Two Weeks Ago:

At this very moment, Tish was driving herself home from Mesquite, little realizing that she was in labor.
She was hurting so bad and wanted to hurry up and get home to Mom.
When she arrived, we timed her contractions for a half an hour and I decided we needed to go to the hospital and get her checked out.
Upon our arrival, she was sent to the labor and delivery floor and eight hours later gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.
Needless to say, he has taken over just about every aspect of life in this house. Funny thing is, no one really seems to mind.
Grandpa and I can barely take our eyes off of him. Every little squeak and grunt is a new wonder.
He responds to our voices, when we talk to him and he smiled for his grandpa tonight.
Tish is a wonderful and doting Mother. She is tuned in to what every little noise means.
She takes excellent care of her son. Occasionally she will allow me to feed him or change his diaper if she is eating or taking a shower, but usually, I just get to be Grandma. I get to hold him and play with him any time I want. She and Christian wait up for me at night and when I get home from work at around 10:30 p.m. I get to snuggle him for a little while before I crash for the night.
Christian has definately brought something special into our home.
God is so good.
I love all of my grandchildren. I wish I didn't have to work this hard shift.
I would really like to see more of Jacob and Lucy. I remember when they were little like Christian and all I wanted to do was hold them and gaze in wonder at how perfect they were.
Of course they are still perfect and even more fun, now.
Jacob is so smart and intuitive and Lucy is so loving and sensitive.
Every child that is born is a blessing and every grandchild, a miracle.
I am so blessed to be able to share in the lives of so many miracles.

Update on Christian!

Here's a couple of new pics of our handsome little man.

He is doing well.

We took him to the pediatrician yesterday, he has a slight heart murmur and the doctor wanted to follow up.

The doctor said it is very slight and pronounced Christian healthy. He is eating, sleeping and doing all the other things a 4 day old baby should be doing at 4 days old.

I love watching Tish care for him. She is a wonderful Mommy. I never had any doubts that she would be.

She is feeling okay, although, I think the adrenaline rush is starting to wear off. She is beginning to feel some discomfort. Her milk has come in, she is bottle feeding, so there isn't really a way for her to ease the fullness right now. The doctor gave her some pain medication and it helps.

Besides that, she is still having some back pain. But, I think that is related more to our outing yesterday, than to anything else.

She insisted on carrying Christian in his carseat rather than let me carry it for her and I think she overdid it a little.

His next appointment is scheduled for Tuesday morning.

Jerry will be starting a new job next month. He is returning to his number one love. Law Enforcement. I am glad for him. I believe that he is most happy doing that.

I am also starting a new position. I am going to go back to the floor. I will still be working Mon-Fri.

Still have week-ends off. And I will be home in the mornings to help Tish. Geri Alice has been working at her new job for several days now and seems to be enjoying it. It is perfect for her. She is not a morning person and she now works 1p.m. -9p.m. Good hours for her.

Krysta, Cotton and the kids came over to see the new baby. Jacob and Lucy held him. The were so cute. You could see the wonder and awe in their faces. I know they are going to be so sweet when their little brother arrives in a few weeks. Christian and Samuel are going to be so close in age. I have a feeling when those cousins get together there will always be a show going on.

Life is beautiful right now. Everyone is healthy, happy and mostly content.

We are blesssed with an abundance of children, grandchildren, good jobs, comfortable homes, and the love of our Lord. We have our faith and our health. We have a loving and beautiful family. What eelse could we possibly need in this world.

Thank you, Lord for all the MANY BLESSINGS in my life. I give to you all the praise and glory.

I am a happy woman!

Introducing, Christian Andrew!!!!!

Proud Parents, Tish and Chase.

Christian, just minutes old.

Born:
January 14, 2007
6:36 a.m.
Weight:
7 pounds, 1.8 ounces
At 19.5 inches long, he is definately a keeper.
I am exhausted. Tish is ecstatic, Chase is overwhelmed and Grandpa is thrilled.
One big happy family.
Mommy, Tish and baby, Christian are doing wonderfully.

Time for a well deserved nap!!!

It's Been a Week!

And I thought I better write a little something for those who are actually interested in my life.
Tish is getting closer and closer to bringing her new little guy into this world. She gave her notice today. This will be her last week at work until after her maternity leave. She is feeling the effects of the last few weeks of pregnancy. Lots of back pain and really tired.
Krysta is doing well so far. She is having the same Anemia issues that Tish has been having. Along with being tired. I am sure it has nothing to do with the fact that she is pregnant, has a household to run and two small, extremely energetic children to care for.
Jerry and I are still doing well, he has now lost 36 pounds, as of his weigh-in today. I am so proud of him. Losing weight and completely changing your eating habits is not really easy to do. He has stuck with the program and added his favorite exercise regime to it. Fishing, of course. But the real exercise is the paddling of the kayak to get to the fishing hole. He has also started "walking" Saul. Or maybe Saul is walking him!
I am looking forward to spending a week of quality time with Tish and Christian when he arrives. I have let my bosses at work know, so when the actual time comes, I will be able to take some time off and stay home with her for the first few days. I also plan to take off a couple of days when Samuel arrives and help Krysta out with Jacob and Lucy so she can rest a little.
That is, if she wants me!
I spoke with Mom this evening and Beth is having some issues with her eye surgery. The drain they put in is not working like it is supposed to. We could certainly use prayer. Beth only has the one eye that she can see anything with and if she loses it she will be completely blind. Prayer is really the only thing that can help her right now. She goes back to the doctor in a few days for a laser procedure that will hopefully clear the drain so it will work like it is supposed to.
She is hoping to recover enough to be able to return to school this semester.
She is studying to be a "special needs" teacher. She definately has the brains and the heart to do it.
Mom is doing well, as is Eddy.
Grandma is still back and forth with her health. She needs our prayers, too.
I haven't spoken to Aaron since he went back to Washington. I tried to call him this evening. I know he will call me when he sees the missed call. I really miss him. I know he is doing well. He has really put on some weight since he joined the Army. Not fat! Not at all. But he looks better and healthier now than he did when he was playing football.
The nurses and CNAs that I work with are all in love with him.
He has to walk the whole building, hugging women, when he comes back! LOL!
Geri is looking for a job and has an interview tomorrow. Pray about that, too, please. She is settled back into her room. She and Brian got her TV and DVD player all hooked up and she has her computer. So she is connected to the world. I hope she is happy. It is hard to leave some things behind you. It can be a real trial. She is handling it in typical Geri style. She is still smiling. Sometimes she really amazes me. Some people claim to have faith. Geri doesn't claim to have it, she lives it!
Now, as to the hairier half of the family, Mocha is getting to be a real little toot. She has discovered how to climb. And she climbs! She has learned how to get on top of the table, and knows not to do it when she is being watched! Typical Chihuahua!
I'm sure Krysta, Geri, Aaron and Tish remember the incident with Hershey and the Strawberry Cake. Not to mention the pound of Bologna! Hershey figured out the best ways to steal food when no one was watching! Mocha is developing the same talent. Oh, and she likes coffee, too!!!
Junior is growing. He is already bigger the his Daddy was. He is now four months old. He has so many of Snickers traits, it is almost spooky. He loves to play with squeaky toys and will play fetch for hours. He is so smart. He uses his front feet like hands to hold things. He will pull your hand to his chest with his front feet for a scratch. His is even funnier looking than Snickers, as if that were possible. His ears don't lay down or stand up. They just, kind of, stick straight out to the sides. His hair isn't sure if it is going to be long or short or straight or wiry. We will definately have to wait and see, I don't have any clue what he is going to end up looking like.
Spike has returned with Geri and has reclaimed his territory. He is not the least bit afraid of the dogs. Although they torment him constantly.
Sami just takes it all in stride. He is too old to really care. He watches for a little while and then nods off. He is getting fat in his old age. He is happy and content with his life and that is what counts.
Alex is still the "King Of The House" as far as he is concerned and is very vocal about it. Especially at dinner time. I have spoiled him terribly and he now expects to be served his dinner along with the rest of the family! I have created a little green monster. No, he was already a little green monster. I have created a SPOILED little green monster. Right Alex!
The baby finches now have orange beaks. They are well on their way to being independent. Mama and Papa do not have to feed them any more although they all still sleep together. Kind like Mama and Papa Cates. LOL!!!!!!!!
On that note, I better stop before I really do get in trouble.
By the way, the new BABY MAGIC smells the same as the original!

Blue!

It's getting late! I'm sitting here at my computer feeling a little blue. Aaron is packing his suitcase. He is leaving very early in the morning. He has to be at DFW airport at 5:00 a.m.
Jerry is taking him. They will leave here around 3:30 a.m. in order to get there for his flight.
It has been so good to have him home. I miss him terribly all the time.
I hate seeing him go.
Jerry and I cooked dinner for the whole family tonight so everyone would be able to see Aaron before he leaves. Krysta, Cotton and the grandbabies came over. Geri and Tish were here. So we had all of us together.
I know he doesn't want to leave yet.
I hope that he has had as much fun here as we have had having him.
I am so proud of you, son.
With all you have been through and all you have now accomplished, you have truly grown into a fine young man!
I am no longer worried about you becoming "fish vomit".
I love you and I am going to miss you.
Come back as soon as you can. You have two little nephews to meet when you come home again.
I know they will love their Uncle Bonk.
Stay safe!