Kids and the Puppy

We had visitors last night, three more grandchildren and their sweet mama. Grandpa set some rules and let the dog out of her crate to play. "Lay down on the floor," he told them, "and put your face down on your arms." The dog went crazy, running circles around them, hopping across their backs, and stuffing her nose into their faces and under their necks. Giggles erupted from the boys which just made the dog run faster.

Jilly was a little overwhelmed and kept her distance, especially after the puppy jumped up and nearly knocked her over, but Jakie decided to become a puppy himself. He grabbed Nassa's stuffed dog with his teeth, like little boys will do, and had a good old fashioned game of Tug O'War with her while his  mother said, "Jake! Get that out of your mouth!" Yeah. Good luck with that. The game was just too fun to give up. Ha ha!

It was a nice evening. We ate ham, broccoli, and cheese soup, which the boys declared "delicious," munched on soft, crusty bread, and doled out lavish amounts of love and affection. When it was all said and done the little dog was more than ready for a nap.

Grandflower Day

I have been out and about every day for the past week. (Church, work, appointments/meetings, shopping, kids...) Years ago I could spend day upon day caring for and playing with small children, never leaving my home, or at least never going far. The debate for whether I prefer the new way or the old has not yet come in. Yesterday I was busy out and about (again), but it was good. I even met a friend for a late afternoon salad at Panera Bread.

It was a "grandflower" kind of afternoon. I took Number Nine over to visit Numbers Five and Eight. Such fun!

 They're all just a little too cute, dontcha think?

K is for Kiss

K is for kiss.

When the journey to bringing a new baby into this world is long and full of bumps, it makes finally being able to kiss him all the more wonderful. Infertility issues, terrible morning sickness, a big baby and difficult delivery, with a nasty infection to top it off, make holding this sweet bundle all the more precious.

About a year ago, an almost four year old boy began to pray for a baby. He had cousins and friends with new babies, and being a baby lover himself, he felt that his family too should have a new baby. His momma had already prayed and was running out of faith, but her little boy's earnest prayer gave her renewed hope. Instead of saying "if", Josh began to talk about "when", and God heard the prayer of a very small boy.

It was so hard to know two weeks ago that my daughter could not hold the ailing child for whom she had waited so very long, but as the antibiotics slowly began to do their job, this little guy gradually began to tolerate touch; first in the arms of his parents, then his grandparents, and finally the arms of friends and family. Now he just soaks up all the love and attention. He loves to be cuddled, but having his diaper changed? Not so much.

We have been
blessed beyond measure! We have been strength- ened and encour- aged by the prayers of friends and strangers here and across the world, and we are humbled to know that God cares so much about us. Jacob is finally home with his mom and dad and big brother, and I can hardly wait to get back over to the house and kiss his soft little head and cheeks all over again. I love him!

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On Becoming a Cuddler

Today I became a Cuddler in the NICU. Somebody's momma wasn't feeling up to par, so Grandma filled in and snuggled the baby for a bit. For an hour and a half I sat in the comfy chair with my grandson in my arms. It was quite possibly a once in a lifetime chance, in fact I don't think I've had the opportunity to hold a baby for that amount of time since my first son was born almost 31 years ago. Too many interruptions come along with second, third, fourth... babies, and now there are all my own babies to share my grandchildren with. It was wonderful to just sit and stare and love the little guy.

You might think the only thing in my life this past week was a new grandbaby, but we also had my son Jim and his fiance' Michele here for the weekend. It was another whirlwind trip for them. They even went down to Watkins Glen on Saturday and enjoyed a bit of the Finger Lakes. They came home with a grape pie! (To go along with the chocolate cheese cupcakes Michele brought from Minnesota. Oh, yum!) We love every moment we are able to spend with them and it feels like Michele has always been part of the family. They didn't get to hold the baby this time, but they did get to visit. Next time they will have another bouncing bundle to play with. How fun!

Moving Toward the Goal

Grandmas and Grandpas are finally able to hold the baby. Let me tell you, there is something really special about that.

On our way into the hospital yesterday afternoon, we ran into Adam's parents and brother coming out. I'm thinking they looked much more relaxed than they had the previous time we saw them. "He's a normal baby today." his grandpa said, and he was right. The little guy had far fewer tubes and wires, and what he did have were all gathered into one bunch sneaking up through the bottom of the blanket to his tummy. (No, I did not unwrap him to have a peek.)

We are blessed to see little Jake on his way to a full recovery. It will still be another long week in the hospital, and his mom and dad are already tired. Prayerfully, a meal schedule will fill up, friends will offer rides, and a gift card or two for coffee at Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks will miraculously appear. Josh is coming to play with Uncle Jim and Aunt Michele for a while before they fly back to Minnesota, and Hannah will spend the night tonight so she can be at the house with him tomorrow. Somehow it will all work out.

Hannah, bless her heart, took pictures for us at the hospital yesterday. Aunts and uncles have not yet been given the okay to hold the little guy, but she is in love all over again anyway. I can see it in her eyes. Maybe next time she goes to visit we will be able to take a picture of her holding him too.

We are blessed by every move of progress.

The Baby Story

For those who didn't get the whole story, I am repeating it here. It will give me a place to send friends and family who are asking what happened.

Bethany's baby was born five days late early Tuesday morning. He weighed a whopping 10 pounds 2 ounces, and was 22 1/4 inches long. They named him Jacob Alfred. Alfred was my father's name and Bethany wanted to name him after her grandpa's, so, after months of referring to her little one as "Fred", I guess the name will stick after all, at least some of the time. :)

Soon after his birth, the baby started having trouble breathing and developed fluid in his lungs. Our little guy has Group B Strep and it turned into Meningitis. He is in the N.I.C.U. at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester where he was transferred early Wednesday morning. It is the best place for him to be. Beth is at Strong too, but will be going home tomorrow (Friday). Thankfully, the staff at Highland Hospital caught the infection early as he was already in the Special Care Nursery due to his traumatic birth. His shoulders got stuck during the birth process. Since he was under some stress from that, the staff was keeping a closer eye on him. When he started having trouble breathing, they put him on antibiotics right away.

Little Jacob is looking good now and resting comfortably. He's had 2 blood transfusions and will be on IV antibiotics for a total of 14 days. Mom and Dad are now able to hold him, and that is healing too, for all of them. We are counting our blessings (literally) and thanking God for His hand in all of this.

 Beth and Adam will be making many trips to the hospital for the next couple of weeks. I'm not yet certain what kind of help they need, but it is likely that Hannah will spend a bit of time at the house helping out next week. I'm also thinking gift cards to area restaurants and coffee shops might be helpful. Beth will need transportation to the hospital while Adam is working, and there is a small boy to consider in all of this too. I know God will cover all of their needs in a wonderful way.

Thank you to everyone for all the prayers and words of encouragement!

A Baby Update

James and I were able to make another visit to the hospital this evening along with Hannah. I was pleased to see little Jacob sleeping peacefully, no longer making that sad singing sound that signals distress in breathing.
He has been diagnosed with meningitis from a Strep B infection and will be hospitalized for at least ten days, possibly much longer. It goes without saying that he is very sick, but we are surrounded with the prayers of friends, family, loved ones, and strangers, and God is working in our hearts and lives.

Baby Cakes

His name is Jacob Alfred. She wanted to name him after her grandpa, and so we still have "Fred".

The baby has been transferred to the bigger Rochester hospital along with his mommy who is feeling sore and weepy this morning. I don't know when Bethany will be released, but the baby will need to stay for seven to ten days. On a good note, she was able to hold him for a little while last night, during which time he was quiet and had his eyes open. This momma prayed her daughter would be able to hold her baby. I love when God answers prayer.

A Little Prayer

It has been a long an emotional kind of day. New babies always make me want to cry, but today was a different kind of emotional.

Our "little" guy is here, but he is not so little. He came into the world a whopping 10 pounds 2 ounces. Not quite the tiny baby his mommy was hoping for, but loved and cherished just the same. His birth was traumatic for everyone involved, but I'll leave the details to Bethany. Your prayers are coveted as our sweet grandson not only had a hard time making his way into the world, but is now battling an infection. (I really want to have a good long cry...) He is on IV antibiotics and will have an extended stay in the hospital. Not quite the delivery we had hoped for.

Pink or Blue?

We had a nice little party over at Bethany's house last night. There was a mystery to be solved and we were all there to find out the secret. Adam had the answer, and he shared it with Aunt Rachel who then baked a cake. Hannah and I decorated the cake, but didn't know the answer. (Do you know it is next to impossible to find neutral decorations for a baby cake? We had no time to waste and decided to make our own... with saltwater taffy I softened in the microwave.)

Bethany, the lover of parties, made little flags and blew up balloons for the occasion. She invited guests and bought ice cream. She colored plain white sugar pink and blue. She held a vote and each attendee picked a flag; pink for a girl baby and blue for a boy. Adam and Aunt Rachel's family abstained from voting, but Bethany gave them each a flag to wave. Her choice, of course. Bethany cut the cake as we waved our flags and cheered. Okay, so maybe we didn't really....

I hoped for pink... and prepared myself for blue....

In September we will welcome another little hockey player into the family, and Joshua will have a new baby brother. I do love little boys. Good thing.  :)