In Which Papa Meets Josie

Just in time for the one-month-mark, Papa got to meet his newest granddaughter.

An old pro at holding girls, he hasn't lost his touch - Josie was perfectly content in his arms.

She Has Eyes!

This is pretty much the life of our little girl.

She wakes up long enough to eat and goes back to sleep

(we've even had a few 7 hour night stretches!!!)

But, lo and behold,

one day she woke up and opened those eyes, and it was a pretty sight indeed.

"They Love Her"

Like clockwork, I can count on the following conversation when out and about:

1:  "Oh, after four boys, you have a girl.  You must be suprised!"

2:  "What do they think of her?"

To the latter I dutifully reply, "They love her" which is the expected answer and also happens to be the truth.  (Secretly, I want to say, "They really think Hamills only come in boy models and want to send her back.")

The conversation then flows into how she'll either be a tomboy or extra girly;

she'll never have a boyfriend because of all her big brothers;

she'll keep the boys in line;

she'll be so spoiled.



Time will tell about all of that - for now it's enough to know she's loved.

Real Friends

I answered the phone, and the caller announced that she and her hubby

were bringing dinner and staying to eat, too.

For once I didn't panic.

Our house wasn't neat as a pin and I probably hadn't showered, but I knew she didn't care. 

She knew our dirt (literally and figuratively) and we knew theirs.

Nothing to prove, no false face to put on.

They simply wanted to spend time with us and the kids.

A quick swipe of the toilet, fresh cut flowers from the yard, and a pitcher of tea

to complement hot dogs and baked beans in the company of friends.

It was a lovely way to spend an evening.

Siblings - The Uncut Version

I admit that I am jealous of the picture-perfect family.

It is not us.

On more than one occasion I have issued the helpful directive:

"Smile or I'm going to spank you!"

It's not very useful in producing the desired effect.

Sometimes it's best to just stand back and see what happens.

Real personalities come shining through.

Natural smiles are captured,

snatches of laughter and glee.

Nearly perfect....

and then the moment passes.

Mayhem begins.

One kid without shorts, one rolls his eyes,

one gesticulates with his hands, and the girl turns her head.

We're losing it.

He finds this all very amusing.



They give up and so do I.

Photo Shoot

Scene 1: Content Baby

Scene 2: Enter Bruiser

Scene 3: Bruiser hugs the baby

Scene 4: Bruiser wants to kiss the baby

Scene 5:  He's almost there!

Scene 6:  Success!



What a boy!

It Balances Out

Right?

In Which Nana Dotes on the Baby

There's just nothing like having someone else around to coo over your baby...

except for when said person also leaves with three children in tow for a week of adventure.

Thanks a lot, Mom!

Stuck With You

Yes, it's true (yes, it's true), I am happy to be stuck with you,

'cause I can see (I can see) that you're happy to be stuck with me.

(Josie's a big Huey Lewis & the News fan)

Boys at Play

While I've been busy relishing the decidedly more dainty, feminine side of life,

the rambunctious boys have been busy with their own pursuits.

It's a win-win situation for everyone.

Gulp!

I can't believe she's a week old.

Orientation

Bruiser of the Soggy Bottom Boys and Fireman Small explain the rules to the new kid in town.