Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
I am having a great time at the sleepover at Grandma's but..............
I really miss you Daddy!
I love you!
Say hi to Harry and Stella and the cats for me.
Monday, November 26, 2007
GREAT GRANDMA LOIS GETS A SURPRISE VISIT FROM SAM!
Wow! Great Grandma Lois got the best surprise last night when she walked into her hotel room and found Jen, Mike and Sam waiting for her!!! She had not seen Sam since he was only two weeks old. I wish I had been there to see my mom's face when she realized who was in her room. Thank you to Mike for driving in the rush hour trafffic to get his family there in time for this wonderful surprise!!!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
NOVEMBER 22, 2007
Dear Sam,Happy Thanksgiving!
I know that you are going to your Great Grandparent's home to celebrate Thanksgiving today. Your Daddy's family is so excited and looking forward to seeing you again. I know you will get lots of great cuddles from Grandma Julie. Don't eat too much turkey and pumpkin pie!
Love Grandma in Canada.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Countdown to The New Hip
Author disclaimer: Once again, this post is all about me. If you object, please note the main blog title implies the same. The "Grandma" would be yours truly, so if you come here only to learn news of Sam, you best stop reading now.
Today marks the two week prior to surgery date and I shall admit that my level of fear and concern is rising daily. For a variety of reasons. Some warranted, some perhaps not. The lesser of the group would include my worry about Bob. (I bring him up first so I may post this delicious picture of him. For those of you who can appreciate a fine looking canine speciman, you may use him as your desktop background with a mere right click of your mouse!) My present fear comes from the good, but ill-advised intentions of my dear friend Dorothy. She has plans for Bob during my recuperative period and this is not sitting well with me. Dorothy claims she is going to make a "man" out of Bob because she feels that he is
far too clean and cerebral. What she doesn't understand is that Bob is not a dog who likes to tear up and down the side of a North Shore mountain, nor does he care to have his underbelly dirtied with clinging fall foliage and other assorted nasty debris. I've had to hire a security company to stand guard during my convalescence as the thought of Bob leaving the warmth of the end of my bed causes me huge anxiety. Bob is a New York kind of dog, Dorothy. He goes outside for two reasons: to model his latest fashions and to obviously, do his personal business. He is, after all, just a dog. This brings me to my next concern. I was in New York City recently and I purchased a terrific pair of shoes for the upcoming festive season. On reflection, they were perhaps not the safest choice but my vanity will most likely prevail and if you see me on Christmas morning I will have them on.
My girlfriend from the island is an R.N. She has offered to come to my home under the promised premise of nursing me back to health. Her arrival in Vancouver will coincide with my beloved mother's departure after a blissful week of her tender loving care. What's my concern? Well...have you heard recently in the news about the apparent treatment of the "elderly and infirmed" by mean spirited nursing staff? I am so afraid that she may push me roughly, pull me abruptly off the toilet and leave me in a cold tub for five hours. She also keeps asking me where I keep my jewelry........
Finally it always comes back to Sam. I am obsessing (yes, I said obsessing!!!) about how I will cope when I see Sam's parents doing things completely backwards, inappropriate and utterly unacceptable. I will need to step in immediately to rectify the situation. How will I accomplish this when they have me *hogtied to a chair?
*Hogtie: The hogtie is a method of tying the limbs together, rendering the subject immobile and helpless. Originally, it was applied to pigs (hence the name) and other young four-legged animals. In more recent years, it has been applied to ways of restraining humans as well. Such restraints are employed in sexual bondage and by police forces.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
A Grandparent's Advice to a New Parent
* Today I came across this article on the internet and after reading it I thought it was worthy of sharing.
"Everyone should be a grandparent before they're a parent." I don't know who first penned this genetically impossible advice, but they're right. We grandparents have much better hindsight than foresight, and, if we could do it over again, most of us would make some adjustments. So just in case there are young parents reading this, who are wiser and more teachable than I was at their age, here is one grandparents' advice to parents:
Find a way every day to show your children that you love and believe in them. Do a lot of hugging and don't stop when they become teenagers.
Take time to know each of your children as individuals. What are their dreams and fears? What are they good at? What can you do to help them develop their own unique interests and abilities?
Set and enforce boundaries. Be willing to be the bad guy. Don't let your own guilt keep you from being tough when you must be.
Be candid about your own mistakes. Be willing to change your mind, admit wrong, and openly apologize.
Be patient. Remember that the path to success is paved with failures, and don't forget that one of the reasons kids have trouble being perfect is that they have imperfect parents.
Be accepting. Remind your children often that home is a place they can find forgiveness and new beginnings.
Remember that some opportunities come only once. Few of us grandparents feel regret because we once missed an important business meeting to spend time with a child.
Don't judge other parents or children. It will come back on you. Never say "never" (as in "My child would never do that").
Don't over-program. Leave your child room to be creative.
Begin at an early age to give children responsibility and don't be afraid to let them fail. Also don't cover for them when they do. Part of growing up is learning how to mend one's own mistakes.
Laugh a lot.
Be silly together.
Sing a lot.
Let your children know they live in a harsh world. Talk candidly of accidents and crime. Maybe let them role play how they would respond to each. Also things such as camping in the wilderness can help children develop resourcefulness and toughness.
Be concerned about the hearts and minds of children. Work on their "want-tos." If they develop a love for things that are good for them, you won't worry as much when they leave your home.
Help your children find mentors such as scout or school leaders, coaches, youth directors, summer camp counselors, and family friends (remember the times; you must do some investigating and screening on your own). Also develop your own mentors (can be your parents and grandparents) to help advise you about parenting.
Do things to keep yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. If you allow your children to keep you from daily exercise, alone time, or regular times away from the children with a spouse and/or friends; you will find it hard to be a good parent.
Finally, give yourself permission to really enjoy your kids. What could you do right now that would give pleasure to both you and your child? Some day you will long for such an opportunity.
By Mike Bellah.
"Everyone should be a grandparent before they're a parent." I don't know who first penned this genetically impossible advice, but they're right. We grandparents have much better hindsight than foresight, and, if we could do it over again, most of us would make some adjustments. So just in case there are young parents reading this, who are wiser and more teachable than I was at their age, here is one grandparents' advice to parents:
Find a way every day to show your children that you love and believe in them. Do a lot of hugging and don't stop when they become teenagers.
Take time to know each of your children as individuals. What are their dreams and fears? What are they good at? What can you do to help them develop their own unique interests and abilities?
Set and enforce boundaries. Be willing to be the bad guy. Don't let your own guilt keep you from being tough when you must be.
Be candid about your own mistakes. Be willing to change your mind, admit wrong, and openly apologize.
Be patient. Remember that the path to success is paved with failures, and don't forget that one of the reasons kids have trouble being perfect is that they have imperfect parents.
Be accepting. Remind your children often that home is a place they can find forgiveness and new beginnings.
Remember that some opportunities come only once. Few of us grandparents feel regret because we once missed an important business meeting to spend time with a child.
Don't judge other parents or children. It will come back on you. Never say "never" (as in "My child would never do that").
Don't over-program. Leave your child room to be creative.
Begin at an early age to give children responsibility and don't be afraid to let them fail. Also don't cover for them when they do. Part of growing up is learning how to mend one's own mistakes.
Laugh a lot.
Be silly together.
Sing a lot.
Let your children know they live in a harsh world. Talk candidly of accidents and crime. Maybe let them role play how they would respond to each. Also things such as camping in the wilderness can help children develop resourcefulness and toughness.
Be concerned about the hearts and minds of children. Work on their "want-tos." If they develop a love for things that are good for them, you won't worry as much when they leave your home.
Help your children find mentors such as scout or school leaders, coaches, youth directors, summer camp counselors, and family friends (remember the times; you must do some investigating and screening on your own). Also develop your own mentors (can be your parents and grandparents) to help advise you about parenting.
Do things to keep yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. If you allow your children to keep you from daily exercise, alone time, or regular times away from the children with a spouse and/or friends; you will find it hard to be a good parent.
Finally, give yourself permission to really enjoy your kids. What could you do right now that would give pleasure to both you and your child? Some day you will long for such an opportunity.
By Mike Bellah.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Hello there...I haven't written you lately....
Have you ever pressed your nose into the silky softness of a baby's neck, then inhaled that unforgettable aroma of warm brand-newness that is so delicious the memory of it can stay with you until the next time?I haven't written lately because I thought perhaps I was beginning to repeat the same sentiments, maybe tell similar stories, or heaven forbid, go on a little too strong about the virtues and rewards of being a grandmother. Today I'll throw all caution to the wind and write you again.
For someone so small, Sam has become so large in my day to day living. I love my early morning phone calls that give me a general report card on the previous night's escapades and the plans for the coming day. Sadly, I don't recall being so intrigued with my own children. Was it simply because there wasn't the time to reflect on how amazingly spectacular they were? They were and continue to be, absolutely fabulous. I didn't understand how important it was to take time to just sit and watch them grow before my eyes. I was too busy cleaning my house. I didn't appreciate how powerful their presence was in a room because I was constantly picking up toys and wiping off the counter.
Maybe this will be something my children can do differently. I hope so.
I wonder if they would let me press my nose into their little necks one more time.
Yes, I still wipe down the countertop seventeen times a day.
Old habits die hard.
Sam sends a video message to Great Grandma Lois!
Sam hopes to have a cuddle with his Great Grandma very soon!
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