Happy Father's Day

Logan's First Parade

Logan is staying with us this weekend and he got a chance to go see his Uncle Nicholas in the Papillion Days Parade. We had to drop Nicholas off at 1:00 p.m. and then we went to find a spot near the end of the parade route. Luckily we found an open table outside of Dairy Queen. It was perfect, a nice location near the end so Nicholas didn't have to walk far to find us, an umbrella, and a DAIRY QUEEN. Yay!

We had about an hour to wait, but the weather was nice. It was warm, but it was also overcast with a slight breeze. It was perfect weather for waiting around with a baby.


Logan passed the time playing with both Grandpa and Grandma (mostly Grandpa) and was very good. He had eaten a big breakfast of oatmeal, apples, and blueberries, and Grandma had given him a bottle right before we left so he was pretty content.

Uncle Christian passed the time participating in his favorite activity...texting.

Finally, at about 2:00 p.m. the Papillion Monarch Marching Band stepped off the parade. We were very excited that the Monarch Band was first this year. They take turns each year (with Papillion South) leading or concluding the parade. Since the parade is about 2 hours long, we weren't committed to the whole thing.

Here is a great shot of the bell of Nicholas' Mellophone. Hint, its the third bell from the right.

Here is a great shot of the right half of his back. He's in the middle.


Here are a couple of great shots of Nicholas' back while he does the band dance.

The City Council was handing out freezer pops, and I thought Logan would like to chew on a sealed one since he's teething. Grandpa poked a tiny hole in it, and he got some yummy grape ice for his front tooth pain. Turns out he liked it.



Soon, Nicholas joined us, and I actually got a picture of his lovely face. You did great Monarch Band. We can't wait to see your show this fall.



We stayed until about 3:00 p.m. so Logan could see the fire trucks and the tiny Shriner cars and motorcycles. OK, we really stayed so Christian could see the tiny cars and motorcycles, but Logan liked them too. It was a great day, and Logan is now resting up for his next big first.

Happy Birthday Alyssa

Today is Alyssa's 21st Birthday. I just got over the fact that I'm a Grandmother, and now 21? It seems like yesterday she was born.

Anyone that has ever had children know the magic that a first-born holds. You go from being an individual to being a mother. You hold your tiny baby in your arms and wonder at the miracle. I held her and cried because I couldn't believe how incredibly lucky I was to have her in my life. She was so small, and so dependant on me that I didn't even want to think about her growing up. However, all babies grow, and today my baby has a baby of her own.

I won't say it has always been easy, but I wouldn't change having Alyssa as my daughter for anything in the world. The saddest day of my life was when she moved out of the house to go to Manhattan for College. I think if I had known then that she was leaving for good I might have tied her to the bannister and said "You're not leaving." I have learned to let go (somewhat) and now she is a beautiful wonderful young mother. Having her and Logan in my home makes me so happy, and I am enjoying spending time with Logan and reliving the times I had with his beautiful mom.

Logan gets so much from Alyssa. First he is a beautiful baby just like her. also, he is such a happy baby just like she was. I had people stop me in stores and tell me what a beautiful smile she had. You know what...she still has it. A beautiful smile with a twinkle in her eye. I miss that smile. Finally, Logan keeps me young. I know you're thinking "How does being a Grandma keep you young?" Well, it keeps me intouch with the newest trends and culture, and helps me feel like I'm not withering up and dying. Alyssa alwyas did that. Her enthusiasm for life, her fearlessness, and her love of all people, no matter how weird, kept me young. I know the boys will be moving out soon, but I'll still have Logan to keep his Grandma on her toes.

I love you Alyssa Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday Christian

You want to know what's nerve wracking? It's putting your baby that you still think of as an adorable 3 year old behind the wheel. I can't believe he's already 16. ARRRGH! Christian is so special to me. He's always been so charismatic and talented, and he makes me laugh every day. On top of all of that, Christian is one of the most intuitive people I know. He is smart and observant, and can spot someone's true intentions almost a mile away. That's not to say that he doesn't often wear teenage blinders, but Christian's always been an old soul in a young body.

I tend to be very protective of Christian, because he's tried to leave this world 3 times. Once, when he was a baby, he almost died of hypovolemic shock because his doctor would not properly diagnose him with Pyloric Stenosis. By the time he had surgery, it was almost too late. Next, when he was 3 months old, Christian had an anaphylactic reaction to sulfa and we got to the hospital just in time. At 11 years old he had another anaphylactic reaction in his sleep to an unknown trigger. If he had not shaken the bunk bed and wakened his brother, we might not have known he was suffocating, and he would have died. Along with his allergies, Christian also suffers from asthma so I'm constantly worrying that he will have an asthma exacerbation when I'm not with him. Needless to say I have a very hard time letting Christian go.

Now though I have to be brave. I have to let him go out on his own. It is very scary, and it's even scarier to think of him driving Nicholas around. I don't like to think of both boys riding around in the car together. Heck, I still have a hard time when Alyssa travels with Logan, or when she's home and takes both boys somewhere. I can't sleep until they're all three home. I guess being a mom never gets easier.

Pray for me to have strength and peace, and pray that Christian will have common sense and safe driving habits. Also pray that all of the dumba$& idiot drivers stay away from my babies. I love you Christian.