Wordless Wednesday: Got Hardware????



Left Femoral Neck Pinning on 2-14-11



Grandkids Sleepover!

Last Friday we invited Nathan and Natalie to our house for a sleepover. They get so excited and love to pack their bags with pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, tooth brushes, and all the other essential items required for a successful night at GiGi's, Grandma's and Grandpa's house.

As part of our routine, the Nats love to have stories read to them. I've found some great automated stories as iPad applications that allow Nathan and Natalie to real along, listening to the story and turning the electronic pages when the symbol sounds.  (The automated stories are STORYCHIMES).

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After dinner its time for bath, and they definately LOVE bathtime...especially when bubbles are involved:

After bath, it is snack and funny face time:

Soon it is off to the big bed with Grandma (EZ moves to the hospital bed that still adornes the master bedroom), for movietime. We watched the movie Oliver & Company:

 

The evening came to a close with some tickling (of course), a bible story and prayer time, then it was lights out and sweet dreams! Morning arrives mighty early with little ones and we were all awake by 7:00 to enjoy a few cartoons in bed before heading out to the kitchen to make some french toast to go with our grapefruit.

We love to have the Nats sleep over and can't wait until Samuel, Samantha, and Emery are old enough to join the fun. That will be one crowded bed!

Happy Birthday Nick!

Twenty five years ago today our third child, and only son, Nicholas Lee Baker, was born at 8:56am. He weighed in at 8 pounds 15 ounces and was 21 inches long.

March 25th, 1986

Growing up he gave us a few more scares than his sisters when he contracted viral meningitis, swallowed a penny, rode his Hotwheels into the pool, fell on his bike and got a concussion, tripped and got stitches on his chin, sprained his ankle numerous times, and eventually broke his kneecap! However, this first quarter of a century is also filled with wonderful (and humorous) memories of camping, boy scouts, soccer, baseball, fishing, hiking, paintball, snorkeling, traveling and so much more. The time has flown by so very quickly...

I suppose hiking the Inca Trail and climbing Machu Picchu is a much more exciting way to spend your birthday than being home with family, but we sure do love and miss you Nick and wanted to wish you a very

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Thankful Thursday - Friendships that Stand the Test of Time

Sandi has been a blessing to me since the day we moved next door to her in Boca Raton, Florida, in November of 1979. Our husbands both worked for IBM, we both loved cats, her southern charm fascinated me, and she already knew all about being a mom to three children. She was my "go to girl" for so many things, including taking care of Tara until my mom could get there while we were giving birth to Leah! Her daughter, Shannon, was the best "mother's helper" and babysitter when I was expecting Leah, and Tara just adored every minute she could spend "playing" with Shannon.

Shannon and Sandi meeting Emery

We kept in touch and visited one another over the years, and as God would have it, Sandi and two of her children and their families live in Georgia, not too far from Leah! We have really enjoyed being able to share the joys of "grandmotherhood" with one another over the past couple of years. She has 3 grandchildren with a 4th on the way, and just as I did when my children were little, I know that Leah could call on her in a heartbeat and she would be there. Wow, does that bless my heart since I am 7 hours away!

Sandi, Shannon, and their husbands came to Leah's bearing gifts and dinner from Olive Garden last Thursday afternoon. It is always so good to see them and we were blown away by their love and generosity! Shannon and Mike have a son, Mason, and are expecting a little girl in May.



Baby Ballerina outfit for Emery so she can follow in her Mommy's footsteps and dance!



Watch out Nathan and Natalie...Grandpa is ready!



More wonderful books to read to the grandkids



Mike, Emery, Shannon and Mason (about to be a big brother!)



This yumminess needs no description!

It was a wonderful visit which ended all too soon. (Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of Sandi's husband, Al, or Kyle, but they were both there as well!) We are so grateful to Sandi and her family for loving our grandchildren the way they loved our children. We treasure their friendship and look forward to celebrating the birth of their newest granddaughter in May! 

Wordless Wednesday: Oh Baby...We Are Smitten!

Emery Update

Last week was a busy one as both families welcomed Miss Emery Katherine Guenther into the world!

Grandpa, Grandma and Emery

Kyle, sister Rachel, Leah, Emery, Poppa and Grammy

Of course what would a homecoming celebration be without a toast and a delicious dessert...compliments of Copeland's and Brenda and Don!

Kyle's sister Kerry, due in April, was a surprise guest!

 

Yes, it tasted as amazing as it looked!

She is doing great, eating well and sleeping like a champ. We are loving every minute of the time we have gotten to spend with her, and also with Leah and Kyle.

A very special Grandpa/Emery moment!

Snuggling with Grandma!

Three generations of girls!

The weather has been beautiful lately, so we tucked Emery into her Baby Bjorn and took a walk each of the last couple of days with the family. She loved it and fell right to sleep every time.

I love being outside with my daddy!

She's also already been the star of a Gmail video chat with Tara, Jamie, Natalie and Nathan. The cousins were so excited to see 'baby Emery'!

I'm on daddy's lap as he holds the video chat camera.

Monday morning, she had her first doctor's appointment and passed with flying colors. We knew she would!

Yep, that is an A+.  

Welcome Baby Emery!  We are so glad that you're here and so very happy to be spending a few weeks loving on you and your awesome parents!

EZ Update

Hello from Marietta, Georgia. Linda and I are down here for a couple weeks to help Leah and Kyle welcome baby Emery home!

It has been been four weeks since my hip pinning surgery and my recovery is going great. The staples were removed about ten days ago and the incisions have all but healed up now.  My leg strength is improving and yesterday we took a 1.6 mile walk around Marietta, enjoying the beautiful Spring weather. Leah and Kyle's town home is three levels and the stairs are an additional source of leg strengthening exercise for me.

Today is my first day back on Revlimid after a five week hiatus. Dr. Kritz had me off the Revlimid as it may create blood clots after surgery. That hiatus and about two more weeks of daily Lovenox shots will hopefully keep me out of any blood clotting concerns.  Linda and I won't be sad when we stop those shots!

Sleeping at night continues to be a challenge as leg/sacrum nerve pain continues to flare up in the early hours of each morning.  However, afternoon naps with Emery are great.  After all, someone has to do it.

Hope that everything is well with you and yours.   Happy Monday!

A Blessing from Heaven

Last Sunday night, Leah called and said that she was having mild contractions about four to six minutes apart. Later that night she called again and said they had become less regular (not completely truthful, they just didn't want us to worry or drive through the night!). Linda and I finished packing and got a good night's rest (well sort of). Monday morning we packed the MDX and headed south arriving at Leah and Kyle's about four pm. They had just taken a 3.2 mile walk! Leah was continuing to have regular and stronger contractions after dinner, so they headed off to the hospital at about 8:30pm. At 1:48am Tuesday morning, our 5th grandchild arrived:   Emery Katherine!

Emery Katherine Guenther, 7lbs 15oz, 19.5 inches long

Emery snuggling with Daddy this morning before coming home

Needless to say, Linda and I are overjoyed as this little blessing from heaven arrived healthy, safe and sound.

Happy Grandma Linda

Proud Grandpa EZ

Thank you so much for all your prayers and support for Leah and Kyle as we awaited this beautiful little girl.   We are overjoyed to have been there and part of her arrival. Leah, Kyle and little 'e' are checking out of the hospital and coming home today! Welcome Home Emery!

  Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,
         The fruit of the womb is a reward. 

Psalm 127-3

Wordless Wednesday - Our New Granddaugter, Emery Katherine Guenther

Born March 8th, 7lbs 15oz, 19.5 inches long

A Tisket, A Tasket, a Red and White Birthday Basket!

I just had to post a picture of a birthday present I received from the Dew family. I have admired Tara's basket for quite some time now, seeing how much she uses it and how perfect it is for carrying meals to friends and families in need. Well, she surprised me with one! No gifts were expected as my early present from the whole family was the trip I took to Georgia last month to be with Leah and Kyle before Emery arrives (and I loved every minute of it!). I LOVE this basket and hope it will be used for many family picnics, church functions, and to bless others when I bring them a meal. Thanks so much to the Dews!

Tara and Jamie, with the help of Nathan and Natalie, also prepared a wonderful dinner on my birthday. EZ, Gigi, and I were treated to a delicicous pork loin roast with mashed potatos, salad and bread, served in the dining room on fine china. The Nats were just so big drinking from their crystal water glasses. Nathan was the cutest "bread boy" I have ever seen serving in his little apron. They are just getting so big!

We retired to the family room after dinner and opened cards and presents. Nick, Leah and Kyle were missed as well as the Sams, who had already been tucked into bed. My "cake" this year was a delicious key lime pie!

After dinner and dessert, the Nats and Grandpa retired to the bedroom where their nightly wrestling match then ensued!

Many thanks to the Dews for having us over, and to my whole family for a very Happy Birthday!