Lucy and Ethel Ride the Light Rail

Phoenix has a brand new light rail system!!! We are able to pick up the train about 10-15 minutes from our house and take it to downtown Phoenix. The train stops right in front of Jim's office. However, after taking one trip to work during the first week that the light rail was in operation, Jim swears that he will never take it again. Perhaps he will reconsider after some glitches in the system have been addressed (I won't hold my breath!). Patty and I decided to experience the "rail" ourselves, so we took a Lucy/Ethel adventure on Tuesday. We took the light rail to the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix, had lunch, did a little shopping, and went to a movie (a private showing as we were the only two people in the theater!!!) As we had no time restraints (one of Jim's complaints), we had a great time. As an interesting aside, our county sheriff announced yesterday that he intends to use the light rail to transport convicts from the airport to the county jail. Yikes!!! I'm glad that we went on our adventure when we did!

Extremes

While visiting Dave, Meg, and Owen in New York this month, I experienced the joy that I remember as a child looking out the window at a snow storm. I had forgotten the quiet that accompanies the falling snow and the beauty as the landscape is transformed into a winter wonderland. It has been said that there is nothing better than curling up with a good book in front of a crackling fire on a cold, winter day. I beg to differ. There is nothing better than curling up in front of a crackling fire on a cold, winter day while snuggling a newborn grandbaby. :) I returned home to Phoenix, and on a typical Phoenix winter day, planted spring flowers while wearing shorts and a sleeveless shirt. Talk about extremes!

Baby exercise

It seems like all the TV shows and magazines are promoting exercise in January after everyone has hit the scales after the holidays. Owen is also starting his life and the New Year in the habit of exercising by spending time on his exercise mat getting "belly time". He squirms, grunts, and groans and seems to enjoy looking into the mirror. Like most baby gadgets in this day and age his exercise mat plays music and has flashsing lights. It's a new world out there in Babyland.

Owen has a belly button!

Tuesday marked a big milestone in Owen's life - his cord FINALLY fell off, and he now has a real belly button! Our thoughts collectively went to "tub bath." So he got his first tub bath Tuesday night. We were all excited, had the cameras rolling, and got all the new bath supplies gathered. His initial introduction to the water was good, and we were hopeful that going back into the water would be a soothing experience for him. All was going well while Meg poured some water over him. Dave and I were snapping away with the cameras, and then Meg started to wash him with a washcloth. That was the turning point. It was the first time since I have been here that Owen cried - really, really cried. Meg's heart was breaking, so we got him out of the tub, wrapped him in his frog towel, and comforted him until he stopped crying. Thankfully the crying stopped shortly after he was dry and warm and craddled in Grammy's arms. More pictures are posted in a special album of Owen's First Bath in our on-line Photo Album.

Having a new baby is hard on Daddy, too

I thought I should include this picture of Dave and Owen taken while we were watching TV last night. Having a new baby is pretty hard on Daddy, too!!

Owen Goes to the Doctor

Owen's big outing from the house was a trip to the doctor's office for a routine newborn check-up. He had gained 10 ounces in a week; he now weighs in at 8 lb. 1 oz. and has surpassed his birth weight. He is so mild mannered and didn't mind all the poking and prodding. All the excitement of the trip took its toll on Owen and Meg; they slept away most of the day!!

New Yorker Turns Cardinal Fan

I was all jazzed for the Cardinals football game at 8:15 p.m. yesterday and kept myself busy in the kitchen making Greek meatballs for dinner and cinnamon rolls for Sunday breakfast. Dave just worked in the morning, so he and Baby Mama had a lot of baby time together yesterday. Owen slept, ate, and pooped away the day - as usual. Even before the game, the day was magical as it snowed. The forecast had called for 3-5 inches. We were snug as bugs with the fireplace going, and the aroma of cinnamon filling the air from the oven. Just prior to game time came the big moment - our littlest New Yorker donned his Cardinals garb, and he and Grammy were ready to cheer on the Red Birds. Dave's friend, Brian, an avid Giants fan, had texted Dave and wanted to know if I had my jersey on yet and said that if I put anything Cardinals "on the kid it would be child abuse." Well, Brian, this picture is for you!! Everyone went to bed just before the game was over last night; I stayed up and watched the postgame show and then went on the internet to savor the victory. Go Cardinals!!!!

Baths and Photo Shoot

Owen had his first sponge bath (still waiting for the cord to fall off!) since I have been here; and for the first time since I arrived, he cried - no tears, but he cried. I forgot how much crying tugs at the heart. He smells so good. I had my shower and babysat while Meg went to the bank and ran a few errands. Upon her return, she put make-up on me to get me ready for a photo shoot of me and Owen. She is very particular, down to having me wear one of her blue sweaters and picking out the perfect outfit for Owen. We got a lot of great pictures and will post them as they become available. But for now, here are four of my favorites.

It's all about Owen

Today I was definitely a grandma. Meg went out to the store to buy baby supplies and groceries, and I got to babysit. :) Owen is so tiny that he fits in my forearm. He loves to snuggle, so I am having a wonderful time snuggling with him. We rocked in the chair in his room today, and I sang to him. It is funny when I am holding him up on my shoulder and he gets hungry and starts to "shark" on my face. He is a little bit jaundice, so we had him lying in the sun on my bed for a while today. Unfortunately, I think it would take hours for the sun here to do him much good. The doctor has him on some supplemental vitamin D. We think he is starting his first growth spurt as he ate like a little piggy today. After dinner tonight, we watched the movie "Eagle Eye." Meg fell asleep pretty early on, and I followed suit about 3/4's into the movie. I awoke in time to see the end, and Dave explained what I had missed. It was definitely action packed, and falling asleep was not a good thing to do.

Grammy meets Baby Owen

I arrived in New York tonight; it seemed like it took forever to get here. After all, there was a very special someone at the house for me to meet for the first time!! As you can see from the picture, we hit it off just fine!! He is SO tiny. :) I'll include more pictures in our Photo Album.

Leaving on a jet plane

I'm leaving tomorrow morning to fly to New York to meet Owen!!! I'm so excited. He was a week old on Monday; I can't wait to cuddle our newest little blessing. I'll be taking LOTS of pictures and blogging while I am away from home. Stay tuned! I am remembering 29 years ago when my mom came to our house to help me with our newborn baby, David. It is so strange to think that now I am the grandma, and I will be doing for my son and his family what my mom did for me when he was the newborn. Start humming "Circle of Life" from "The Lion King." :)

Cardinals Win!!

We went to the Arizona Cardinals play-off game against the Atlanta Falcons today. I don't know if I have ever been to such an electrifying sporting event. All the fans, approximately 65,000 of us, were given white play-off towels upon entering the stadium, and 64,999 of them (Jim's being the exception) were waving in the air at the opening kick-off and during almost every Falcons offensive series. It was quite a display and an unforgettable game. We will learn tomorrow night who next week's opponent will be. I will be in New York meeting my new grandson Owen and have already sent an E-mail asking for dibs on the TV next weekend!! GO CARDINALS!!!

Happy New Year!!!

We rang in the New Year with Jim and Patty Dorsey at their annual New Year's Eve party. We all laugh that each year as we get older we don't know if we will make it until midnight anymore for the toast! We hung in there and got home around 2:00 a.m. Maybe we aren't as old as we think . . .