Here........'s William

For those of you who think I've been slacking......here's some pictures for you.....

Meeting (Great) Grandma Marian

William seems to be checking her out

Are you really sleeping, William ?

William and his Daddy















Grandma (without the blue face) and William













Sweet William in Grandma's arms

Sweet William...

I got to spend two afternoons "hanging" with "Sweet William". As I am just getting over a cold (poor timing, for sure), I don a blue mask and hold and watch my new grandson (I'm supposed to keep him awake for a while). Good thing his focusing abilities are adjusting or I'm sure he'd wonder about the Grandma with the blue face! He and I just hang out while Mom and Dad do some of life's necessities. Being home from the hospital now two days, Mommy and Daddy are getting the hang of life with baby. I got to see much more "eyes" and alertnessfrom William today. He wet on me (actually leaked through his diaper) and challenged me to change a baby poop diaper with legs and feet flailing all over! But he's a cuddler and we all love to cuddle! Can you believe I've been with him two afternoons and have not taken any pictures!?! I know... pretty amazing! I promise to do better, but it was so much fun just holding him!

FYI - Sweet William is a flower. We grew it a few years when we lived in Durand and I always loved the flowers. You can be sure that "Sweet William" will grow in our garden again beginning this year.......just for sweet William Christopher!!

Birth days and birthdays

Today, March 20, is the birth day of our grandson, William Christopher Hardwick. His Daddy just called a little while ago with the news. It's been a long day for Mom, Dad, and baby. Everyone is fine, but tired. We will meet this little guy tomorrow. And tomorrow, March 21, is the birthday of our granddaughter, Shelby. She will be 4 years old. What a four years it has been for us all to get to know this young ball of energy and to go through so many experiences with her and her liver disease.

You definitely will be reading and seeing more of these two little persons in our lives. Birth days and birthdays........very important days for us all !!!!

The surprise was a success !!

Jenn thought just her family would be here for her birthday dinner complete with her favorite foods. You know, Mom, Dad, brother, sister-in-law, husband, daughter 1 and daughter 2. Well, we were.......but I extended her immediate family to include good friends, Tucker, TeriJo and Anika and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bruce and Lori and nephew, Ray. Unbeknownst to her, she played right into it as I brought Shelby and Anika to our house to watch them while Jenn got her hair cut. Thomas picked Riley up after school and all 3 girls helped decorate the cake. It was lovely. The more sprinkles, the better. Yum, Yum!

Riley and Shelby got to help decide about Mom's cake. Both girls wanted chocolate cake, but one wanted white frosting (Riley) and the other chocolate (Shelby). SO, thus the two-tone frosted cake. Each girl got to place a number. Riley got the "0" pretty close to the middle of the chocolate, but Shelby had the "3" placed before either Riley or I could direct her! That's our Shelby!!

"Jenn's plan" was that TeriJo would pick Anika up here.......so when Tucker showed up with TeriJo, we informed Jenn they were staying for supper too! Then Bruce and Lori showed up. She had no clue. It was fun to surprise her.

The kids were more than helpful blowing out her candles. They were anxious to eat sweet cake and ice cream!

She was totally surprised. She enjoyed her cards and gifts and the jabs at now being "old". Everyone enjoyed her favorite foods plus a few extra dishes. The kids were all pretty good. The conversation flowed and we all had a good time celebrating #30 for our baby girl. And I had a great time cooking and pulling off this surprise for her!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENN !!! I love you. Mom