Through a Grandmother's eyes...

Mum Mum crackers are Yum Yum!

2009-06-17T07:30:00.000-05:00

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Jeffrey-Alexander and Jeffrey Alan

2009-06-17T06:18:00.005-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, Jeff (Jeffrey's Grandfather ) came for a weekend visit with the family. It was a beautiful weekend and before he went back to Kentucky everyone went to the park for some fun.

GrandDad Visits

2009-06-17T05:39:00.005-05:00

Gotta have a talk about this swing thing...
I might like it but I gotta hang on to my paci just in case...
Let's get this party started GrandDad! (still hangin on to paci)
Okay, so far so good. How 'bout a little higher?
Yeah! That's more like it but I am NOT dropping my paci!
I love you too, GrandDad!
Eye to eye contact...serious conversation here!
This is my GrandDad, Jeff (my namesake)

Wow, that was so much fun! Now I get to swing with my GrandDad and suck on my paci at the same time. Ahhhhhh! Ain't life grand?

I hope you come back soon to see me. Wish we could see each other more often. You KNOW what to do about that.

2009-06-02T19:00:00.002-05:00

Today was such a hot day here in the midsouth so we decided that it would be a good time for J. to try out the new pool his mommy and daddy bought him. He was not sure what to think of that cold water but seemed to just chill out for the adventure. Next time we will try it with some toys and not around nap time. He looks pretty cute in those swim trunks his great Granny and Poppa sent him though, and especially cute in that hat! Thanks Great Granny and Poppa. We love you!

Swimming

2009-06-02T18:49:00.003-05:00

Looks like the little guy is not to sure about that cold water, especially right before naptime! He looks pretty cute, regardless.

Mother's Day '09

2009-06-01T05:01:00.004-05:00

Ever have an almost perfect day? You could actually say it was perfect but you know that perfection cannot be obtained here on earth. Well my Mother's Day this year was just that! I had the most wonderful with my daughters, new son-in-law and of course little J. Alex.

From the beginning of the week, it started out hectic. Linds had to drive me to Louisville for my 6 month evaluation at the Brown Cancer Clinic. I had CT scans done on Thursday (which meant that I had to drink that gross chalky stuff on Wednesday night) Anyway, I made it through that ordeal. I am a big baby when it comes to having to drink or taste gross things. I have always been horrible about taking my medicine; ask my mom. SOOOOO, I saw Dr. Parker on Friday and she said that the scans appeared to have no signs of cancer! Can I get an AMEN on that one. Hooray, but something did show up in my lower back so I have to have an MRI done sometime soon, it could be disk degeneration. My bladder is also showing signs of disrepair from all of the radiation damage. I have had four episodes equivalent to that of passing kidney stones. I could be passing stones or I could be passing large blood clots and scar tissue. Dr. Parker told us that I was lucky to even still have a bladder considering the shape my insides were when she did my surgery in May of '06. Which leads me to another reason for my perfect days, I reached a three year mark of survival since the surgery that nearly killed me.

Ok, so I get through the Dr. visits and head on back home so that I can be there for Sunday and spend Mother's Day with Leah also. Leah and Lindsay decided that we were going to stop in Nashville on the way home and spend the night and celebrate Mother's Day there. They made reservations at the Rain Forest Cafe and everything. It was a spectacular lunch and a nice night in the hotel. Jeffrey stayed in the room with me while his mommy and daddy had some time alone. I was in hog heaven :) The girls, Jimmy and Jeffrey had wonderful presents for me; I am not going to name them all for fear of bragging. I will say that they were wonderful though and one from Jeffrey was a plaque that says that when he counts his blessings, he counts me twice! How sweet, right? So, we had a yummy lunch with calamari and all and then spent the day at the Opry Mills mall. Luckily we had the wheelchair cause Lindsay and Jimmy had to push me around almost the entire day.

You would think that this was a great day, right? It was even better when we got home. Leah and Jimmy had spotlessly cleaned my bedroom, clean bedding and all! I was so excited and to top it all off, Lindsay scrubbed my bathroom while I sipped on a fruity drink that she made me! It was a most wonderful, as perfect as a day can get here on earth. I spent it with the people that I love the most and boy did they show me how much they love me. Awesomeness, indeed! Enjoy the precious pictures from my First Mother's Day as a Grandmother and also my first-born's First Mother's Day!

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EASTER

2009-06-01T04:20:00.003-05:00

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Eating sweet potatoes and other fun things...

2009-06-01T02:47:00.002-05:00

Well, I realize that I am very much behind on my blogging. I am not going to make any excuses because frankly I don't think anyone really cares, right? I have treated myself to some new things that will make my blogging much easier. I have a new laptop and a camera so that I can take all of my own pictures and upload them whenever I want. Poor Auntie was always having to take time out of her busy life to do that for me but no more and boy am I excited. I can't wait to show all of the pictures from Easter and Mother's Day. For now, enjoy this sweet picture of my sweet guy eating his new favorite food, sweet potatoes!

Look what I can do!!

2009-04-30T01:38:00.004-05:00

That's right, TA-DAH!!! I can sit up all by myself!

I knew that my little guy would be sitting up soon but wow! The day before he turned five months old on May 18th, we sat him down with his toys and he didn't fall over right away. How awesome. One really neat thing about being the grandmother is that because I don't have to worry about or focus on anything except loving him, I tend to see or observe more little details than when my girls were growing up. Now, don't get me wrong, I noticed every little thing that they did and I documented it in their baby books but it is different now. I think that I was so young and had no idea what to expect that the awesomeness maybe escaped me just a little bit. Only grandparents know what I am talking about cause I sure didn't have a clue when my BFF Pam would tell me all about her precious little grandson, Joey. Hey Pammy, now I get it!

"I think I am tired of my picture being taken so much, what is the big deal about me sitting here and NOT falling over??"

Like father like son

2009-04-10T18:33:00.002-05:00

March 4, 2009 After going out to the store one day in March, Little Man stayed home with his Daddy. When we came back in, I just couldn't resist snapping a picture of the two of them napping together. Notice how they both have their right hands up under their heads and if only you could see their feet , you would see that Daddy has his legs and feet crossed exactly like Jeffrey does. So precious, don't you think?

Peek a Boo

2009-04-10T18:25:00.001-05:00

Well, it may seem like I am playing peek a boo and that I am hiding, but really I am just a lazy blogger. I have good intentions but those don't get me very far. I am going to spend a few minutes tonight trying to catch up and add some pictures from the last month. Enjoy and please hang in there with me, I may get more consistent, you never know! :)

Farewell Petey, Hello Ted...

2009-03-04T00:39:00.003-06:00

Lindsay + Petey = Best Friends

Zacchaeus Peter (Petey)

It has been very sad around our house for the past week. Sad and stressful which is my excuse for not posting last week or the weekend before. Lindsay's beloved dog Petey died on Friday the 20th of February. It was a shock to us all and poor Auntie Lou did not take it well. Everyone in our house took it hard. We were sure that Petey and J. Alexander would grow up together. Petey loved the baby and was always around him and often took advantage of the opportunity to take a nap right beside the baby if he were laying on the couch or bed.

We figured the only way to heal Lindsay's heart was to bring in a new pet to love; so even in these hard economic times Granddad, Jeffrey's mommy and daddy and I all pooled our money together to get Linds a new puppy. She went to the pet store and saw lots of puppies but almost gave up hope of finding one that she wanted to bring home. She said they all were so cute but seeing them made her sad and she just didn't click with any of them until one little black fur ball came bouncing into the room. I think it was love at first sight. Lindsay picked him up and laid him back onto his back, cradling him like a baby. She said that she knew he was the one when he let her do that and just looked up at her like he was in heaven. So, after two hours at the pet shop, Lindsay came home with a new little addition to our family: Zacchaeus Theodore Cox! He will be called Teddy or Ted. He was named after Petey whose full name was Zacchaeus Peter Cox. They both have the name Zacchaeus because they are indeed "wee little men." :) You judge for yourself, is he cute or what? Farewell Petey, we loved you so much and will miss you but little Ted will carry on for you!
Zacchaeus Theodore (Teddy)

Jeffrey and his Mommy

2009-03-03T23:56:00.003-06:00

Well, Little Mr. is growing and growing like a weed! He had to go see his ped. the other day for some crazy little rash and low and behold when they weighed him he was a whopping 16ibs and 8oz. 16 and a half pounds! Oh my, he is gonna be a big one for sure. He will be four months old in just two weeks. His height was not measured but he is long! He was 24.5 inches at two months so there is no telling how long he is now. One thing I know is that his sleepers are too short and his little pant legs are looking like shorts almost. lol Time for Grandmother to start getting this little guy some bigger clothes. I did find some great deals on e-bay and I won three auctions. I bought 3-6 month sizes and some 6 month sizes. He fits them well. The 6 month size fits really well. His mommy bought him some 6-9 month summer clothes which start at 16 pounds so he is well into that size! It just amazes me at how much he has grown. Seems like yesterday he was fitting right in our hands! Now he is a full arm load! All I have to say is that I love, love, love my little guy!

2009-02-14T02:48:00.003-06:00

11 Weeks Old

2009-02-14T02:38:00.002-06:00

I can't believe that this little fella is already eleven weeks old! The other day we had lovely almost 70 degree weather so Auntie took J. Alexander outside for a photo shoot. He was wearing his Daddy's favorite outfit: camo (anything)!

It was a fun time watching Auntie in action. She took over 90 shots but finished up with editing with about 60 or so. I am going to upload a few of those tomorrow hopefully but wanted to give a little preview for now.

Jeffrey is such a joy to all of us. He is the sweetest little guy. He loves to cuddle and kiss and smiles all of the time. I am trying to soak up all of these wonderful, toothless grins as I know that soon enough they will be gone. Not the smiles but the sweet gummy ones! I love those. Of course I am going to be thrilled when those first little teeth come in also. Every smile, at every moment is a treasure to me. Be on the look out for those new photos.

Have a great Valentine's Day with your loved ones. I have the sweetest little Valentine of all!

2009-01-25T07:16:00.000-06:00

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2009-01-25T06:13:00.000-06:00

I'm Back

2009-01-25T05:51:00.002-06:00

Well, I know I have to be the worst blogger of all times. I just forget to get online and update things. Lots of excuses though: my Internet wasn't working on my desk top, went to Alabama to see family, clumsy as I am, I fell and hurt my entire body so I was in the bed for a few days... The list could go on and on but basically it boils down to the fact that I lack motivation. Sorry.

My little man is growing like crazy! He went to the Dr. for his two month check-up and shots and was 13lbs, 14oz. Wow, right? He was also 24.5 inches long. He is gonna be a big linebacker I think and that would make his Granddad happy. lol I will make a list of the things that he is doing if I can remember them all. He is a genius, you know!

* Holds his head up for a very long time
* Sleeps about 5 hours straight at night
* Tracks objects with his eyes
* Recognizes familiar faces
* Smiles a lot
* Talks to us, coos, ahhs and oohs
* Beginning to reach for things but really just swats at them
* Rolls from tummy to back (sometimes)
* Notices his own hands and has control enough to get them to his mouth
* Giggles! My favorite sound in the world. This has only happened twice so far
but I love, love, love it! It is so awesome.

I am sure there more things but it is very early in the morning and I have not been to sleep and I can't remember anything else. If I do as I should, I will update more when I think of them. Have a wonderful day and enjoy the pictures!

Bath 11/26/08

2008-12-19T05:03:00.000-06:00

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Petey, Jeffrey's new friend!

2008-12-19T03:08:00.004-06:00

Pete feels the need to watch over the situation, he knows how traumatic a bath can be

Petey finds someone that likes to sleep as much as he does!

.

Jeffrey and Petey

2008-12-19T02:42:00.002-06:00

Well Petey has been the baby in the house for a couple of years and we all wondered how he would like having a baby around. Take a look at the picture and you will have your answer! Pete loves my little man but thinks that he needs to be included in all of the action. Here in this pic, Jeffrey was having a bath (the kind before the cord falls off) so we were all on my bed, including Petey! It was too cute.

Jeffrey "sees" Santa

2008-12-19T02:19:00.005-06:00

Tonight was an exciting night at our house! Jeffrey's mommy and daddy gave him a nice bath and then dressed him in his new Santa outfit that daddy picked up the other day while he was out shopping. Saying it is cute, well, is just an understatement. hee hee

So, we loaded up the car with everything we needed, might need and probably wouldn't need and headed to the mall. It was a foggy, dreary evening but at least not so cold. I think it was close to 60. Aunt Linds was going to meet us at the mall. We got there, got everything out and headed into the mall. I guess it was around five or so. Wouldn't you know it Santa was on his break! He wouldn't be back until 6:00. This almost got mommy upset because she was not happy about having Jeffrey-Alexander out in the first place. I think we all more or less talked her into it. The doctors just scare the snot out of new moms about taking their babies out before 6 weeks. I know you have to be careful but it wasn't like Jeffrey was going to be greeting people at the door!

We sat and had some water and allowed everyone walking buy to admire my beautiful little grandson with his Santa outfit on, including the boots and hat! He looked precious. We finally got to see Santa with just a small wait in line. Jeffrey had fallen sound asleep of course but good ole' Santa thought he was beautiful and told us that he would just take a small little nap with him, so if you will notice in the picture Santa and Jeffrey are asleep! Too precious and sooooooo special! It was a great night. Just a quick note, Jeffrey's mommy and daddy could not hold back their tears when Jeffrey was up there with Santa. This is just the beginning of many first that this sweet little guy will have. I don't know how in the world they will make it. ha ha I think I will buy them some Kleenex for Christmas. On that note, hope you have had the chance to see Santa too! Have a great weekend!
Love, Rhonda aka Grandmother

2008-12-19T02:05:00.003-06:00

MADE IT JUST A LITTLE BIGGER SO YOU COULD SEE HIS FACE AND SANTA'S FACE. AS YOU CAN TELL, JEFFREY DIDN'T REALLY "SEE" SANTA AT ALL; OH BOY WONDER WHAT NEXT YEAR WILL BE LIKE!??

Sleepless in Tennessee

2008-12-14T11:47:00.004-06:00

Well, actually I am almost four weeks behind on this blog since I didn't even start until Jeffrey was over three weeks old. I will try to catch up on his pictures (You know we only take a "few" a day) lol

I believe I have already started a terrible habit with Little Mr. He LOVES to sleep in his Grandmother's arms. Worse yet (well it is not worse for me, I love it) anyway, worse yet, He loves to sleep With me. I can hear some of you saying UGHH RHONDA! I say back off people! hee hee It doesn't happen all of the time and I am very careful and most of you know that I don't sleep much at night anyway so I spend the majority of the time awake, watching him, singing to him, and just talking to him. Sometimes while he sleeps I just watch him. It's like that Aerosmith song: "Don't wanna close my eyes cause I don't wanna miss a thing" I will lay on my right side and he will be on his left side in my arm directly against my chest and belly. I then can pat his little bottom with my right hand and in his little world, ALL IS WELL. He loves it. If he gets fussy and won't settle down that is all we have to do. It is precious, he is precious and I feel so blessed.

BUT the down side to it all. I AM GETTING NO SLEEP! ha ha If I hear Leah up with him, I will hurry out of bed no matter how sleepy or tired and ask if I can take him. I tell her it is so she can get some rest, so that she can be ready for him later on when he wakes again, BUT....... well I think you (and she) already know the real reason I listen for him to be awake. I think for fun, I am going to show you a couple of pictures of Old Grandmother looking sleep deprived. Enjoy!

2008-12-13T23:31:00.001-06:00

After viewing my friend Jodie's blog for the past year or so and enjoying the gift of being able to watch her beautiful baby girl Izzie grow, I have decided that I would start my own blog. There is no better time to do that than now. My first and only grandchild was born on November 19, 2008 at 12:05 pm. He weighed in at a whopping 8ibs- 11oz. and was 20" long. This will be my life as a grandmother and the life of Jeffrey. Who knew that after a really rough last few years that I would ever feel this way again, so as the name of my blog says:

I'm in love again, naturally.......

Jeffrey's BirthDay 11/19/08

2008-12-13T22:46:00.001-06:00

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