Grandma Ida’s 80th Birthday Celebration!
We just got back from 4 days in San Antonio, Texas–add TX to the other states that Maria’s visited in her short 4 years (plus AZ, NM, OR, CA, HI, UT, WA–I think that’s it). My step-sis, Ellen, hosted us. Maria finally met her step-aunts & uncles and cousins. We mostly just sat around and ate, which is what we do best! Uncle Andy, Maria, Rosanne, Paul, cousin Amelia, & I went to the river walk, which is beautiful and fun, but not very stroller friendly. The ramps weren’t well marked and 2 places we had to carry the girls & strollers over bridges with many stairs. We had a nice lunch (where Maria had a mini-melt-down and didn’t want to take her medicine or eat much) and a nice walk. As she gets older, it’s a little bit more stare-provoking when she is stiff & fussy. But I suppose that’s the way it goes. The other thing I’ve noticed is Maria’s getting too long for the fold-down changing tables, which can be ok, but when she’s squirmy it adds a little extra challenge…
Maria’s grandpa (my dad) is getting more comfortable with Maria. He seems to bond with her a little more with every visit. She’s clearly taken by him, as well. He held her quite a bit this visit. But the biggest surprise of all was her cousin Michael. He’s 23, very intelligent and not afraid to show it, a bit aloof, but from the moment he saw Maria, he seemed interested. Finally, I plopped her on his lap. Unfortunately she was tired and stiff and cranky, but it didn’t freak him out; didn’t even phase him. I’ve never seen such a thing–not even from people who are used to special kids. Yesterday he held her and gave her a bottle, she was petting his beard and face and head. We all were taking pictures because it was just the most amazing thing. Between him & my dad bonding with the baby, it made the trip worthwhile. (and I think Ida had a nice time, too, since it was her party). Ida’s cousin, Julian, and his wife, Carolyn, were there too. Very nice, interesting people.
Dad & Ida are finally in their new independent living place, so things should settle down for them a bit pretty soon. They couldn’t have done it w/o David & Barbara helping them! Moving is such a stressful thing, even for young people.
Sue (nanny)’s mom has a brain tumor, so Sue postponed her surgery and is going to Hawaii for a month; when she comes back she has to have her surgery. Needless to say, we’re a little short on caregivers for a while. Manolis isn’t working, so he’ll shoulder much of the responsibility; Andy will try to work a bit more; and I’ll have to work at home more. I’m going to try and maybe find someone to fill in also, but it’s not easy to find the right person.
Laurie (reporter) forwarded me 4 more emails from people commenting on the articles, offering this, that, or the other. I need to call the walker provider (Preferred Homecare) AGAIN to see what’s going on with the walker, since she didn’t bother to return my call from Friday. For such a sweet, young, tiny little thing, Maria’s cutting quite a swath!!