the old house and deciding where they go here.  Some rooms, like e's, are set up about the same.  But there are more rooms here, so options abound.  I have not returned to the other house yet.  Randy asked me what e thinks about the new house.  It seems to me she is fine with it.  Her people are here, her crib and toys are available, her "boys" are still underfoot,  there are still stairs to tackle, the carpet (which she spends a lot of time on)  is very similar...but it would be fascinating to be able to read her mind.

This morning e and I took our first walk in the new neighborhood.  A couple of blocks away there is a lagoon to walk along but it runs beside the street, so it doesn't seem as peaceful as the one I walk by at home.  We saw a handful of mallards swimming, but no other waterfowl; perhaps they will come as temperatures cool.  The winter grass is in full bloom now, lush green in most places.

New house

Yesterday morning two young men and a 17-foot truck arrived at 6:10 AM to move the largest items, such as the leather sectional and sofa bed, washer and dryer.  They were very experienced and efficient and worked together well.  My assignment was to watch e, to keep her entertained and out of the way as the men went up and down stairs, out to the truck and back.  E and K continued to pack clothes and kitchen things, with K putting boxes in his Jeep and driving them over to the new house.  Within about two hours or a little more the movers had loaded the truck, E and K went to the new house, and e and I took a walk, probably our last one along the green belt.

E came back around 10:30 to feed e, who fell asleep in her arms.  After putting her in the little crib, E and I worked some more in the kitchen till e woke up.  Then we drove by Panera for lunch to go and went to our new house.  I'll spare you more details, but there was one funny thing that happened.  The last trip of the day was to bring the "boys" over.  James, the cat, had been confined in a bathroom all day, while Oscar, the Boston terrier, was in his crate in the closet.  K brought them into the new kitchen and freed them from their carriers.  James stalked off, and Oscar ran around and around, never stopping.  In a bit K took him outside, after turning on the pool lights to help keep him out of the water.  But the poor little thing was so excited to be in a new yard he kept his nose to the ground sniffing all the magical smells and managed to fall in the pool anyway, surprising himself and K.  We all slept in our own beds last night.

Today while E, K and e went to Safeway to replenish the larder, I cleaned what will be e's bathroom then swept the downstairs, which has some lovely tile floors.  Right now e is napping and E has returned to the old house to get more small things and the rest of her clothes.  I have a feeling it will be another few days before everything is moved over here, but at least we are able to cook and eat, sleep, and do laundry here.

And tomorrow...back to work.

Cooler

Since E and K both had 7:00 AM meetings today, I took over about 6:30 so they could get into their respective offices.  A little past seven I checked the weather report, 61 degrees here and partly cloudy, with a 50% chance of rain.  So e and I put on sweaters, and I put socks on e then we headed out for a delightful walk!    About halfway through our normal 1 1/4 mile loop we felt raindrops and took a little shortcut home, though it wasn't really raining, just a light drizzle.  I think it was warmer in Alameda today than here; that must be a first!

Restful

This past weekend at home was lovely, even though (or maybe because) it didn't turn out as planned.  Several weeks ago E and I talked about my having an occasional extra day at home.  The first was our anniversary weekend, and the second was October 16 so I could attend the giant Pacific International Quilt Festival with my friend Carol on Friday, then with Dena on Saturday.  It is always fun to spend the day with a friend talking, having lunch, viewing these magnificent quilts.  However at the last minute neither of them could go with me.  So I used my extra day to do some things I don't usually have time for rather than go alone to the quilt show, and as a result felt very good about what I accomplished.  I didn't feel as rushed as I often do on my weekends at home.  My 6:00 AM return flight on Monday gave me four nights/three full days at home.  Thank you, E and K!

I am staying in Phoenix this coming weekend because E and K have bought a larger house about a mile away and will be moving.  So I will watch e as boxes and furniture are carried in and out.  Packing has begun; boxes sit in nearly every room, full of dishes, books, toys.  Some pictures have come down from walls and been wrapped in bubble wrap.  But there is still a lot to do.  Since K owns this house there is not a deadline for completing the move, but they don't want to take too long.  The current plan is to rent this house.

Week 33

Week 33 began yesterday, and this is my 100th blog post.  Wow!  It's a cliche, but so much has happened in the six months I have spent with e and her parents.  As I write this she is pulling up to stand at my chair and demanding my undivided attention.  Some things are harder for ME now that e can interrupt me.  But it is all good.

We just went out on the back deck so e could draw with sidewalk chalk.  Little did I know she would enjoy the pebbles more than the chalk!  She turned 10 months old yesterday; I plan to stay two more months.

"I'll Fly Away"

The memorial service Saturday for Pastor Dave was so uplifting!   The first hymn we sang was the old gospel song "I'll Fly Away."  You may remember it from the movie, "O Brother, Where Art Thou" made several years ago.  It has the phrase, "When I die, hallelujah bye and bye, I'll fly away."  Those in the standing-room-only crowd sang enthusiastically, as Dave would have appreciated.  The choir sang, Dave's daughters each read Scripture, a son-in-law prayed, Pastor Harvey gave a beautiful meditation incorporating stories about Dave.  Communion was served by ministers paired with family members at four stations to accommodate everyone more easily.  A lovely reception followed.

I felt satisfied with the mostly classical pieces I chose for prelude and postlude.  Knowing the choir would take communion after everyone else since they sang "Beautiful Savior" first, I used "Down to the River to Pray" and "Shall We Gather by the River" to fill that time.  Some people began to sing along, which always makes me feel like I made a good choice.  Music for a memorial service or a funeral can be challenging to pick because I don't want it to be dreary or too exuberant.

I had a meeting at 4:00, then Randy and I went to his cousin Jay's house in Castro Valley for dinner.  His aunt and uncle were there, as were Jay's daughter and her three young children.  We hadn't seen the little ones in quite a while, so it was fun to see the 4 and 2 year old play together.

It was a full day.

Technology glitch

Yesterday afternoon when I tried to check my flight status on my iPad, the Southwest website indicated that was not available, to try later.  OK, so I went to my computer to check email, and in the process noticed a news headline about Southwest and a technology glitch that was delaying and even canceling flights.  Here we go again, I thought.  I went to the airport a little early and was glad I didn't have a bag to check when I saw the long lines at the ticket counters.  TSA security went smoothly, and I was sitting at my gate two hours before flight time.  Soon the gate agent announced that paper boarding passes would be required, not a pass on a smart phone.  Many passengers then lined up at customer service to get those.  I had printed mine at home; I don't have a smart phone.

It was very odd to sit there and see planes just waiting at the gates, though not at mine.  I did not see any Southwest planes land or take off for more than an hour.  I heard no PA announcements informing travelers to get to their gate because the door was about to close and they would lose their seats; normally there are many of those.  I was somewhat curious--when would my flight leave?  The monitor said it would depart on time, but I know from personal experience that information on monitors is not always up to date.  At least I could just go home if need be and fly out Monday morning.  But as it turned out, things began to move.  Our aircraft arrived just a bit late, discharged passengers and we boarded, only a few minutes behind schedule.

We are so dependent now on our technology, our ATM and debit cards, our wireless connections, our computerized everything.  I was at Safeway last year when their computer system went out, and no one could check out because what we used to call the cash registers were unable to function.  Remember how nervous some people were 15 years ago, Y2K?  I like using these conveniences, but there can be problems, and when these occur the consequences can be huge.

Week 32

Week 32 of my e watching began Tuesday with E leaving home at 6 AM in order to get to the north side of Phoenix by 8.  It was one of those catch 22 things; while the meeting site was only an hour away, commute traffic played a big role, since E was unable to use the carpool lane.  So she left super-early to insure she would be on time, which she was.  K took over the early morning shift, and I started at 7:30 as usual.  He also came home a little early, so my hours did not change.  Yesterday was the same, with K bringing home supper from Chipotle.  Today E will work from home.

After I finished my quilt Sunday I thought about what to do next.  I have "Narragansett Blues" all pinned and ready to quilt, but I didn't feel like carrying it back here.  And I didn't really want to start a new quilt before that one was done.  So this week I finished knitting my fourth sock and began the next pair.

Cool and damp

Could that possibly be a description of Phoenix?  Yes, indeed.  The high today was maybe 75, and it has rained off and on.  Lovely!! We took a walk this morning, then went out again this afternoon.  I heard drums from the high school a couple of blocks away and thought we might be able to watch the marching band rehearse.  But we couldn't see them.

Poor e had two upsets today.  First, while I was holding her and she was mouthing my shirt, she bit me.  Just a little bite, but I was surprised and said, "Ow!" loudly.  e burst into tears.  Later as she stood by the dining room table, holding on to a chair, she suddenly did a face plant and again screamed.  She scratched the tip of her nose and now looks like Rudolph.

I finished my latest quilt on Sunday but did not get it photographed and mailed.  I'll tray to do that this Saturday.

The pastor at the Lutheran church where I serve as organist died peacefully yesterday at home, with his wife and sister at his side.  He was 61 and had been at the church for 10 years.  He will be missed.

Busy little girl

Candy, the physical therapist, came this week and gave e high marks for her progress.  She was pleased to see e crawling on hands and knees (seldom on her belly now) and pulling up to stand by the couch, chair, coffee table, almost anything that's stationary.  She explained how difficult crawling is for the brain, to separate upper and lower body, for the back to be firm yet flexible, for arms and legs to move independently.  And since e is focused on moving right now, talking may come a bit later.  A girl's brain can only handle so much at once!  "e the explorer" is a curious child.   Anything on the floor is likely to be examined by hands and maybe mouth.  She has improved a lot at feeding herself bits of fruit and meat.

Today she will take her first plane trip, to Long Beach, to visit her new cousin born last week.  I am eager to hear how that goes!

Story time

Yesterday e and I got in the car and drove to the main library in downtown Chandler for story time for the lapsit bunch.  I don't know why it took me so long to do this; e has enjoyed books for a long time.  About twenty children, ages 1-18 months, sat on a colorful rug, each with a caregiver/parent (one man, the rest women).  The librarian read several books, led us in songs and finger play, then brought out a basket of toys.  Some children were better at sharing than others.  We each received a card with the suggestion of a book to read and an activity to foster language skills.  A new card is given out each week.  I liked seeing how many people want their babies to enjoy reading.

At first e just sat with me, looking at all these other little ones like her, but then she began to explore a bit, crawling over to the librarian and pulling up on her leg.  During the play time, she boldly grabbed a long clear tube filled with colorful beads that made a nice noise when shaken.  I have discovered the branch library a couple of blocks away also has story time for this age group, so we will try that out next Monday.

We want e to have experience being in a group of children her own age before she starts daycare in December, and this seems like an easy way to do that.

Oh, that's what they're for!

I'm sitting beside e as she eats her breakfast of cheesy eggs and pear.  When we began in earnest to give her finger food a couple of weeks ago she could pick up the bits of pear or squash and even bring them to her mouth.  But it seemed like she didn't know how to release them from her fingers to her mouth.  Now she does!  She wears a plastic bib with Dr. Seuss characters; it has a pocket to catch bits of this and that which don't make it into E's mouth.  Last night we were eating the edible arrangement of fruit that K's mom sent E for her birthday. I put a slice of cantaloupe to E's mouth, thinking she would just lick it as she had juice bars, but no, it came away with little teeth marks!  She seems to have figured out that's what those four little teeth can do now.

This is all good.  When she starts daycare in December, she needs to be able to feed herself and drink from a sippy cup, so we are beginning to work on those skills.

Good news

Thursday e visited the pediatric neurologist again, who confirmed the good results of her recent EEG and ordered one more to be done in December after she has been off her medication for six weeks or so.  If those results are also normal, she won't have to return for several months.  The longer she goes with no declaration of injury, the better.

Friday I was tired, having slept poorly the night before.  Little e did not want to take her usual morning nap, but did fall asleep in her high chair at lunch time with slivers of pot roast and peaches on the tray.  I managed to get her into bed and she slept 30 minutes.  I think my own tiredness prevented me from recognizing hers later in the afternoon.  Finally her fussiness rang a bell--"Oh, maybe she's sleepy!"  Sure enough, I put her in bed about 4 and she slept over an hour.  She is so active now that I'm sure she needs to rest and restore energy.

The flight home left on time and arrived early; in fact Randy and I were driving home before the plane was scheduled to land!  I'm keeping track of my flights, whether they are on time.  The majority have been, but more than I expected have been delayed.

Follow the finger

Although e isn't using words yet, she can sometimes indicate what she wants by pointing with one of her index fingers.  It might be a book she wants, or to go outside, or to fall into her daddy's arms, or to leave her bedroom at nap time.  I'm sure we guess wrong at times, but often she seems pleased with what we do so I suppose we get it right at least occasionally!

She is moving around much more now, crawling on all fours or on her belly, coming into the kitchen or dining room, pulling up beside the couch to reach a favorite book.  It is a joy to see and a reminder to be vigilant.

Last night I worked till about 11 pin-basting my latest quilt on the floor of my room.  When I finished   I picked things up, opened up the bed (remember, it's a sofa bed), and read for a few minutes before turning out the light.  At 3:15 or so I woke up to e's crying.  I waited to let E or K get her out of her crib (she sleeps in her own room now), but after 5 or 10 minutes I decided I wasn't going back to sleep any time soon so I went and picked her up.  Immediately she relaxed and I thought she was asleep.  Alas, that was not the case.  The crying soon resumed.  Still no parent.  I opened her door wider and was considering getting her mom or a bottle when E walked in.  Apparently the monitor was turned off and they hadn't heard the crying.  This is the first time I have gotten up with her.  After feeding she was awake a while but did return to sleep.  I was also awake a while, which is probably why I turned off my alarm and then got up late.  But the rest of the day has been smooth so far.

Water from the sky

Yes, indeed, it was considerably cooler yesterday, so e and I took a walk in the morning with a fine mist washing over us.  Delightful!  About 4:00 we went out on the back patio to listen to the wind chimes (e really likes hearing them) and feel the strong breeze and more droplets of water.  What else could we do but get the stroller out again and take another walk, shorter this time because the rain drops got fatter and I didn't want to get too far away, not knowing if it might begin to pour.  As we headed back a little boy, about 10 years old, ran up, smiled, and said, "Excuse me, Ma'am, would you like to use my umbrella?"  I replied, "No, thank you, we're almost home," and smiled cheerfully.  What a sweet boy!

This morning we walked again.  It wasn't raining, but it was still cool and cloudy.  The sun makes such a difference when it is beating down on you.

Two for two

Yesterday E sent a video of e titled "another day, another skill," in which she was pushing her little walker across the living room.  Granted, she wasn't standing up straight or keeping her feet in a straight line as she pushed, but she was definitely propelling the walker and moving on her own with K close by.  A first!

This morning I put her down for a nap, then went downstairs and turned on the video monitor.  She sat up and before long had pulled herself up to stand in her crib.  Another first!

These first few months have been full of new accomplishments, and more are to come.

I enjoyed seeing Sarah and Erik this weekend, and his mother and sister from Knoxville, TN (their first visit to the Bay Area).  We ate out a couple of times, and they all came to church with me.  Friday they visited Muir Woods and crossed the Golden Gate Bridge.  Today the plan was to take the ferry to San Francisco and visit Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 and other places.  I hope they have a good time.

Today is better

Yesterday began with a trip to the pediatrician for e's 9-month checkup.  She looks healthy, 20 pounds, 28 inches tall.  The doctor gave us advice on starting finger foods and recommended oatmeal twice a day instead of once because her iron level is a bit low.  She received two vaccinations and the first of two flu shots.  Then E dropped e and me at home and went to the office.  It was a frustrating day for me; e was clingy, probably due to her shots, and I was impatient with her because I had some news that should not have upset me but it did.  Plus the house was hot, and I was just tired of the whole thing. Sitting on the floor, being climbed on, my shirt grabbed for support, very little time alone, I was a whiner!

But today I am content and cool and kind once again.  K went in to work a little later, which gave me time for a two-mile walk by myself in the 73 or so degree morning.  We shopped at Safeway for a few items.  We had fun playing and reading, and e climbed up two stairs by herself.  Tonight E gave her some pieces of banana, which stuck to the high chair tray and were difficult to pick up, but when a bite was placed in her mouth she gummed it.  So a new phase of eating has begun--finger food!  I'm working on a new quilt, which gives me pleasure, and I received a lovely email from organist supreme John Walko with suggestions for music when a pastor has terminal cancer.

I've had just a couple of these bad days, when I wish I had never volunteered to care for e, just as many parents do when faced with the daily work of a baby.  But they didn't last, and I'm still here, ready for a new day tomorrow.

Another year older

The extra day at home this past weekend allowed me to get some things done on Friday so I had more free time on Saturday to do things like walk down to the farmers' market with Linda.  Randy had suggested we eat lunch at Trabocco then go see the movie "Shaun the Sheep" to celebrate my birthday and our 38th anniversary.  The film was very funny, a cartoon with no speaking.  We also enjoyed lunch on the restaurant's patio; though the day was gray and a bit chilly, there were heaters to warm us, and we saw some friends walk by, so it was fun to be outside.

Friday afternoon Randy made my birthday "cake," a lovely pecan pie.  We talked about inviting someone over to share it but didn't get around to it.  I ate the last slice for breakfast on Sunday.  Yes, indeed, the two of us ate the whole thing.  Yummy!

It's a mystery to me

In recent days e has decided she does NOT like having her diaper changed.  I lay her on the changing pad (a 3 or 4 inch-thick piece of  fabric-covered foam fastened on top of her storage unit), and immediately she begins to cry, twisting her body this way and that, pushing back till her head is off the pad.  It wasn't too long ago that she did not want to lie on her tummy; now she can't wait to turn over, not understanding how difficult that makes it for a diaper change.  So, you may ask, why not do her diaper on the floor?  Downstairs we do, and that eases the concern about her rolling off the table, but she still twists and cries, flailing her arms.  Sometimes a small toy or a song will distract and calm her, but not as reliably as in the past.

If it weren't frustrating, it would be delightful to see her exerting her will.  Last night K asked E to wait a minute then he would help with a diaper change, and E realized I had no helper during the day so why did she need one?  I'm sure she was just sharing the experience with K.  😀

Week 28

Here I am, back in Phoenix, sitting at E's table eating breakfast.  It will be a short week here since I fly home on Thursday night.  Several weeks ago I mentioned to E that I would like to be home for our anniversary (Sept 11), and that led to the discussion about some days off.  E and K will take e to the hospital for her next EEG Friday, so it is a good day for me to be away.

Cool!

Yesterday afternoon my friend Dena came over for a game of Scrabble and talking.  While we both enjoy the game and play to win, we are not super-competitive about it, and our sessions always include lots of sharing of family news.  She was just in Hawaii to visit her mother and other family.

E sent a picture of e standing and holding on to a wagon, captioned, "Guess who pulled herself up to stand today?"  Another milestone achieved.  Hurray!  E and family drove home from PV during the day rather than waiting for e to fall asleep after supper.  That's what they did when they left here on Friday, arriving at K's mom's house about 1:45 AM, but apparently e was then awake till 3:30, which made for a short night! So they changed the plan.

Last night the fan went in the window to draw in the night air and cool down the house in anticipation of today's 92 degrees.  When I came down for breakfast this morning at 6 (I know, I just can't seem to sleep in), I closed the window in the blue room and opened the patio doors downstairs, then sat huddled in my long terry robe with the hood up to eat my Cheerios.  What luxury, to feel that fresh breeze.  Today I have a load of wash to do, then will finish packing for my return to Phoenix this evening.

What was it like, being home for three weeks?  Lovely to see Randy every day, especially to see his interactions with e.  Grandpa Bootcamp is indeed different than Grandma's!  I enjoyed the cooler weather, though there were warm days.  Several friends came by to visit me and e.  Grocery shopping was easier, now that e can sit securely in the cart.  I did not do some things I had envisioned, like sewing or genealogy research, but did play the piano often, and e sat quietly in her stroller at the church while I played organ a couple of times.  (On Saturdays I practiced without her.)  All in all, this has been a welcome break, and I am thankful for the effort E and K put into making it happen.

Quiet

It's just the two of us now.  E, K and e left here at 6:45 Friday evening after eating supper, packing the car and feeding e.  They arrived in Palos Verdes, where K's mother lives, about seven hours later.  They plan to head back to Phoenix later today, and tomorrow evening I fly back.  Yesterday, after my 9:30 appointment for a mammogram and some time at the organ, we began to restore the house to its pre-visit state, washing sheets, moving the couch and coffee table back to their place, taking the leaf out of the dining room table, putting toys and books in a basket, vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms.  In ten days Sarah and Erik arrive for a week.  His mother and sister are flying out from Tennessee, as they do almost every fall, and decided to visit the Bay Area instead of San Diego, so S and E will come up here to see them and stay with us.  We have met E's mom but not his sister (they are staying here in town but not with us).  Anyway, I want to get things ready for their visit.

K sent a text yesterday asking if I was enjoying the quiet.  Yes, and no.  I do enjoy being able to read the paper or blog or play Words with Friends without interruption, not keeping my ear open for e's wake-up call.  But we both liked having E and her family around.  She said that phrase struck her, "My daughter and her family are here," when she heard Randy use it in a call to a co-worker.  I guess it made her feel more grown-up or independent from us or something.  I am thankful E and K made the effort to drive up here so Randy could spend time with e and we all could revel in the cooler air.  K especially liked being able to wear a sweatshirt a few times!

Pay attention, Grandma!

This morning e ate steak for the first time.  Granted it didn't exactly look like what you and I would call steak since it was puréed, but it was beef.  She didn't eat much for E, but when I brought out the bowl again a little later, I set up the iPad to Skype with my dad.  She seemed to remember Grandpa Great and smiled a lot with her mouth open, so I successfully put the food in.  Next we went by the church to drop off some tapes for a book sale, then shopped at Trader Joe's.  She fell asleep in the car on the way home but woke up and took her bottle at home.  So we went on to Safeway to finish our grocery shopping.  At noon she ate some pears and beets without much enthusiasm, and I left her strapped into her high chair beside me while I finished my lunch.  She was very quiet; after a few minutes I looked over, and the poor child had fallen asleep sitting up.  I unstrapped her, carried her upstairs and laid her in the crib without her waking.  I felt bad that I hadn't been paying closer attention to her.  I guess she was tired!

She is such a loving little girl.  She smiles a lot and hugs me when I take over each morning.  She often initiates play now, rolling a ball to me or pulling my hair.  I will miss her so much when my weekly visits end.

Week 27

Yesterday marked the beginning of week 27 of my adventures with e and her parents.  I took e to the church with me to practice organ, and the office manager made a fun video of e at the console.  After lunch a friend came by to meet e.  Her daughter and husband are foster parents and have just had to return a child they fostered for nearly a year to her (possible) father.  What heartache!

Sunday E and K bought e an activity table designed to encourage her to pull up and stand to play with various devices on the table top.  She enjoys it a lot, reaching out to grab and manipulate the noise-making objects.

The C word

Last week a friend revealed that the melanoma he had 18 months ago has metastasized to his liver.  While he is hopeful, the prognosis is not good.  Then a couple of days ago, a family member told us she just discovered she has breast cancer.  Last night at a dinner with some friends, one told us she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.  It looks like I will have the opportunity to learn how to talk with and support these people in my life, as well as their spouses.  It is a lesson I wish I didn't have to face.  One asks that we "stay positive and pray."  I will try.

Out and about

Yesterday e and I walked down to the bank to deposit my church check, then stopped at Safeway to buy milk and bread.  We followed the lagoon path home and saw a mother Mallard with eight ducklings swimming beside her.  After her afternoon nap e jumped back in her stroller---OK, that's a slight exaggeration---and we walked to the library to pick up two books held on reserve, one for Randy and one for me. I really like this neighborhood, being able to walk to the bank, grocery, drug store, restaurants, water.  And, of course, the weather.  We can take our walk any time of day.

Yes, it is hot in Phoenix three or four months of the year, just as in Minneapolis it is very cold three or four months.  One adjusts to the climate.  I guess to me the heat seems a little more uncomfortable.

Grandpa great

Just a quick post to say we had a very pleasant weekend with my dad and his wife, visiting from Illinois to meet e.  She did well sitting in a high chair both times we went out to eat.  Last night Dena came by, then K's brother and girlfriend, so I ordered 3 pizzas for supper for the 9 adults.  The living room was full of people, but e took it all in stride, for about ten minutes.  Then she announced in no uncertain terms that it was her bedtime.

Dad said one of his sisters called their grandmother (or was it a great-grandmother?) "Grandma great," so that is what he wants e to call him.  We practiced.  I like the sound of that.

See-saw day

Today was one of those days when by 1:30 I was looking at my watch to see how long it would be until E finished working and took over e's care.  On the other hand, for the first time today e maneuvered herself from flat on her tummy to a sitting position, and the more often she did it the better she got.  A true milestone, one we've been watching for.  So, back and forth, down and up.

Open windows!

Little e arrived with her parents Sunday afternoon after a smooth drive up from SoCal.  They pronounced the new room arrangement better than last time.  I've taken e for a walk twice now, pointing out the ducks, squirrels and night herons.  The cool mornings feel lovely.

Last night our friend Dena invited us all over for dinner.  Her brother Alex from Germany is here with his family, and we enjoyed spending time with them again.  I had to borrow a sweater for the walk home!

So far e does not seem to miss her own house.  Of course, her parents are here, and we brought a few of her toys and books.  I pulled out a few toys left over from 30 years ago, and she is having fun with them also.

Would you believe...

On a clear, sunny Thursday E and K (and, of course, e) dropped me off at the airport about 6 PM on their way out of town, headed to Palos Verde where K's mother lives.  The security line moved quickly, and I was glad to see my flight 1270 showed as on time.  Hopeful, I sat at gate C2 to wait.  Before long came the news of delay due to mechanical issues; the 7:25 flight was now estimated to depart at 9:00, though the gate agent warned that could change.  I decided to wait it out, and waiting is what I did.  Before long, the estimated arrival changed to 10:30, at which point I stood in line to be placed on the stand-by list for a flight due out at 9:10.  I waited a bit, watching the monitor along with other passengers, and soon saw I could get a boarding pass for flight 2725 to Oakland.  However, we heard that plane was also delayed and not due till 11:30.  So back to the first gate I went, standing in line again for another boarding pass for my original flight; there were lots of seats available since many of us had changed to 2725.

About 10:30 boarding began and things looked good.  But then the pilots announced they just had been re-assigned to a Chicago flight, and new pilots would be on board soon for us.  Indeed we had a co-pilot in 15 or 20 minutes.  When a pilot walked on after a bit longer, cheers erupted!  Finally we would be on our way.  As we pushed back from the gate, from my window seat I saw a ground crew person cross his arms, as if to say "stop."  The plane stopped, and the pilot announced they saw a fuel leak from one of the engines and while a small drip is normal, they wanted to check this.  And who could complain about that?  Back to the gate.  After 10 or 15 minutes of revving the engine, the plane was declared out of service, and the flight attendant said they were trying to find us another aircraft.  So we deplaned and I headed once again to the counter to see this time about a morning flight.  After just a few minutes, while I was still in line, news came that a plane had been found at gate C17. So off we went, down that long corridor with two moving walks, if you know Sky Harbor.  (By the way, E and family were in PV by this time.)

A new gate agent announced he had been on his way home when called back to work our flight.  We didn't show him much sympathy, I must say.  He had  paperwork to do, he said, so we might as well sit down.  I think some passengers (who had been last to board) wanted to be at the front of the line, but the agent soon had a list of us from earlier and we were called in groups of three to board according to our original numbers.  Once again we were on a plane, waiting this time as the passenger count on paper and in seats disagreed.  But FINALLY we pushed back at 1:10 AM, on our way to Oakland.

I believe the gate agents and crew did their best to get us on our way.  They were calm, friendly, tried to keep us informed.  But mechanical problems must be dealt with.  Weather was also given as a reason for delay, but I didn't see how that fit, though my knowledge of routes is limited.  Maybe the powers-that-be did not want us to think their planes are in poor shape so they blamed weather, an uncontrollable factor.  I will continue to fly Southwest.

We landed about 2:50, and I was in bed by 3:20.

Week 24

I arrived here on Tuesday, March 3, so today begins week 24 of my adventure with a baby.  Not just any baby, of course, but my very special first granddaughter, made even more special (if such a thing is possible) when her parents gave her my name as her middle name.  

Today is very windy and cloudy; I wonder if a monsoon is on its way.  Better today than Thursday.  Why?  Because we are preparing for three weeks in Alameda.  So laundry must be done, planning for clothes and toys for e, getting food and meds for the cat and dog (who will stay with K's mom), emptying the refrigerator of things that might spoil, etc.  E has lists.  The current plan is to leave Thursday afternoon, taking me to the airport on the way out of town.  So we don't want a storm that day.

This past Saturday I bought a few things for e, to help both of us adjust to a different play area.  We want to rearrange the guest room a bit, having seen the need to after E and K's visit in May.  And I'm looking forward to grocery shopping, believe it or not.  I cook differently than Randy does when he is on his own and need to stock up for four adults and infant.  My dad and his wife plan to arrive next week to meet the baby, so lots of new things for her to experience.

Thunder!  

Not again!

Yesterday morning we had a little rain, but soon the skies cleared...mostly.  My flight left Nashville on time so I expected a smooth trip home.  Nope, didn't happen.  When I arrived at the airport in a gentle rain, the plane showed as on time.  But lightning interfered with airport operations and caused a ground stop.  My plane, which had apparently been circling the area for 20-30 minutes, diverted to Las Vegas.  After the cancellation last week and adventure in Burbank, I stood in line to ask the gate agent about changing flights, but there did not seem to be a better option.  I sat back down, drooping a little.  One thing led to another, and soon my 6:50 flight was listed as 9:50 (the exact same time as last Friday, an omen?), at which point I went back to the gate agent and asked about a morning flight.  Yes!  There was a non-stop at 7:55 with seats available.  I called E, and K came to pick me up; I spent the night in my bed, then flew home this morning.

How do YOU make choices when faced with a situation like this?  It turns out the plane left Phoenix by 9:50, then to Burbank and on to Oakland without any crew members timing out, arriving here about 12:40 AM.  K and I made extra trips to Sky Harbor, and I lost a bit of time here at home because I was a little concerned about timing.  If not for last week's mess, I would have just waited for the delayed plane.  I tried to evaluate the odds of a situation repeating itself and decided not to risk it.

Home or office?

E often telecommutes, one of the benefits of her position at the bank.  As is probably common at many work places, there is often a need for more space.  When a facilities staffer noticed E was not at her desk daily, her manager was approached about having E share a desk.  Now the dilemma arises.  Since e takes three bottles a day, E needs to pump three times also.  There is a mother's room at work where she can sit in comfort and privacy to do this, but there is no cell reception or Internet (which is reasonable since it's not designed to be a work space), so E can't work.  She does enjoy the large monitor her desk computer has because it makes some work easier.  I don't know if anyone else from her group is actually in the same building; they seem to be scattered across the country.  K works in the same facility so they can meet for coffee or a noon-time walk around the grounds.  On the other hand, E likes working from home because she often can accomplish more than when she is at the office.  She can pump as she works, though not during phone calls, and doesn't have to spend time walking to and from the mother's room.  Seeing e during the day is fun for all of us.  The pumping situation should end within a few months as e is weaned and presumably E would be in the office more often.  The bank has made accommodations for nursing mothers, maybe not perfect but helpful, so I hope E is able to continue her mixed schedule of home and office.

When her manager returns from vacation next week, I'm sure they will figure it out.

Busy day

This morning we straightened up the living room a bit.  E was able to reschedule the physical therapist's appointment for today; we'll be in Alameda the day of the original appointment.  She is very pleased with e's progress.  Everything looks just fine, she is on track if not ahead in every way we can tell so far.  The PT thought e looks about ready to crawl and said visits to new places provide additional stimulation; in her experience children often return from vacation with new skills.  Then after a nap e and I went to the post office to mail a package to San Diego.  When Sarah and Erik were here for Father's Day, Erik left the book he was reading, The Martian, about an astronaut stranded on Mars.  I read it, then E did, so we are just now returning it to Erik.  The book has been made into a movie starring Matt Damon, due for release this fall.  It will be interesting to see how the book, full of exposition, adapts to film.

Monsoon! Part two

By this time it was midnight, and my brain was not at its most alert after the evening's events.  I had no connections or family in Burbank to call on for assistance, and no smart phone to help me search for a hotel.  The airport was closing as soon as we were all taken care of; no cabs lingered out front.   I had chosen to re-book on the 7:15 AM flight to Oakland since I have so little time at home on weekends, so even if I could get to a hotel there wouldn't be much time to sleep before I had to return to the airport.  Putting all of these factors together I decided to join several other passengers who also had elected to spend the night at Burbank Bob Hope Airport.

TSA regulations require the gate area to be closed since there were no flights, so we trooped out to the ticket counter area.  Most people had luggage to pick up, some of which was wet inside due to the rains.  At least they had toothbrushes; not me, since I travel with just a book to read and odds and ends.  (I now have a toothbrush in my bag, just in case.)  I chose a chair and plopped down with my iPad open to a book.  After a while some Southwest people brought out cans of juices and water, cups, ice in a cooler, and bags of peanuts to snack on since restaurants in the terminal were closed.  The cleaning crew vacuumed, the lights stayed bright, the background music blared in the quiet, every few minutes we were reminded not to accept bags from strangers---not a quiet night but we were in a cool place with restrooms available, all in all not awful.  When E was in Paris years ago, she slept on the sidewalk when the train terminal closed and everyone had to leave the building.

I tried a time or two to put my head down and nap, but it didn't work.  At least one man lay on the floor, covered his eyes and slept; I heard him snoring.  But I didn't want to lie on the floor.  I walked around a bit, but mostly I read and talked to others who were stranded.

By 5:30 TSA opened the security checkpoint and we began to move back to the gate area.  Coffee shops opened by 6, providing caffeine and food.  My plane was already sitting there; I guess it also spent the night at Bob Hope.  We boarded via the stairs to the front and back of the 737 and left on time.  I arrived in Oakland about 8:15, Randy picked me up promptly.  After a quick shower I left for my committee meeting at church, having discovered that I am usually fine in the morning after a sleepless night but fatigue sets in by late afternoon.

The Southwest agents were calm, at least when I was fourth in line.  Perhaps by the last passengers, after repeating the same information and apologies many times, they were not quite as polite; I don't know.  One traveler said she would never fly Southwest again.  I won't go that far, but I will brush up on what my rights are as a passenger on a cancelled flight.  In all my trips to and from Phoenix this year, this is the worst experience.  I've had delayed flights, which are tiresome, but no cancellations.  I've never been stuck in a plane sitting on the tarmac for hours.

The return trip to Phoenix on Sunday left on time.

Monsoon! Part one

Last Friday I had the unexpected--and unwanted--opportunity to explore the Burbank airport due to a monsoon in Phoenix.  How did that happen, you ask?  Let me tell you about my adventure.

Friday afternoon I checked the status of my flight, glad to see it was on time.  I noticed the wind was picking up and the sky filling with clouds, but didn't worry about it.  K and I stopped at Jamba Juice on the way to the airport; while I waited in the car I saw quite a bit of lightning to the west.  As we merged onto the freeway the clouds burst and rain poured down, slowing traffic.  My first monsoon, or summer storm, had arrived.  "I hope your flight isn't delayed," said K.  We arrived at Sky Harbor safely, and I went through security quickly.  At my gate I was relieved to see the flight was still expected on time, though I heard announcements of diverted and delayed flights.  (Today I heard there was an hourlong ground stop during the storm, which included a dust storm.)  Soon, however, my bubble of relief popped as my flight joined others diverted to Las Vegas.  The gate area was full of passengers waiting, eating, reading, talking, uncertain of when they would be on their way.  Some of the sound system did not work, so I kept getting up to check the monitors for the latest information.  Even when I could tell someone was making an announcement I often could not tell what they said due to people talking.

Finally, my plane, which had left Nashville about 2:15 Pacific time, arrived and we boarded, taking off at 9:55, three hours behind schedule.  The 1 1/2 hour flight to Burbank was smooth, we landed, some passengers got off, others boarded and prepared for the trip north to Oakland.  After a few minutes the captain announced the flight was canceled; the co-pilot had " timed out" and could not fly any more.  Since they had not been able to find a substitute we were out of luck.  I hurried off the plane in order to be one of the first in line to get a new ticket and whatever else was offered.  Southwest gave us each a travel voucher for $200, and booked many on flights to Oakland Saturday, but they had no hotel vouchers, I suppose because there had been other flight problems.  What were we to do?

Another walk

Based on Liz's insight on yesterday's post, I decided to try a walk again this morning.  The 86 degrees didn't seem quite as warm today, perhaps because the sun stayed behind the clouds the whole time.  I took water for e, but she apparently did not feel the need for it, since she swallowed very little.  And when we got back to the house it didn't take me as long to cool off as yesterday.  So maybe I will try more often to be outside.  The change of scenery is good for both e and me.

Thanks, Liz!

It's hot!

When I saw the cloudy sky about eight this morning, I stepped out on the deck to see how warm it was.  Since it didn't feel too bad I got out the stroller, got my sunglasses and water bottle, and took e for a short walk.  Perhaps "stroll" would be more accurate.  We saw sprinklers watering grass, heard doves cooing, noticed a couple of children carrying backpacks.  In less than thirty minutes we were back home unlocking the front door and stepping into the house, which felt cool even though the thermostat is now set at 77.  Then I checked the weather report; it was 88 outside, heading toward 106.  We both drank some water.  It was our first walk in two or three weeks.

Going from the house to the car to a store, the heat doesn't seem too bad, though parking lots are much hotter than grassy areas.  Perhaps if I walked every day I would get used to being out in the high temps, but I don't expect to try.

Bounce!

Yesterday I put e in her jumperoo, which is a seat surrounded by a tray with various toys that spin or move and suspended by three large springs (covered, of course, to prevent injuries).  Previously she has just sat in it; even though her feet reach the floor she didn't try to bounce.  Until yesterday.  What glee on her face as she realized what she could do by bending her knees and pushing!  And E and I also beamed.

"Round and Around"

Several months ago I saw a picture of a similar quilt on Bonnie Hunter's blog.  Someone (her name was not given) attending one of her workshops had brought it in for the show-and-tell time.  It intrigued me:  the use of small pieces, the movement, the randomness.  It seemed a great way to use lots of scraps.  This is the second piece I've made at E's.  I finished it last week.  It's about 46" by 48", composed of over 900 1" by 2" (finished) rectangles.  As I worked on it, I called it a Legos quilt because the pieces reminded me of the little blocks.  Most of the rectangles were cut from odd-shaped scraps left over from other projects.   The stitching began with two blocks side by side in the center then each round increased by one on a side till I decided it was large enough; the outermost row has 22 rectangles on each side.  As I approached the end of the pieces I'd cut, the quilt seemed to call for some kind of border or frame; I had enough of the bright blue to do the job.  I had planned to try a new quilting stitch, a spiral, but after 5 or 6 attempts, I just did stitch in the ditch, outlining the long rows.  The binding is a rainbow stripe.

It was really fun to make; I smiled a lot as I sewed.  I did not buy any new fabric for the project, using scraps I already had on hand.  It will live in my room at E's house.

I've already begun the next quilt, which is a mix of four-patch, 4" squares and 4" by 8" rectangles, again made from scraps and fabric I have on hand.  I'm trying to refrain from buying anything new until I make a significant dent in my stash!