Play Date

Another Wednesday, another day with Logan, another day of cousins.
First things first, Logan wanted a ponytail. So while Grandma exercised her skills with hair.


Obviously, Logan doesn't mind this. She gave "But-bah" her cheesiest smile.


"Let's see what's in this tool box.


"Hmm, what could I measure with this?"

Then Julieanna, Cora, and Hazel arrived. Which resulted in television for developing minds. At least that is our hope.


Of course after I snap a picture, Logan feels compelled to charm the camera. Cora has stronger concentration than that.


"Let's have a hug. Is this right?" Immediately after this they both fell over. This hugging thing isn't easy. Hope they figure it out before they start dating. That will make them seem to forward.


Amazing how just a bit more sleep improves the happiness of the mother and the baby. Just look at those smiles!


Here we are at just over seven weeks and look how this little girl has grown. She has filled out and seems longer and definitely stronger.


A smile for the camera. Isn't she sweet.


And another picture just because you can't have too many.


Here is some action. A post just doesn't seem the same without a video.

And on the Sabbath ...

Julieanna and Geoff went to the show to see "Avatar". With a two year old and a new born that means Grandma and Grandpa had babysitting duty. More a privilege than a duty.


Cora literally said, "Cheese." As soon as she saw the camera.


That PEZ is pretty good candy if your experience is with candies is limited. They are a bit difficult to extract from the newer dispensers. The originals used to push the candy out further.



"Grandma, the frog is empty."

"I can see me in the camera, Grandpa. Right there."

Grandma gets a long turn nibbling that soft, fuzzy head.

Cora was glad when Grandpa refilled the frog.

Grandpa finally has a turn with that little bundle of sweetness.

So Grandma and Cora can build something.

Here's a little construction action.

Another Fun Wednesday

It has really been a beautiful winter. Sustained cold. Nearly constant snow cover. Few snow events. The world, like a bride, is bright and fresh, full of hope and promise draped in white.


The view from my front window is serene and bright even on an overcast day. It has to be very gloomy to overcome the white and blue.


Then "Miss Hollywood" arrives! I love that smile and her bubble-butt puffy coat with matching mittens, coordinated hat and shoes. And those "Foster Grants".


She is the first two year old I recall who will leave her hat and SUNGLASSES on. In fact, she likes them.


When you take the lid off it becomes likely the snacks will spill. But she is very good about picking up.

First Wednesday of The New Year

If Logan is here it must be Wednesday.

Wednesdays are great; but, some Wednesdays are even better. Sometimes Julieanna brings Cora out to play with Logan. And now, she brings Hazel for Grandma and Grandpa to play with too.


Hazel doesn't play the same nor as long. Imagine, Hazel is one month old already.


When Grandpa got Hazel the girls swarmed. I felt like I was being overrun by kittens. They are enamored of the baby and curious. When Grandma got up to get the camera the two had to check and pose.




Everything is okay so, back to the baby. They wanted to talk to Grandpa and touch the baby. As Cora says, "She's so cute." I only had to give them their due and they were wonderful about me holding Hazel.

She still seems so tiny. And Cora is right.

Hazel is light and balanced. Just a perfect fit for my hands. Dark, dark blue eyes and a blank stare.

Of course a lot of the time (during the day) her eyes are closed and she rests in peaceful repose.


She didn't wake when I laid her in our antique bassinet. Time to play with the big girls.

After all these years, koosh balls are still popular with the little ones. The texture and motion fascinates them.

In my absence the two year-olds commandeer my chair. This is the look of only very slightly feeling ...

NOT guilty as much as caught red-handed.


But Logan wasn't alone in this operation. Although not in the chair, Cora was right there in support of the coup.


The change in facial expression and body language is pretty amazing. To me at least.


All the while, Hazel continues to sleep like an innocent lamb.

Christmas Day MMIX

I know, I know. I must apologize for not posting this WEEKS ago. But I am getting it done now.

I don't know where time goes. I believe my computer opens a black hole that warps the time-space continuum that sucks hours and days out of my life. Well apparently it can be weeks.

That's it! I actually posted this the day after Christmas. I'm sure it won't reach you for weeks.


Are these antlers "those antlers"? I don't know; but they could be. Ashley tells the story sooo well.


The gifts are ready. The kids are ready. What are we waiting so patiently for? Just permission to start from Grandma, Empress of the Universe.


Cora getting a little nourishment.

Although it is Hazel's first Christmas, I'm sure she will no more remember it that she is excited about it. Just think, she will only be one year old at her SECOND Christmas.

Alex has begun distribution of the presents. As you can see, the excitement hasn't begun yet. In their defense, one must realize they are parents of a two year old and a new born and sleep is a distant memory.

One of the mysteries of life is how new parents can be deprived of sleep by a tiny, immobile creature that sleeps over twenty hours a day, eats and poops.


The tension builds! We're almost ready to open presents.


Julieanna taking pictures.

Cora is not quite sure it started or what to do. She goes around the room helping others.

Alex is a pro. He does know what to do.

Drew, Benita and Tricia enjoy watching their kids open Christmas.

Logan knows. I'm sure Sarah is telling her not to touch her nose. apparently the lesson sank in.

The cute story is that one day Sarah picked Logan up at daycare, one of the teachers told Sarah that one of the other teachers was doing something that may have looked like she was "picking her nose" but that she wasn't "picking her nose". Logan had admonished her, "Don't touch your nose, Mommy gonna get you!"

The Turners are in the swing of it now. Cora has to assistants to help her open and repack presents.

Logan and Cora are perfect cousins. They are so cute together. They play well and are affectionate.

They have obviously agreed to something, as evidenced by the handshake.

Cora examines the tree a little closer. Both girls were very good about the tree.

Grandma is apparently tired. She still manages to hold Hazel and give some special lovin' to the latest addition.

I really like this video. Cora has her new dancer on the yet unopened present. In the background, Logan is tearing off pieces of wrapping paper and throwing each piece in the trash before tearing off another.

Christmas Eve 2009

I can't believe I forgot to post my Christmas pictures! Must be getting really old. We had a dinner at Benita's and Drew's and Tricia's on Christmas Eve. Logan warmed up to Benita and was entertaining. Kyle's family was first to arrive. Twenty minutes later Sally and I arrived. Julieanna, Geoff, Cora and Hazel showed up about fifteen minutes after us.


Logan has a conversation with Benita.



Sally has a "diet" and mugs in a conversation. I don't recall the conversation; but, I looks like Sally doesn't know the answer to some question.



Logan looks a little sleepy-eyed or battling her perpetual "cold". She is very good at keeping her happy attitude through it all.

Cora shows up in her party dress. it was very cute. And she made "Santa" very happy by stopping by me as soon as she came in the door.

Ashley holds Cora and Alex is snacking back there. They are all but grown up.

Alex sporting a new do! He has gotten very close to teenager status and discovered hair gel. There is no wind on Earth that could move his hair. BUT, he is a super nice young man and he is bright, clean, friendly and politely. I'm certain Santa will bring him good things.

Cora and I went up stairs to Drew's apartment to see Ashley. She was making Hors D'Oeuvres. She is now a large version of Tricia. Santa surely brought her good things too.


Drew takes his turn holding Hazel while Grandma gets the "old one". (Cora)
Actually, Cora is the gently used, broken in, trained one. Or even more likely she has us trained.


Uncle Drew and Alex talk with Cora, then she realized the camera was on her.

Then Kyle's left before dinner and I quit taking pictures then. See you all tomorrow.