Choices

Choices

Life is abundantly full of choices...those that are right and healthy...in a move your life forward kind of way, those that are comfortable as you are familiar with them, those that bring you joy, those that you keep hoping that if you just try a little harder/wait a little longer will bring you the safe and warm space we all seek.  

Then there are the unhealthy choices, that feel good a minute here and there...the ones you can hear your Mother admonish you for, the ones you do not freely share with your friends and family...you cannot...the ones that even you cannot explain to yourself...at night...alone...in the peace of the darkness.  

Lastly there are choices that once made, continue to have reverberations though out your life...for the rest of your life.  At this stage of my game, I only have several of those left...and I love them.  

This is a photograph of my Father and my Grandson, one of many I took last weekend...a nice example of reverberation...spanning 4 Generations...and proof that Choice is a great thing... 

Great Things Come in 2's...

Great Things Come in 2's

Giovanni is growing in leaps and bounds.  Holding him is an experience unknown to me until now...and watching him learn about his now limited World is so interesting.  Earlier this week he guided his walker down the hallway, occasionally getting caught up against the wall, and able to push himself away...back into the line of "traffic"... his face just beaming...

This is a picture I took this week of him, and his lovely Mother...they are quite the pair.  I admire how she enjoys every minute with him...as I know, though the chaos of child rearing never seems to end..."some day" it will suddenly be over...and you are left with memories...and hopefully gifted with a Grandchild...

Boy Meets Horse!

                               

        Boy Meets Horse!

Today is Giovanni's 8 month "Birthday"!  We celebrated by taking him to the barn, and introducing him to our friend's horses!   He loved the softness, and the manes...and actually took a brief ride supported by his Mom and Samantha.

This is my favorite picture of the series...taken in the barn, after his ride!  Perhaps we will be seeing him in a Lead Line Class towards the end of the year! 

Never In A Million Years...

Never In A Million Years...

Did I think that one very small, new to the Earth person could have such an effect on me. Not that I was not forewarned...I was...numerous times. I am not really a baby person...aside from my own children...though Giovanni has taken my finger that was reworked during Matthews' delivery and wrapped it around him.

This picture was taken when he was 3 days old...today is his one week Birthday. In the short time he has been here, he has reminded me that Family is the heart of life...and he has made me hopeful that I can accomplish the building of a "new Family"...that incorporates all... Lofty goals...decisions to be made and executed...work to be done... All in all...just another "day in the life"...and I am thankful for that...

Shopping for Postpartum Items

Shopping for Post Partum Items

My lovely, charming daughter will be giving birth to my 1st Grandchild within the next 5 weeks. After yesterday's trip to the Baby Store, I have figured out there are several things that she will need postpartum, that are not in her daily wardrobe.

The list is as follows:
1. underwear that function as "underwear"
2. Pajamas that are functional, not "Victoria's Secret"
3. Slippers that are "non skid"
4. A bathrobe that is comfy, and covers most...

I hit the outlets today with a patient friend. I must admit I took great pleasure in purchasing "Granny panties" that will accommodate postpartum requirements...and was lucky enough to find the perfect fluffy robe, and a pair of polka dot pajamas...complete with the whole button up the front thing that will be necessary for those late night, early morning breast feedings.

This is a picture of Gio's Dad's hands over Laur's pregnant tummy. I took this when she was about 6 months...a note to self that I need to take another...

As each day marches by, it is evident that Gio is coming...and today we became a step closer to being ready...

JFK

JFK

Some days my life is so confusing to even me, and some days it is so clear. My head seems to be on a little straight the past couple of days, though you might not see that with the hump in my back that Emily will fix tomorrow. Something about being on the East Coast makes me feel a bit more alive, and tonight as I sit at JFK in the 5ivesteak Bar I feel pretty happy.

This is a picture from the train that I took a bit ago...it continues to rain here...something that I have not seen in months, and escaping the heat of Sacramento has been great.

On a side note, my daughter phoned today...the first time because the house alarm was going off, the second time because she had just had another ultrasound featuring Giovanni...who as of late may so far be the most ultrasounded "Peterson/Bannon/Flores" in history. As she proudly reported that he has a heart, brain, 2 kidneys and a bladder (Yah!) it struck me as it has before that he is really coming. The Doctor said he was "long"...not really a Peterson trait (sorry Dad!) ... so perhaps he will be early (and healthy) arriving at Thanksgiving when Mogy is here...today I feel aware of how blessed I am...and that is a great thing...