Day 1 LA

I love coming to see Joel!

Travel was uneventful except for Joel being stuck in traffic picking me up.  LAX feels like an airport in a foreign country with all the hustle and bustle and the variety of people.  It reminds me so much of the airport in Guatemala City.  

So we were facing traffic to get to Disneyland right off the bat after Joel had driven in horrible stop and go traffic from work, so we slowly made the decision not to go and to workon other options to get to Disneyland this weekend. Later we were glad we did.

So,first Joel shared that he is eating his version of the paleo diet.  Ha!  This is quite unique for my very non health conscious son.  So he talked me into a vegan Cuban restaurant.  What?  I ate fake chicken with potatoes and carrots and peas with rice and fried plantains.  Joel shared his delicious black beans.  It was all surprisingly edible!  

Then we drove through a whole bunch more traffic across familiar street names (from movies), Ventura, melrose, sunset, Holywood blvd.... Joel's apartment is a block off Hollywood blvd. on a cute wide street with palm trees and unique apartment buildings and converted homes.  Joel's house is very craftsmancottage style.  His apartment is in the back on the ground floor. It seemed small but very homey right off the bat but seems plenty big now because it is arranged perfectly with all he needs-- a decent sized kitchen and bathroom and closets, a sitting area, work area, and full size bed.  

So we went walking right off the bat down Hollywood blvd to get some things Joel was out of.  Hollywood blvd has coffee shops and restaurants and familiar places like petco and Marshall's. All with palm trees and lots of people, mostly normal looking and some quite unique, of all races and ages and socioecominc groups.  We went to a basic pharmacy place to get the supplies and saw these cool planters on the way back.

After settling in to Joel's apartment, we walked down to his favorite coffee shop, less than a block, and got some coffee (Joel isn't drinking coffee now!). It was open mic night.  I am telling you it was more entertaining than anything you'd see on tv.  First there was a comedian who read his jokes off his phone who wasn't funny at all.  The audience was so small that he kept reading and commenting on my facial expression!  There was a poetry reader and some not so great musicians then this big lady dressed in black with sunglasses and a hat, had them crank the volume and with guitar accompaniment she sang a ballad about growing up in Tuscan at top volume with lots of vibrato, not on key and complete with all the animal sounds, coyotes, rattle snakes, etc.  It was a trip.  Extreme entertainment.  Then there were rappers who were very energetic and very into it.  They reminded me so much of my students that I must have looked very encouraging because they commented on me liking it.  They were not very good but made up for it with their enthusiastic hopping around and gestures and style.  And how much fun they were having.

We returns to the apartment and watched glow on netflix and got a good night sleep.  Here is my quiet time place right in front of Joel's aprtment and we are about to embark on day 2.

More Emmett

I know that most of my posts are about Emmett lately, but I want to capture these special memories.

I went to spend the day with Leah and Emmett on Wednesday.  I arrived while Leah was still at work at Prairie Harvest and Dave was home with Emmett.  Emmett was cruising around barefooted in a big t shirt, diaper and no shoes.  He was curious when he saw me but shy.  He stood and moved his hands all over his head and wouldn't come to me.  I sat down on his little bench and just watched him and eventually put out my arms to him.  He ran to me with his arms up and cuddled up close, laying his head on my chest and letting me hold him for a bit.  So sweet.  

Emmett and I played for a bit then Dave left for work.  Emmett fussed a bit when his dad left but then got busy with his stacking toy standing at the coffee table.  Leah got home shortly after.

We dressed Emmett in a cute romper with no,sleeves that showed off his adorable little muscle arms. And little blue chucks.  We loaded him up in the stoller and walked over to Mojos for lunch.  Emmett ate his entire breakfast burrito sitting quietly in his high chair and looking around at everyone.  When someone new came in, he tilted his head so he could see who they were.  Leah knows quite a few people who all came over to,say hi.

Then I took the adorable video,of Emmett playing with his light up soccer ball, tossing it, waddling around, stooping to pick it up, then throwing it again, sometimes babbling.  

We loaded up again and walked home and he played some more then went down for a nap.  Leah pit me to work in her shop.  I printed off and cut labels and put the labels and stickers on blankets.  It is satisfying work.  

When Emmett woke up, we took him downtown.  We stopped at Etc. Shop and he enjoyed looking at the books and toys.  He picked up a stuffed animal and touched it's eyes then hugged it over and over and rocked it.  Then he looked at a book and carefully paged though it again and again gently.  We stopped at my favorite store Mainstreet and Company and I didn't buy anything!  Then we filled up my Kombucha jug and Leah got groceries at Prairie Harvest.  

I love going to Newton to see Leah which I did many many times before Emmett came along.  Now I get to see my precious grandbaby boy too.  

It's Emmett Time

I got to spend Sunday afternoon with Leah and Emmett!  I love his little toothy grin when he sees me even though he still is a little shy right at first but doesn't balk at coming to me.  First he showed off his new skills, standing for a long time with out holding on or wobbling.  And he takes a couple steps into his mama's lap!  He likes to walk around with me holding his little fingers and would even do it with me only holding one hand.  He will be walking independently very very soon.

We mostly played with all the toys he sprawls out all over the floor.  He will walk pushing a stand up toy, turn a couple pages of books, look at toys, bang toys, taste toys.  His favorite toy is a small remote that runs the moon on his wall.  He puts it in his mouth and keeps it there a long time pushing the button with his tongue.  He likes crawling with a toy over to a piece of furniture, climbing up, puts the toy on top.  He did it with a kitchen chair and then pushed the chair across the room.  

Emmett is a happy kid.  The only time he fusses at all is when he is hungry or sleepy and those are easy fixes.  When Leah was busy, I gave him a couple of snacks in his high chair.  She told me he isn't allowed to stand up so a couple times he got up on his knees.  When I told him to sit down, he didn't stand up, but he'd get really quiet and serious like he was thinking hard.  He knew what the rule is and followed it but he really wanted to stand up.

At one point, Leah had me take Emmet to their bedroom to see if he would rest with me. Not happening.  He climbed all over and tried to slide off the bed head first onto Moose.  I kept asking him, "What time is it?" Then pulled up my wrist so my iwatch with his picture lot up and I'd say, "It's Emmett time!"  He loved it and giggled hard.  

Emmett did take a short nap and while he did, I got to help Leah with her Lavendar and Clover!  I cut labels and put on stickers and even assembled  some teething toys.  

Emmett says a couple of words very clearly, mama and dada, hi mama, and a few words not so clearly, Moose, I love you, and banana.  

I love Emmett's giggle.  I love his two little teeth.  I love how tiny yet chunky he is at the same time.  

I made a video of Emmett saying shaking his head no.  I asked him to do it and he looked at me and grinned really big then shook his head no, wagging it back and forth.  

Rex's Health

What a roller coaster of a year!  

The day after Emmett was born, Rex had a stroke that made his back legs unusable.  I went home and took him to the vet in tears, sure I was saying goodbye.  The vet said, "you go take care of the grandbaby and let me take care of Rex."  When I returned, Rex came running out of the back only dragging one leg.  It took him about 3 days to regain the use of his leg, then he was fine!

A month or so later, shortly after I got home from work, Rex passed out then quickly came too.  I took him to the vet the next day and she said it was a heart murmur.    She said it then explained the stroke as related to heart disease.  

Rex has had many other episodes where he falls over, loses consciousness, sometimes twitches, sometimes screams, and almost always pees. It's pretty horrible to watch but it doesn't ever last long and within 15 minutes, he's his normal happy go lucky self.  At one point, the vet had us put him on low salt food and he almost starved to death!  There was another time he was pretty sick that I took him to the vet prepared to do whatever and he recovered yet again.  At that point, they said he has congestive heart failure.  

The last episode was a doozy.  I took him to the vet and she said his heart murmur is bad.  She said don't take him for walks, and try not to let him get excited. 

Last week Rex got pretty sick.  He was panting hard and coughing and didn't want anything to do with me.  So we had conversations and let everyone who cares about Rex know, and made two appointments for euthanasia, one with the vet, and then one with a vet who will come to your home.  I prepared myself and the kids as best I could but when I got home from work, Rex had regained his health!  He was breathing easier and followed me around happy as could be!  

This dog has more lives than a cat.  He currently has a cold, but I guarantee he will get over it soon.

Easter Weekend

No kids home this year but I was busy!  Saturday our church helped the Lions Club put on their annual giant egg hunt by providing additional volunteers.  They added bouncy houses, a pancake feed, and a bunch of other activities.  Adelle and I volunteered.  She got inside the bouncy house and wiped down all the surfaces after it rained.  Then she ran and got me pancakes about halfway through for energy!  For three solid hours, I helped kids get into and out of a bouncy house.  And tried to figure out Joe long they'd been in there and how to convince them their times was up!  There was a huge line the entire day.  Most kids were very polite and it was fun, even though it was also exhausting!

Then in the afternoon, we had rehearsal for the TRU choir!  I got my dream of singing on the worship team!  Sort of.  We had 7 people on the bleachers on the stage to back up the guest worship leader.  We had a very full worship band with two guitars, a bass and mom on keyboards.  Scott said he could hear the choir at all!  It was harder than I thought, too.  But fun!

Girls Night

I had the Homestead girls stay the night Thursday night and it was so fun!  We had group out on the deck then I fixed a yummy dinner, chicken fettucini Alfredo, salad, bread, and brownie all mode.

Left to right, Teresa, graduate Ashley, Amber, Alexis, hidden Veronica, and Samantha.

 Then the girls took turns soaking in the  spa tub which they said was a real treat.  We did a dance contest with the kinect and painted our nails and did some painting and some meditation using the muse.

 Then we lit candles and sat out on the deck and talked for over an hour and Teresa and I talked til almost midnight.  Some of the girls slept upstairs and some slept on the couch.  We got up in the morning and had cinnamon rolls and coffee.  After they'd left I got the sweetest text from Teresa telling me how special our talk was.

  Being involved with Homestead has been such an incredible experience.  I love them so much!  

Emmet

I am in love with baby Emmet.  It's so fun to see him change and grow!

Leah and David came Friday night after Emmett's regular bedtime.  He was grumpy and clingy to Leah and didn't want to say hi.  He laid down and slept all night--over 12 hours!   Saturday morning Leah and I grabbed some rare one on one time to drink coffee and chat.  When Emmet got up he was all smiles.  I love how he gets excited when he sees me.   Leah fed him and got him dressed while I got ready then we went to Target.  

Talking pics of Emmet really makes me admire Leah because it's harder than it looks!  He is always moving!  I had fun while pushing the cart and watching Emmet look around the store.  He likes to make sounds.  Once when he was being noisy, I leaned in and whispered to him.  He whispered back! Then I tried to get him to do it again and he got frustrated and balled up his fist and yelled loudly!   I don't think that Emmet's personality is strong willed but he is definitely his own little person!

Leah and I went to Target where Emmet enthusiastically chewed down half a blueberry muffin.  He picks up little pieces and crams them in his mouth then insists on water.  He doesn't use words but communicated his needs well.  

We then stopped by Vintage Round Up to drop by some of Leah's products for sale.  While there, Emmet waved at himself in the mirror then waved goodbye to the store owner!

Back at home, Emmet was pooped so Leah let me take him back to my bed to lay down with him.  He had a blast crawling and wiggling around and even managed to stand up a few times holding onto the blankets tightly.  He petted Rex a bunch.  But there was no sleeping to be had.  So he took one by himself in his crib.

Next stop was Hibachi hut for lunch with all four of us and Emmet.  Emmet ate cornbread and chicken nuggets and entertained us all from his high chair.  One of his favorite things to do is shake his head no.  And throw food on the floor.  At one point, he held up a piece of food in his tiny little fist and Leah said, "Emmet, do not throw that on the floor."  Emmet looked right back at her, shook his little head no and threw it anyway, only it hit him right in the head!

We returned home and let Emmet play some more between the couch and the ottoman, up down, sit, stand, throw toy, pick up toy, all the while making sounds and babbling.  

What precious good times and memories.  What will you be doing new next time we see you in a few weeks, baby Emmet?