Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Joe, Tom and I went over to Sarah and Dave's yesterday to spend some time with everyone. We did good sharing with Jackson. Yep, all of us took turns holding Jackson who settled into each of our arms with minimal disturbance to his sleep. Watching Jackson sleep I think I understand what people mean when they say they slept like a baby. Except for a few wrinkled brows and grimaces as he stretched and yawned, his little face was so gentle and peaceful. I wonder if babies dream? Davey asked me if Jackson has nightmares. I said, "I don't know."

Later in the afternoon, we went outside to play. It was a beautiful day and as we took turns pitching to the boys, we learned how good both boys are at hitting the ball. Below are some pictures from our day.

Grandpa Tom pitching to Davey

Joe pitching to Derek

Derek and Davey had a nice day playing outside

Mommy, Daddy, Jackson, Derek and Davey

Grandpa Tom Holds Two Boys

We went to the hospital to visit Mommy, Daddy and Jackson every day. The hospital hallways were just long enough to pretend they were speedways for Derek in particular. Grandpa Tom found a pretty fun solution to keep Derek from running and crashing and sticking close to us. Derek announced from his perch....."I am taller than Joe!" I love children!

I am taller than Joe

Grandpa Tom holding Jackson for the first time

Jackson Toby Gets Held And Held And Held

(To hear Child Of Mine by Anne Murray, click the play arrow)

Daddy Derek and Jackson

Derek kissing his new little brother Jackson

Davey holding his new little brother Jackson for the first time

Gramma holding Jackson while Davey looks on in amazement

Davey and Derek help feed and entertain Jackson

Joe holding Jackson with Davey close in hand

Jackson right at home in Joe's arms

Jackson's great grandpa holding him for the first time

I love you Jackson,

All my love, Great Grandpa June 18, 2008

And The Phone Rang At 4:00 A.M.

I was sound asleep when the phone rang. The words were out of my mouth before I even answered the phone. "Oh, my God!" I knew this was it! I knew he was going to be born before his scheduled time. He was scheduled to be born on June 23rd, and it was only June 18th. He couldn't wait. I told Tom, "This is it! Sarah and Dave are going to the hospital and we need to meet them there. I am going to go wake Joe and get ready to go!" It was 4:00 A.M.

Joe and I got to the hospital just as Sarah and Dave arrived. (Tom arrived a little later) Dave dropped Sarah off at emergency and I dropped Joe off at emergency so he could walk her to her floor. Dave parked his car and I parked my car. I was in the elevator heading up to the Maternity floor and saw Dave running down the hall. I held the elevator door for Dave and in minutes we were all together as it was confirmed that this was the time.

How does a person say what this moment is like? You wait and wait and wonder and wonder what this little baby is going to be like. We had seen the ultra sound pictures and video and this little baby had his own little presence before he even entered this world. Even in utero he had a peacefulness that could be seen and felt.

Grandpa, Joe and I waited with your daddy little baby until it was time for him to go be with mommy. And, it wasn't long until you were born! How very beautiful you were!






(Tom recorded gramma meeting baby for the first time)

Welcome to my world Jackson Toby!

The Castle In Eagan While Sarah Slept

The day after Joe arrived Joe and I went to visit Sarah and the boys. Sarah, being almost ready to have the next little baby (another little boy) meant she was off to take a nap, and that left Joe and me in charge of Davey and Derek. We had such a good time!

At one point in the day Davey and Derek decided to bring ALL the blankets and pillows from the basement upstairs so they could build a castle. Then they decided to add the blankets and pillows from their beds to make an even bigger castle. By the time their castle was built it was the biggest castle in all of Eagan! It was probably bigger than all the castles in Ireland too!

We learned that castles were not just for living in or looking at. Oh no! We learned that castles were for jumping in going as fast as a little boy can go. The boys took a moment to negotiate how they would do this (with a little help from gramma and Joe putting down some guidelines).

It was decided that each boy would take a turn and the next one couldn't run and leap and land in the castle until the other one was up and out of the way. That worked pretty well for a long time and it was so much fun! Joe's and my job was to keep the castle fluffed up and plenty soft for the landings.

It was a great day!

Derek and Davey negotiating the plan

Davey taking his turn

Davey going faster and faster

Davey going in for the landing

Derek approaching the castle with his sunglasses on his head

Derek wearing his sunglasses for added effect

And, Derek heads into the castle

Believe it or not, Mommy slept through all this fun. She got a nap and Joe, Davey, Derek and I got to have a lot of fun. I am not sure who had the better day!

Joe Is Here

Our friend, Joe from Ireland, is here. He arrived Wednesday night at 10:34 p.m. amidst the threat of high winds, rain and hail. But, just as the mail arrives regardless of the weather, so did Joe!

As Tom and I drove to the airport to pick him up we seemed to be right ahead of the storm and Joe's plane seemed to land safely right after the storm had passed. He noticed no unusal turbulance and in fact pretty much slept through the excitement and concern Tom and I had on the ground.

All I know is it was wonderful to see him and we found each other with the use of our cell phones. We easily got his luggage and were home by midnight. Joe had been up and traveling for 24 hours by the time we settled in for the night.

Yesterday Joe and I went to visit Sarah and the boys which I will post about later today or tomorrow. We had a wonderful day! This morning Joe and I will go out to Chaska and pick up my dad and take him out to lunch. I learned he had surgery on a tooth yesterday and is still on a somewhat soft diet. He thought it would be ok to go to Perkins and just eat the pancakes and skip the bacon today.

So that is it for now! Welcome to Minnesota Joe! We are so glad to have you here. We love you!

Oh Hail!! Just A Little Excitement On A Saturday Afternoon

Yesterday started out as a really beautiful summer day. It was 77 degrees, blue sky and huge wonderful white clouds. We have waited a long time here in Minnesota this year for spring to arrive and walk us into summer. Yesterday felt like the first REAL summer day to me.

I was out and about for the afternoon and about three hours after arriving home I was sitting in my basement talking to Joe in Ireland and his niece, Maria who is visiting him from London, and out of the blue I heard sirens going off.

I looked out the window and the sun was still shining, the sky was still blue and the clouds were still floating lazily in the sky. I wondered what was up and why was I hearing sirens?

Tom came to tell me that a storm was rapidly approaching our area. (It was coming right down the road I had been on three hours earlier). There was wind, rain and hail. I turned the TV on and saw that our county was in a tornado warning.

Usually you can see these things coming. Usually there is a change in the way the air feels, the sky gets green and there is an eerie and ominous feeling. Not this time! I gathered my things that I like to have with me in case of a tornado....my purse, some cash, my phone, bluetooth, phone chargers and of course my ID.

Within minutes the hail starting pounding the house. Some of the hail was an inch to an inch and a half in diameter. It lasted maybe ten minutes and when it was over the decks and yard were strewn with hail and leaves and twigs and little chunks of wood. Below are some pictures of the front and back of the house and one of the big balls of hail. I have also included a video that Tom made while it was happening.