February2, 1985, Grandma Beth and I were blessed with our first child, Jessica (your mommy). One of my fondest memories I have from a dad's perspective of a newborn is special. The rocking chair that I use to sit in and rock Jessica to sleep while trying to sing or hum a traditional lullaby or anything soothing. We had one of those wicker rockers. It was fairly comfortable and really did the trick when mommy got fussy or needed help falling asleep.
Today grandma and I went to pick up the rocker that would give mom and dad some of those same precious memories that I still carry in the back of my mind. We found a very comfortable ottoman rocker at Walmart. It has a footstool and is padded for long hours. It looks very comfy so we are hoping mom and dad don't fall into a deep deep sleep while rocking you.. :)
We are planning on a road trip in the next week or so to see your room again and the many things that we hear are being given to you by Dad's family. We are excited that things are falling into place for you to have an exciting home when you arrive. Dad can put it together. It is still in the box. He needs to get use to putting things together. That's part of being a dad and having tools etc etc etc. I'm sure he doesn't mind.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Grandmother is a SHOP-O-Holic!!!!
So Taylor,
We were on our way home from a "quick" trip to the grocery store, right?? NO SUCH THING as a quick trip anymore.. We were coming down the bypass in marion with 2 gallons of cold milk and a few frozen goods in the car just heading home. Grandma Beth says she was wanting to stop at this new resell shop in Marion called Boutique 125. As I glance over toward the shop as we get nearer, the sidewalks are FULL, I mean FULL of baby clothes....... Everything on sale for $1........ Grandma tells me to stop and she promises she won't go inside the store, she will just shop for the grandbaby.
We pull in and of course I park right up front like grandpas do. Within 5 minutes I was holding clothes in my arms that were getting to heavy for Grandma.... Needless to say we found aver 20 items. As I was talking to the sales clerk grandma tells me she is going inside to look at the maternity clothes for mom. I told her to hurry up cuz we now had 2 gallons of cottage cheese in the car since temperatures were reaching 95 that day. She didn't last long inside cuz prices were pretty stiff on maternity. She decided if she went back there she would take mom with her.
Anyway we did make it home without spoiling any food :) Here are a few photos of the "find" today.
We were on our way home from a "quick" trip to the grocery store, right?? NO SUCH THING as a quick trip anymore.. We were coming down the bypass in marion with 2 gallons of cold milk and a few frozen goods in the car just heading home. Grandma Beth says she was wanting to stop at this new resell shop in Marion called Boutique 125. As I glance over toward the shop as we get nearer, the sidewalks are FULL, I mean FULL of baby clothes....... Everything on sale for $1........ Grandma tells me to stop and she promises she won't go inside the store, she will just shop for the grandbaby.
We pull in and of course I park right up front like grandpas do. Within 5 minutes I was holding clothes in my arms that were getting to heavy for Grandma.... Needless to say we found aver 20 items. As I was talking to the sales clerk grandma tells me she is going inside to look at the maternity clothes for mom. I told her to hurry up cuz we now had 2 gallons of cottage cheese in the car since temperatures were reaching 95 that day. She didn't last long inside cuz prices were pretty stiff on maternity. She decided if she went back there she would take mom with her.
Anyway we did make it home without spoiling any food :) Here are a few photos of the "find" today.
and here is a piece we got in honor of your aunt Natalie. When she was an infant she had a "baby Bunny" stuffed doll and still has it to this day.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Back to Work
Well, mommy's summer is finally over and school is back in session. In the picture below she is sporting a black dress that grandma Beth found for her to wear to school. It isn't a maternity dress though, so it's days are probably numbered. Wear it while you can I think it looks very nice. :)
Mom has started calling you Babyziggy. I can't figure out yet if the name they chose for you is a done deal or not. Taylor, is what I've been calling you when I speak to others about you. Maybe I am jumping the gun a bit, so I better wait until I know for sure to call you that. Babyziggy is cute for now. Mom has even named her blog Babyziggy11! I will need to find out the # 11 significance. That was a number I wore in recreational basketball leagues for high school and church basketballball between 20-30 years ago. Kinda a lucky number for me so it will do.
Mom called the other day to tell me she was hit by a golf ball watching dad play golf. She played for about 13 years and never been hit. The ball took a one hopper and hit her in the hip she said. No harm done but a close call for the belly where baby Ziggy was resting. Dad might of had to put a bodyslam wrestling move on the old man that hit the ball if it wold have struck you. :)
Mom has started calling you Babyziggy. I can't figure out yet if the name they chose for you is a done deal or not. Taylor, is what I've been calling you when I speak to others about you. Maybe I am jumping the gun a bit, so I better wait until I know for sure to call you that. Babyziggy is cute for now. Mom has even named her blog Babyziggy11! I will need to find out the # 11 significance. That was a number I wore in recreational basketball leagues for high school and church basketballball between 20-30 years ago. Kinda a lucky number for me so it will do.
Mom called the other day to tell me she was hit by a golf ball watching dad play golf. She played for about 13 years and never been hit. The ball took a one hopper and hit her in the hip she said. No harm done but a close call for the belly where baby Ziggy was resting. Dad might of had to put a bodyslam wrestling move on the old man that hit the ball if it wold have struck you. :)
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Excitement and Preparation
I remember the excitement Beth and I had when we were getting close to the arrival of Jessica. A lot of preparation went into getting things just right for the big day. We went as far as leaving the house we rented at 1414 W. 4th to buying a brand new 14X70 Mobile Home and getting a lot at 2012 W. 12th. I remember wallpapering Jessica's bedroom and getting things just right for her new home.
The same excitement is churning in Fulton. Jessica called the other evening and asked "guess what we just bought?" She told me they found a brand new dishwasher at Sears and couldn't pass up the deal. Taylor would need to have clean and sanitized bottles to drink out of. :) Matt installed it right away and Jessica showed the world on her blog.
Nana visited from Florida and brought her a gift also. The exact stroller Jessica and Matt have been wanting from Target but were unable to find in Indiana.
The baby shower date has been set and will be Sunday October 3rd. There is already a "scurry" to get plane tickets home and put this day on the calendar so everyone can be sure to enjoy this day with Jessica. This excitement is part of what it is all about. Everyone is enjoying the preparation of the arrival of Taylor.
The same excitement is churning in Fulton. Jessica called the other evening and asked "guess what we just bought?" She told me they found a brand new dishwasher at Sears and couldn't pass up the deal. Taylor would need to have clean and sanitized bottles to drink out of. :) Matt installed it right away and Jessica showed the world on her blog.
Nana visited from Florida and brought her a gift also. The exact stroller Jessica and Matt have been wanting from Target but were unable to find in Indiana.
The baby shower date has been set and will be Sunday October 3rd. There is already a "scurry" to get plane tickets home and put this day on the calendar so everyone can be sure to enjoy this day with Jessica. This excitement is part of what it is all about. Everyone is enjoying the preparation of the arrival of Taylor.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Seeing Jessica
After spending the 4th of July at Jessica's and Matt's, we decided to go to Shipshewana Flea Market the following Tuesday and take our exchange student Katharina since she had never been. Katharina lived with us for a full year when Jessica was at Manchester College. She was from Germany and was here on a student exchange program. We also met up there with my nephew Thomas and his family and my niece Christina. Jessica decided she wanted to shop also so she met us up there as well.
We were to meet at the restaurant on the corner of US 20 and St Rd 5. Thomas arrived first and Keirstynn texted us and told us they had arrived. We were only 5 miles out so we arrived second. Not much time went by and Jessica pulled up beside us. As she stepped out of the car we could see a major difference in her size. This was really gonna happen. As I hugged her, I reached down and put my hand on her tummy. She seemed frustrated with it and preceded to tell me that nobody should touch her stomache. There have been too many strangers already laying hands on her and she was uncomfortable with it. She later on told me that Me and Mom and Matt were the only ones allowed and she didn't mean it to sound like she was scolding me for touching her. I wasn't offended and can totally understand her frustrations.
The picture below is the picture of her and I in the parking lot where we met before the flea market. It is one of my favorite photos of her and I ever!! Her little pooch is just the beginning of a lifetime of joy with a grandaughter.
So far Matt and Jessica are leaning toward Taylor Elizabeth. I love that name, and have been calling the Baby Z "Taylor" since I found out.
We were to meet at the restaurant on the corner of US 20 and St Rd 5. Thomas arrived first and Keirstynn texted us and told us they had arrived. We were only 5 miles out so we arrived second. Not much time went by and Jessica pulled up beside us. As she stepped out of the car we could see a major difference in her size. This was really gonna happen. As I hugged her, I reached down and put my hand on her tummy. She seemed frustrated with it and preceded to tell me that nobody should touch her stomache. There have been too many strangers already laying hands on her and she was uncomfortable with it. She later on told me that Me and Mom and Matt were the only ones allowed and she didn't mean it to sound like she was scolding me for touching her. I wasn't offended and can totally understand her frustrations.
The picture below is the picture of her and I in the parking lot where we met before the flea market. It is one of my favorite photos of her and I ever!! Her little pooch is just the beginning of a lifetime of joy with a grandaughter.
So far Matt and Jessica are leaning toward Taylor Elizabeth. I love that name, and have been calling the Baby Z "Taylor" since I found out.
Shopping Begins
Even before we could tell anyone about our grandchild, Beth was excited to start rummaging and shopping for Baby Z. So many things would be needed so any chance or opportunity to pick something up would be great. I did say that we should probably wait until we knew the sex of the baby until we actually bought anything major.
I had been off work for a month with a small surgery and was noticing it was my last Friday off before returning to work. I called Jessica and asked her if we could just come up and take her to lunch since I was free. She said okay and we hit the road. On the way we saw that the town of Twelve Mile was having a town rummage. We decided to stop there on the way back through. Matt was off work so we all 4 hit the cafe in the big town of Fulton. I always love to get BLT sandwiches at these small mom and pop restaurants so that was my lunch for the day. Mom and Jessica had their tenderloins. Matt still isn't sure what a tenderloin is and still doesn't care for them, I think he had a fish sandwich.
We then stopped by the house and Jessica was excited to show us that they had been working on Baby Z's room. It was clean and had a few things already in it. For one, a dresser that Beth had when she was a kid and Jessica used growing up. That was kinda cool. across the hall Jessica said she had grandma's room ready for her to stay the night when needed.
On the way home we found a rummage with TONS of baby stuff. A gold mine for "onesies". Beth found 21 of them in new condition. I think they were 3 for a dollar or something amazingly cheap. Of course we bought them.
After June 29th, the sex of the baby revealing day, Beth was free to buy girls stuff. Gas City was having a town rummage so that was the victim of the first really big buy. I can't list all of the stuff bought but she had a good day. A friend , Carla, and Bryce went with Beth and enjoyed the hunt for clothes just as much. I have to put a picture below of this day of shopping. Many more to come I am sure. Our Grandchild is definately going to be well dressed.
I had been off work for a month with a small surgery and was noticing it was my last Friday off before returning to work. I called Jessica and asked her if we could just come up and take her to lunch since I was free. She said okay and we hit the road. On the way we saw that the town of Twelve Mile was having a town rummage. We decided to stop there on the way back through. Matt was off work so we all 4 hit the cafe in the big town of Fulton. I always love to get BLT sandwiches at these small mom and pop restaurants so that was my lunch for the day. Mom and Jessica had their tenderloins. Matt still isn't sure what a tenderloin is and still doesn't care for them, I think he had a fish sandwich.
We then stopped by the house and Jessica was excited to show us that they had been working on Baby Z's room. It was clean and had a few things already in it. For one, a dresser that Beth had when she was a kid and Jessica used growing up. That was kinda cool. across the hall Jessica said she had grandma's room ready for her to stay the night when needed.
On the way home we found a rummage with TONS of baby stuff. A gold mine for "onesies". Beth found 21 of them in new condition. I think they were 3 for a dollar or something amazingly cheap. Of course we bought them.
After June 29th, the sex of the baby revealing day, Beth was free to buy girls stuff. Gas City was having a town rummage so that was the victim of the first really big buy. I can't list all of the stuff bought but she had a good day. A friend , Carla, and Bryce went with Beth and enjoyed the hunt for clothes just as much. I have to put a picture below of this day of shopping. Many more to come I am sure. Our Grandchild is definately going to be well dressed.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Shhhhhh keep quiet for now
After hearing the great news that I was going to be a grandpa around Nov 21 of 2010 I was instructed bt the expecting parents to keep it quiet for a while and don't tell anyone. Jessica had just had a close friend find out she was expecting only to lose the baby before the first trimester. So to make sure things were good before we blabbed to the world the news, Jessica wanted to get by the first trimester before sharing with anyone (just in case). We understood her train of thought but how hard was it going to be to NOT say anything to anyone? We met every Monday with our Bible Study Group and so wanted these people praying for the situation but kept our promise until the given date, June 29th (the next Dr. visit and ultrasound).
Finally the day of the Dr. visit came. Jessica was to see the Dr. around 1:30 and let us know ASAP. Then when all things were good, we could tell everyone the news. I was excited in wait all day. She said I would get the call first since mom knew ahead of time about the the baby before Easter. About 2:30 or 3:00 in the afternoon, I was delivering mail curside in my truck when the text came. I was so excited to see "It's a girl" I didn't see that a picture was attached. I went back to work and about 1/2 hour later I thought I needed to look at the text again. It said 1 of 2 so I scanned down and there was a picture of the ultrasound and our baby Z.
I had a couple hours left of work but had decided I would post the picture on facebook as soon as I got home. I finished work, got home and went straight to my computer, excited to share the news!!! As I pull up my facebook I see Baby Z FIRST THING!!! Natalie has internet access at work and can download mobile pics so had shared the news with most people I know. Oh well, it was still exciting. The word was out. Now to share with everyone possible!!!!
The Big Reveal
A few days before Easter Sunday of 2010, my oldest daughter, Jessica, called and asked if her and her husband,Matt, of 2 years could come and spend the day with us. We always welcome the company of our kids on any holiday so, of course, it would be great to have them come. We've all made a committment to one another that we would always spend designated holidays as a family and the rest of them we would play by ear. This, we felt, would ease the pressure when other sides of family become an issue. Our house is traditionally a Christmas Eve get together and as a family we love to have the kids attend our church service and communion together. Jessica always hosts our 4th of July cookout and Natalie (our youngest) host Thanksgiving.
Easter morning came and we went to church at Mt. Olive. We've attended here for over 15 years and it is known as our kids church growing up also. Matt and Jessica came just as service was started. We enjoyed worshipping together and skipped out on Sunday School excited to have a meal together at our house. I figured we would play dominoes or another game and just enjoy each other's company for the day.
After a wonderful meal we gathered around the dining table where we would play games and chat. Jessica handed us each a large plastic Easter Egg and told us to open them all at once. One for me, Mom and Sis. As I opened mine, a pair of baby booties fell out. Winnie the Pooh baby booties. My response was HUH??? As I sat there confused and not really catching on, I heard Natalie say in excitedment. "I Knew It!!!" I look over a her and she is beaming from ear to ear with a bib that says : I love my Auntie.
Finally this 48 year old brain was comprehending. Jessica and Matt were expecting and this was going to make me a grandpa. Beth had an egg also and inside hers was a "grandma bid". Jessica explained to me they couldn't find anything that said grandpa so they settle with winnie the pooh. Beth seemed to be in the know already and she preceded to say she had known for 2 weeks before. Jessica asked her to keep it a secret until she could share the news.
All in all it was a great Easter!!!!!
Easter morning came and we went to church at Mt. Olive. We've attended here for over 15 years and it is known as our kids church growing up also. Matt and Jessica came just as service was started. We enjoyed worshipping together and skipped out on Sunday School excited to have a meal together at our house. I figured we would play dominoes or another game and just enjoy each other's company for the day.
After a wonderful meal we gathered around the dining table where we would play games and chat. Jessica handed us each a large plastic Easter Egg and told us to open them all at once. One for me, Mom and Sis. As I opened mine, a pair of baby booties fell out. Winnie the Pooh baby booties. My response was HUH??? As I sat there confused and not really catching on, I heard Natalie say in excitedment. "I Knew It!!!" I look over a her and she is beaming from ear to ear with a bib that says : I love my Auntie.
Finally this 48 year old brain was comprehending. Jessica and Matt were expecting and this was going to make me a grandpa. Beth had an egg also and inside hers was a "grandma bid". Jessica explained to me they couldn't find anything that said grandpa so they settle with winnie the pooh. Beth seemed to be in the know already and she preceded to say she had known for 2 weeks before. Jessica asked her to keep it a secret until she could share the news.
All in all it was a great Easter!!!!!
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