Is there a Grandma in the house?

As you already know, I am totally wrapped up in the care and adoration of the new baby, Emilie.
I can't think of too much else, or talk about much else, so please pardon this silly grandma,
 I  just can't help it.

But today, we went out for a bit and stopped at a local market, roadside stand. You do know that new Jersey is the Garden State, right?  Even this early in the growing season, the produce looks wonderful.
 Mostly it is coming from California or Florida or somewhere, right now.  But they had some hot-house tomatoes.

Just had to have a Jersey tomato sandwich as soon as we got home.

Thick slice of tomato, a  generous slather of mayonaise,  pinch of coarse black pepper and a sprinkle of salt on toast, that's the way I make them.  A deliciously simple  local favorite!
 Even though they are hothouse "maters", they're pretty good!
I got this good multigrain bread at Aldi's, for  only $1.89.
I've been making meals for the little family, trying to come up with some new ideas.

Easy hostessing with fruits and vegetables!  Attractive and wholesome too!

 Watermelon-high amounts of vitamins A and C, and  lycopene, for cardiovascular health.      
Blueberries-antioxidants, and fiber, lower cholesterol and protect heart.                               
      Strawberries-contain phenols, are anti-inflammatory, fight disorders such as osteoarthritis.           Cauliflower is rich in Vitamin C , and K and lots of other nutrients.                                      

 I just keep cutting up fruits and veggies for the family and friends stopping by to see the baby.

I bag up leftovers for healthy snacking anytime and use surplus veggies for stir-fries, or steam for dinner sides.

Fruits can be thrown in the freezer then whirled in the blender with milk or yogurt for delicious smoothies. 

Oh, and we had an important birthday for Aunt Amy,  Mother's Day, and Memorial Day! 

Also Amy, my youngest daughter just graduated from Rutgers School of Law! What an accomplishment! 
She has such determination and brains!

   My,  what an eventful month of May!

My daughter, me and baby Emilie on Mother's Day

My baby girl graduates from law school!  So proud!

So we've been pretty  busy with the new baby,  graduation ceremony, family celebrations and it's been wonderful.  But there are complications and some drama in every family, and it takes a bit of  humor, and grace to pull it off and keep everybody happy.

 3 year old Tommy and his brand new baby sister Emily.

Grandma's tips to keep the older siblings from feeling left out.

• Be patient. Don't push them away, even when they are bothering the baby or you.  If you embrace them and gently guide them they will learn to be gentle and not feel       neglected. They will be helpful if included.
• Realize they have been dethroned and may have some normal jealous feelings.
• Invent ways to make them feel special. Let them fetch things for you, like a blanket or       pacifier.
• Let go.  Grandma or other family members can take older siblings on walks and other outings, or just  outdoors so Mama and baby can nap in peace. You'll appreciate the break and they will feel special.
• Show them pictures of themselves as a newborn, and tell them they were just as cute, sweet, precious.
• Pray with them at table grace time and bedtime, asking God to help them  obey, behave,  and be helpful, and thanking God for the new baby and the family you have.  You can express your values and gratitude. You can teach them while saying a prayer, and it doesn't hurt for a child to see you  talking to God.
• Try to keep normal routines, but allow for extra treats, like staying up later than usual to play a game with Daddy.   Be flexible, understanding, everybody is adjusting!
• Praise them!  Positive reinforcement  creates more positive behavior.

You shall teach them to your children,

 talking of them when you are sitting in your house, 

and when you are walking by the way,

and when you lie down,

 and when you rise. ..

                                                                                        Deuteronomy 11:19 ESV

I am reassuring my daughter that life will settle into more normal patterns, 

as the baby learns to eat on more of a schedule, (and not every hour and a half), 

when we begin to get more sleep. 

In the meantime, I am doing everything possible to make the house run smoothly.  Besides diaper changing, and rocking the baby, I'm playing with Thomas, cooking, cleaning, and  doing all the dirty work, so my daughter who's nursing can concentrate on her mothering roles, and get some rest while she heals and everyone adjusts to all the changes.

 I am also helping with grocery shopping and being an an extra pair of arms when we run errands. Did you know that they make the car seats now, so that they no longer fit in the shopping carts, so I don't understand how a young mother can  possibly do her shopping alone, especially with more than one child!  Frustrating!  So I can solve some problems, just by "being there".

 Anyway, here's a solution I used to get rid of some pesky ants.

Easy Ant Killer Cotton Balls
Make a solution: 1 cup warm water, 1/2 cup sugar, and 2 Tbsp. Borax.
Soak several cotton balls in solution. Squeeze gently and place soaked
 cotton balls wherever you've seen ants making trails.
They will feed and die immediately.
 Use care when placing the cotton balls where children and pets are present.

"Every house needs a grandma in it"

Hope you're having as much fun as I am! 

                               Love, Linda

Babywatch

I'm staying with my  3 yr. old grandson, waiting for the birth of his little sister!
My daughter and her hubby went to the hospital last night and any time now,
 I could receive the much anticipated call,  "It's a girl!!  Everything's fine."
                    

a cut apart Dollar Tree banner and a wreath make the grand announcement.

 Of course, this baby is all I can think about right now.  I love her already.
 I'm  staying busy, I'm pampering Tommy. He wants to bake cupcakes
 for his Mommy and Daddy.
The house is cleaned, diapers are stocked, nursery is ready.
 My daughter Amy and I decorated too!  We'll take a walk, and wait.
I don't know what I would do without "Aunt Amy", always making big brother
 feel special,  and helping entertain him!  Then  standing by me,
as the anticipation grows!

The last picture of very expectant mommy, and her only child.

said Pooh, by  A.A. Milne

Funny, my first grandchild, already 17, is attending the prom tonight.

 It seems like he was  just born yesterday, and his childhood has sped by so quickly, 

So I'm excited about this special night, and my heart is full of pride and motherly

 concern for him!  But, I'm learning to trust in the Lord, instead of worrying.  

Gary, 3 years ago   Now he's driving, working, making plans for college, and  going to his High School Prom!

How fast the years go by! How our hearts feel like they are so full they'll burst, 

and yet when we have someone new come into our lives--- we start all over, 

and our love just grows and grows. 

I'm so thankful for these grandbabies!

Dear God,                                                                    

Please  give me the grace and wisdom to teach them

 your ways, and enough strength, patience, to share my love

and give the proper care to my grandbabies and their families. 

 Please give me enough time to share all the important things

 I must pass on to them, as only a grandma can do.  

In Jesus' name,  Amen

May 3, 2014                                                                                              

             Now, we've gone into the next day. I guess she will be born on the 3rd, 

             not her due date, the 2nd.                                                                   

             I talked to Julie several hours ago. When first admitted they administered                 

             Cervadil,  to induce her and it didn't work.                                                        

             Now some other meds, Pitocin. The midwife said we will have a baby by morning . 

   Then at midnite,   Pitocin was stopped.  Contractions stopped.                                           

             I think she's resting now, and her husband is with her.I must be patient!

morning breaks,    still no baby.

                                                                     

  A long afternoon..........                                                                              

 Some encouraging words-affirmations  

that I said to my daughter before and during labor. 

           Your body knows how to give birth

              You are a good mother

                Your baby knows the true birthday

                  You are a strong woman

 and try meditating on this verse, one of my favorites: 

"Finally brethren,whatever is true, whatever is noble,

 whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent 

or praiseworthy- think about these things."  Phillipians 4:8 

  At last!  

4:30 pm   Just heard,  She's here!  Everything's fine!

Big brother sees his sister for the first time,  on Facebook
 If you want  to know what's going on, the quickest way is social media! 

"Welcome Home",   driveway chalk decoration,
 redone the second time, because it washed away in the rain last night.

Later, 7:30 p.m.,  Tommy, Aunt Amy and I meet Emilie Grace
 at the hospital,  just 3 hrs. old

 8:30   the happy little family.  

        

  We say goodnight for now, and hope Mommy,Daddy and baby 

come home tomorrow!  

Meanwhile,  I learn that grandson #1, was the Prom Prince last night!                   

  

Gary and his date, Diana 

  

May 4    Okay, It rained again and washed away our chalk     

             greeting  "Welcome Home". 

             Twice it happened! 

              But baby can't come home yet, Billirubin's high.

May 5   We're not doing the chalk  again, cause we don't know when  

            they are coming home.    Waiting again, patiently.                                             

May 6, 2014, 5:00 p.m.  They're finally home from the hospital, Thank you Lord! 

            Mother and baby are doing great, big brother is being good and gentle.

Now, we can sleep peacefully,  Until the next feeding, in 2 hrs!

Love,  GrandmaLinda