Chillin' in Chicago

I didn't go there for the views from the apartment,
although they were spectacular.

I went there for little Rella May
who was more spectacular, by a mile.

... and for her mommy & daddy.
(Here, with a bouquet of baby clothing,
rolled to imitate roses.
A darling gift from Duane's company.)

Sometimes this little dumpling is completely SERENE.
(She's sucking her finger, NOT her toe.)

Sometimes, she's Rella the Rodeo Queen.
The photo above was taken on her 4th day of life.

This little gal flips over and does all sorts of athletic feats.

She can even do these yoga poses:

Downward Facing Dog
& Cobra Pose

If you don't believe me, go to Chicago.

For seven nights,
I witnessed THIS million dollar view
right from my pillow.
(The above shot was taken while laying in bed.)

Then, I'd wake up to a new vista,
infusing me with inspiration for a new day.
Different angle, standing on the bed. 6:15 a.m.

I guess you could say,
my kids live in a bubble.

Baby Rella is happy there.

And, for eight days,
I was happy there too.

FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE: Gotta say, these new parents are 200% delighted with their daughter, taking pleasure in her every coo and facial expression. I don't know who is cuter - Rella or her parents in their ecstasy.

I marvel at Kelty's intuitive way with her baby. She has adapted to motherhood with amazing grace. Even the long nights. They don't seem to bother her. (Yet.)

AND, she's regained her strength in record time. Of course, it helps to have a grandma there to cook and clean and care for the baby when Mommy needs a nap. My other daughter, Leah, arrived today so Kelty gets a little more family support before flying solo.

On Monday, our mamacita managed four hours at school, entrusting her baby to Daddy and Grandma Ginger. That was just five days after the birth. In case you haven't followed her life, Kelty is attending graduate school (part time) at Adler University. Duane will be Rella's primary caregiver every Monday afternoon while Mommy's schoolin it.

Let me just say, I'm NOT worried about whether or not Daddy can Handle It. Actually, he is gifted with babies. My other children (who are parents) have learned that Duane can "fix" a fussing child like magic. He simply has a WAY.

Undoubtedly, Rella will flourish.

This grandma feels blessed.

Born TODAY!

This morning, my baby became a mother.

The look on Kelty's face just says it all . . .

relief . . . amazement . . . profound joy.

(And you can't help but notice,
she's been working MIGHTY HARD!)

Here's the proud papa.

The parents have named this precious child
Rella May.

Born @ 10:15 a.m.
January 27th, 2010
7 lbs. 7 oz.
20" long

Heavenly Theatrics

Yesterday, I hiked the front side of our mountain.

The view across the valley was worthy of hauling my telephoto lens.

SO COOL the way the cloud patterns reflected
on the frozen surface of the lake in our valley.
(SEE BELOW.)

It's a bigger lake than most people imagine.
Big enough for Cloud Silhouetting.

West Mountain -again below- hasn't much of a name . . .

(Photo taken from my hot tub deck after my hike.)

. . . but it's fascinating to observe SKY DRAMA
which takes place around ole West Mountain.

Here's an early evening shot, taken at a slightly different angle.

Definitely, a storm was brewing.

And I thought of my mom reading us Winnie the Pooh . . .

Oh the wind is lashing lustily
And the trees are thrashing thrustily
And the leaves are rustling gustily.

Yes, indeed.
It became rather BLUSTERY in Utah.

* * *
These last three shots were taken TODAY.

OH WHAT PASSIONATE HEAVENLY THEATRICS!

I simply couldn't live in other parts of the country
where the skies are generally blah
and the clouds are not clearly defined.
Places without hearty doses of our local SKY DRAMA.

Such a thrill to look across our valley and say,

THERE.

Snow (or rain) is falling THERE.

For example, the photo below.
See how the clouds have broken open
right between the two mountain?

I can easily imagine the deer, the pines,
maybe even some mere mortals
getting a dusting of white powder,
over THERE.

Tonight the clouds have brought the snow right to my doorstep.

I just heard the snow plow rumbling up the hill.

The driveway will need shoveling.

Still, I love it. Oh I do.

Hippie Jill

She did it AGAIN.

Hip, hip HURRAY!

My dear daughter-in-law got her SECOND hip replacement in less than six months after her first one. Why did this skinny little gal need to get herself a set of new hips? Read HERE.

The above shot was taken 5 days after surgery when she was hiking up and down the street with her home health physical therapist (who is holding my grandson's hand.)

My responsibilities during her recovery = cooking and luvin' up those grandkids. Now, who couldn't adore a babe like THIS???

As long as she has a BOOK in hand, Miss Audrey is a happy camper. NO toys compare.

On the other hand, Mr. Kenneth required more involvement and I was PREPARED. I came down with two boxes of Cool Stuff, like this train:


I also brought some innovative crayons which he found very entertaining for OTHER purposes besides drawing:

Jill's willpower propelled her into a record-breaking recovery. She was OFF the walker in four days. OFF the cane in more three days. Jumping back into mothering in a blink of an eye.

At the end of the 10th day, mom and dad made the brave decision that they were ready to manage on their own. The last night of my stay, Arian and Jill created a bit of spontaneous music, a favorite passtime in their household:

On my last morning in Nevada, my son took this shot of Kenneth and I waiting for the school bus.


This three-year-old is one smart little whipper-snapper. None-the-less, he qualifies for early intervention due to a speech delay. This was my last moment with him . . .

If you want to get JILL'S take on her unique way of Ringing in the New Year, go HERE. She's got a sense of humor to beat the band and she'll surely make you laugh.

Christmas in the Midwest

For the first time since 1975, I was far from home for the Christmas holidays.

My first destination was SHEEcago where Kelty and Duane reside at 'Harbor Point' located downtown on the little peninsula that juts right out to Lake Michigan. They live in the cylinder-shaped part of the building. What a panoramic view!

(Sorry, friends. This is a stock photo , but the real thing is just as incredible.)

Kelty is growing by leaps and bounds. Just a few weeks until her little chickadee makes an appearance. The pregnancy has gone smoothly, even through the rigors of graduate school.

Located near their home is a place called Navy Pier where tourists board cruise ships, visit museums, shop til they drop, eat til they're stuffed, and RIDE THE FERRIS WHEEL.

We rode.

It was about 15 degrees outside, but we did it.

AND, we got this cool shot, just after de-boarding.

As Christmas drew nigh, Kelty and I packed our holiday gifts into her Toyota and headed east to Columbus where Leah (my other daughter) and her family live. About a six-hour drive.

Leah and Cody are parents to three lovely little lassies who are full of rip-roaring energy. Ages 1,3 & 6.

We built tents (out of sheets, which they really loved), frolicked to Christmas music, baked cookies for Santa, played games, and SOME of us took naps!

The morning after our arrival, we took a dip at their community pool. It even had an indoor "Lazy River". Quite a CLASSY facility, really.

* * * * * *

On Christmas Eve, Duane logged off from work, hopped onto a flight from Chicago and joined the gang in Ohio.

Here's the traditional shot that EVERYONE takes. Unfortunately, we weren't brilliant with the whole tri-pod thing so Leah was behind the camera instead of in the picture.

As for the presents . . .

Brinley, the eldest, was delighted with the COLOSSAL gift from Santa -

a dramatic play kitchen

which Daddy spent a good part of Christmas day assembling.

3 year-old Avery was quite content with a new set of puzzles
which she could assemble all by HERSELF.

Parting shot for 2009 -

Left to right: Brinley, Grandma Ginger, Avery, Leah, Aspen.

Kelty Is Blossoming

Celebration!

My baby Kelty's
baby is due
to make her appearance
in January.




Family and friends gathered to honor the mother-to-be, to shower her with sweet little baby things and fortify her with sage advice.

There was 'LIGHT SUPPER' which wasn't all that light.

Then, Jill
(my extraodinary daughter-in-law)
asked Kelty
to remove
the petals of a yellow rose,
sharing
thoughts or feelings
about becoming a mom,
one for each petal.

Followed by the ceremonious
opening of the gifts.

Let me just say, this wee little buttercup will have some stunning (and cozy) outfits during her first year of life! The presents were thoughtfully chosen and accompanied by sound advice from moms who've proceeded her on this journey.

Dana, my goddaughter #3, is also expecting in January and the two mamacitas look so darling together with their swelling bellies.

THANK YOU Jill and Leah, for putting together this marvelous event. You'll see no shots of my Leah girl, since she is tethered to her three little babes in Ohio. None-the-less, she managed to orchestrate various elements of the shower from the Midwest. She even made and mailed 30 parties favors and they were A HIT.

Sheesh.

I can't believe my BABY is With Child.

I look at her and my heart sings . . .

"Is this the little girl I carried?"

Thanksgiving 2009

The Thanksgiving holiday translated into a full week of wonderful chaos around my place.

(And, BTW, that's legitimate excuse for skipping the blog about my amazing drive home from Nevada.)

Amidst it all,
there were moments for snoozing.
Duane on the couch.
Pregnant Kelty on the floor
and Chica, the dog cozying into the scene.

And early morning wake-ups.
Grandson Kenneth on my bed.

Delightful, fully-awake play times.
Grandma Ginger's "Wiggle Cars"

And communal work times.
Arian and Duane peeling potatoes for a crowd.

Time for good conversation
with intermittent turkey basting.
Sister-in-law Cathy, her eldest girls Robyn & Eliza,
my goddaughter Victoria.


Finally, the BIG feast . . .

(Sorry, folks. I didn't catch everyone in this shot.)

and some little feasting too!
My darling granddaughter Audrey.


Fortunately,
there was a willing clean-up crew.
Kelty, Jill, niece Grace, Duane, goddaughter Dana and others.

When the dishes were done,
the extended family gathered for carol singing.
Every one of our clan loves to sing
and I have to say, we sounded awesome.

And, of course,
there were stolen moments for
hiking up the canyon.
Here's my dear daughter-in-law Jill
during one of those strolls.

Good times.