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.

Every Day is Mother's Day

I know it is a little late, (2 weeks) but in my opinion every day should be Mother's Day. I know so many beautiful, talented, and loving Mothers, and I have so many great friends and family members that I watch in awe with their children. Being a good mother is definitely the hardest job in the world. It is both thankless and infinitely rewarding at the same time. It is not something that you can learn in school; it is something that must come from a place deep within you that is selfless, giving, and darn near martyring (is that a word). For all of those women I know, you are outstanding and all of your children are blessed. That being said, I do want to take a moment and pay tribute to MY mother(s).

My Mom-First I have to say I have a wonderful mother. She has always been there beside me even when I couldn't (or wouldn't) see her. Our relationship hasn't always been easy, and I grew up holding her responsible for a lot of things that I shouldn't have. What I have learned over my life as a mother is that my mom did the very best job she could under the circumstances she was given. Hindsight is 20/20 and I would change so many things that I have done as a mother, but those mistakes have brought me a much better understanding as to where my mom was coming from, and how much she actually sacrificed for me, my brother, and my sister. She is such a giving person and I truly would not have survived without her. No matter how much I've screwed up she is always my biggest advocate. We love you mom.

My Step Mom-Wow that word has some awful connotations doesn't it? Actually I hate that word so much I call her my Dad's wife or Geneva because I love her too much to call her my "STEPMOTHER". Geneva has been with my dad since I was 13. I have had another step-mother before, but she really did fit the evil category. Geneva came along during a very tumultuous time in my life and in mine and my Dad's relationship so she didn't get a very warm welcome. We haven't always seen eye to eye but the older I get the more I notice the similarities between the two of us. Geneva has been very good for my Dad, and he would not be where he is today without her. She has also been a fantastic Grandmother to my 3 kids and a loving Great Grandmother to my Grandson. None of my kids ever knew what a Step Mom was because to them Geneva was just "Maw Maw Neevie". We love you Geneva.



My Mother-in-Law-I don't see my Mother-in-Law very often but she is a real sweetheart. I don't think Eloisa has ever said a bad word to or about anyone. She is the epitome of perfect love and honestly believes that her son is perfect. Not in a bad "blinders on" kind of way, but in an unconditional love kind of way. She loves Al, Walter, and our families very much. I hate that the kids are so far away from her, and that they never get to see her. We love you Eloisa.



My Other Moms-I have a two very special women in my life that I consider my other moms. They are women who have loved me and cared for me unconditionally.

My Aunt Carol is my Dad's sister and I lived with her off and on for several years in Junior High and High School. One of the most devastating losses I ever had was when her husband Uncle Buddy died from Lung Cancer. I really looked to these two as a second set of parents. Now Aunt Carol has severe COPD and is in very poor health. It breaks my heart to see her suffer. We love you Aunt Carol.



My Aunt Lucy is my Mom's sister and we have just recently become much closer. She has always been one of my favorite Aunts but since we've moved to Omaha and are physically closer (2 hours) we see her and her husband Bob much more frequently. She really has become my substitute Mom since my Mom is so far away. She has also played the role of surrogate Grandma to my kids (especially the boys). She and Bob do all the fun Grandparent things that they have missed out on with their real Grandparents. She comes to their plays and concerts and is the proudest Aunt/Grandma in the room. You know the old saying "It's too bad you can't have Grand Kids without having kids." Well, Lucy found a way. Of course she did, she is Lucy after all. We love you Lucy.



New Mom-I guess I saved the best one for last. New mom Alyssa. Alyssa has not had the easiest year. She had so many obstacles to overcome with being a young unmarried mother and having a baby with feeding difficulties, congenital defects, and chronic respiratory and ear infections. Alyssa has really had to grow up fast but she has done a fabulous job with Logan. I wish I had posted this earlier because Alyssa did not have a very good Mother's Day. I think she felt like no one noticed her, but I noticed. I noticed how well she takes care of Logan, how much she loves him, and how much he loves her. He is a very lucky little boy. She dotes on him and never lets him forget how much she cares about him. She is a fantastic mommy. I LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH ALYSSA!

The first time she met her baby boy.

Consoling Logan after his first casting.
She cried more than he did.

Holding Logan as he wakes up from surgery.

A tiny little thing.

He was with us on Valentine's Day but she didn't forget him.

She's always teaching him new things.