I'm back....so much to say, so little time before my fingers get tired!

I'm not sure anyone had even missed my blog. But someone asked me when I was going to blog again because they missed reading it. Well, here it is.......for my one reader.

When I left off last October Elliotte was 3 months old and I was waiting for my next granddaughter, Leah Marie Robinson, to be born in December. Around the 1st week in November I developed an infection that needed an antibiotic. As usual, I went to my pharmacy and had my script filled and began taking the meds. After finishing the antibiotic, I began to have some stomach problems. At first we thought it was the flu. But as I continued to have vomiting and diarrhea, I ended up at the emergency room. They pumped me full of fluids, said it was a virus and sent me home. Two days later, after being VERY SICK, my sweet husband had to clean me up by getting me out of bed, putting me in his office chair and rolling me to our shower. I couldn't walk because I had no stamina, energy.....nothing! And John certainly couldn't pick me up or we'd both need an ambulance. He laid me on the shower floor, turned on the water and sprayed me off, toweled me off, combed my hair, put on my clothes then rolled me in the office chair out the front door, down the steps and into his car. Second trip to the emergency room and this time we told them it wasn't the flu and they better keep me. And keep me they did.......2 weeks!! During that 2 weeks I missed Thanksgiving (which was supposed to be at our house) and more importantly, I missed the birth of Leah Marie!! She decided to come early. One night I vaguely remember John telling me he was going to Baptist to be there when Leah was born. When he came back to St. Thomas after the birth, my first question was, "did they have the baby?" Next question was, "what did they name her?" Now keep in mind, I was on some very strong drugs that were making me forget things (which I was later told was a good thing). And some of what I tell you here is from my family, not because I actually remember it! Of course I knew her name was Leah but I wasn't myself at that moment. The next night John's family, from Atlanta here for Thanksgiving, came to the hospital to see me, or so I was told. I don't remember any of it. My doctor was a Hospitalist and very young. Every morning he would come in and ask me how many times I'd been to the bathroom during the night. Now if I don't remember my granddaughter's name or family coming to visit me, how in the world did he expect me to remember how many bowel movements I'd had during the night! I think he learned about bedside manor because my mother didn't mind telling him when he was asking stupid questions. :) I'm so glad I can't remember exactly what she said to him but I'm sure he won't forget it! So I missed the birth of Leah and being there for Clay. But Clay came to see me at the hospital and had his laptop with all the pictures from Leah's birth to show me. Somewhere around 200 is what I was told. Clay said he showed me every one of them. I don't remember. After I was weaned from the strong meds, I asked John why I hadn't seen any pictures of Leah. He burst out laughing then told me Clay had been there and showed me all 200 of the pictures the week before. I decided this must be what Alzheimers is like. In the end, the doctors decided the antibiotic I had taken must have had gluten in it. I never thought to ask my pharmacist about gluten in the medicine. But I do now because I never want to go through this experience again. Gluten is EVIL to a Celiac!! And John would probably divorce me before he would clean me up again!

one of the 200 pictures

After 2 weeks in the hospital, I came home. I was quite exhausted and couldn't do much of anything. I finally got to see and hold Leah for the first time when she was 2 weeks old. I'm so glad babies can't see at that age because Leah would have taken one look at me and screamed. I did look pretty pitiful but still had to have my picture taken with her. I asked Leslie to please explain to Leah someday why she was 2 weeks old before her Grandma Nonna saw her and why Nonna looked like a tired, old lady in the picture!

1st time to see Leah (I can't believe I'm putting this picture in my blog)

Beth had started her new job so I was to keep Elliotte 4 days a week. I was so weak I could barely get out of the chair by myself so my mother came everyday for the first week to help with Elliotte. Now she may say she was doing this to help me but she really wanted to spend time with her great granddaughter. She wouldn't let me do anything for Elliotte. I'm sure she told her friends that she HAD to help me out but what she was really doing was having a ball being with E. I'm so fortunate to have a mother that will take of me the way she does even though I came in second to the baby!

Today, I'm better. I'm keeping Elliotte on Mondays and Elliotte and Leah on Wed., Thurs. and Fridays. So far, so good. They are precious and fun. I've decided God gave me 3 children in 14 months to get me ready for 2 granddaughters, 4 months apart. God gives all of us talents. I think mine is loving grandbabies and giving them a good start to their lives. Plus I'm a cheap (FREE) babysitter! I haven't mixed up their bottles yet but I have called each of them the other's name. My grandmother used to do this with 11 grandchildren. We just learned to answer no matter who she called us. I'm just happy I haven't put one of them down and forgotten where I put them. As Elliotte and Leah get older and I call them the wrong name, they'll smile, correct me and then whisper how Grandma Nonna is losing her mind. What they don't know is my mind was lost a long time ago........back when I had 3 children in 14 months! Until next time.

Leah - 4 months, Elliotte - 8 months

The 4:00 a.m. Feeding and "Now I Understand"

I know it's been quite a while since I last posted. I've been busy with a little girl I call "my sweet pea." Beth has gone back to work and I'll be having Elliotte 4 days a week. Last week and this week are a little different because she hasn't started her new job yet with regular hours. So my schedule has been a little crazy!

This past Saturday was Beth's 31st birthday. I still can't believe it's been 31 years since she was Elliotte's age!! Time sure flies. But my body is telling me it's been more like 40 years! When I get out of bed, my knees creak, my back hurts and my hands are stiff. And that's just on the walk to the bathroom :) But when I'm holding my sweet pea and she smiles, I'm taken back 31 years and the feelings and memories all come rushing back through my mind. At least I think it's my mind. I'll admit that Elliotte looks a lot like Ben but when she smiles, it's "punkin' doodles" as we used to call Beth. I think of lots of things I used to do with her when she was a baby. Most of it was on the floor. I'm afraid the things I do with Elliotte will have to be in my lap or on the couch. My knees don't like the floor and it's not good to make my knees angry! Anyway, Beth and Ben wanted a night out for her birthdday that didn't include a 4:00 a.m. feeding. And Beth needed a full night's sleep since she had to be at the hospital at 6:30 a.m. Sunday for work. Beth was afraid Ben might have a little trouble getting himself and Elliotte ready for church, so Elliotte had her first sleepover at Nonna and Pops house. I was very excited about this. I was also apprehensive at how Elliotte would respond to this. But she did very well. She went to bed at 9:45 p.m., after her 6 ounces of milk, and slept until 4:00 a.m. It was just like the old days. I heard her cry and John said, "she's awake." Thanks for the news report! I said, "you could change her diaper while I get her bottle ready." "That's o.k., you're much better at that than I am." Yeah, just like the old days! It was really like getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, except you have to change a diaper, feed a baby, burp a baby, try to get the baby to go back to sleep and rinse out the bottle. That took about 45 minutes. My trip to the bathroom in the middle of the night usually takes about 3 minutes and I'm back in bed going back to sleep. This time it was harder to go back to sleep even though I was exhausted and had to get back up in 2 1/2 hours to get ready for church. When mine were little, I remember getting to church and sitting in the back so we could get up if one of them was fussy. I don't exactly remember how we got there, though. The babies were dressed and so was I so I guess the baby fairy came to help me back then. I couldn't find the baby fairy yesterday. She must have retired of old age! BUT we were dressed and got to church on time, even though sweat was dripping down my back and face, in 40 degree weather! Now John did hold Elliotte while I got dressed and put my face on (that I ended up sweating off). Otherwise, we would be getting to church about now. :) I also cooked dinner last night for the family to celebrate Beth's birthday. I usually do a big dinner with homemade cake but since we had Elliotte, we had spaghetti, salad and homemade cupcakes. That's all I could manage to do. And by the time we ate (5:30 p.m.), I was ready for bed!! Of course, no one complained that it was not the usual birthday dinner. It was a free meal so that was fine. And Beth liked her cupcake tower. Good thing, since I messed up the first batch of icing and had to make a second at 11:00 p.m. Saturday night. I finished icing the

cupcakes at 11:45 p.m. then went to bed.

As far as sleep, I'm not sure I got much. They say the older you get, the less sleep you need. Now whoever did that survey is AN IDIOT! And I now I know why God gives young people babies. The old joke is right, you lay the baby down and forget where you put her. Did I put her in the playpen or the baby bed? Oh yeah, John's holding her......his contribution to taking care of Elliotte.

I love my granddaughter with all my heart and I love keeping her. But when they left last night, I really didn't mind seeing her go home with her parents. I've had friends tell me that you have fun when you're with them, but you don't mind seeing them go home. I now understand COMPLETELY what it's like to be a grandparent!!

Until next time.......

Sweet cheeks, ham hocks and a turkey waddle

Yes, I know it's been a while since I last posted anything. Of course, the last one was all important because it was about Elliotte's birth. Now that precious little thing is 6 weeks old (it's moved too fast!) and there's more of her to love! Sweet, fat little cheeks, ham hock thighs and cute dimples in her knees. She's looking around trying to figure out what all the fuss is going on around her. The other day I was leaning over her and talking to her when she smiled. Now, I was holding her and she did NOT pass gas at that moment so it was a REAL smile. I got so excited!! As I sat there staring at her, I realized she wasn't just smiling at me, she was laughing! There was this big obscure object in front of her face and all she could see was this mound of giggly flesh (i.e., my double chin), a big mouth and big nose. Couple that with a little "baby talk" and I would be rolling on the floor laughing my head off, too. She's not old enough to be rolling yet but I do think she was laughing at me thinking, "Who in the world is this person that keeps talking to me while this blob of giggly stuff moves back and forth?! I sure hope we're not related because I don't want to inherit that turkey waddle and big nose. Wow, I'm not sure I know what a turkey waddle is yet, but it's got to be bad!" We have this mental telepathy thing going so I know that's what she was thinking in that gorgeous little head of hers.

I have been told by all the grandparents I know how wonderful it is to have a grandchild. And I whole heartedly agree........there's nothing like it in the world! You get to have this precious baby without the sleepless nights, crying fits, blowout poopy diapers, projectile spitup or having to lose the "baby" weight. We get her for a few hours here and there and may experience a few of these things but don't have to live with it every day. Except maybe for the "baby" weight which I'm still trying to lose. It's just been 29 years.....I set a goal of 30 years to lose it (the weight, not my mind). I only have a few more months before 30 years. I'm now thinking I may have to revise my goal and make it 35 years!

Elliotte and I seem to understand each other so I look forward to the times I spend with her. They are so precious and way too fast. And I'm enjoying my time with Beth. Beth and I now connect on a different level.......motherhood. It's a wonderful bond we now have. And I know all she has to look forward to with Elliotte in the coming years......all the good things with a little payback for the bad (i.e.,"Just wait til you have kids. I hope I live long enough to see your child put you through this!!")

Until next time, have a blessed day (as my dad says). May God smile on you today and everyday.

What a Difference a Day Makes!

After writing my last blog (July 30) on waiting for Elliotte to be born and everyone being patient, a funny thing happened..........she came the next night! Now Elliotte, being in the womb and all, wasn't able to read my blog about patience and decided she'd had enough with swimming in the amniotic fluid in close quarters. The doctor told Beth, the day before, that she would probably not go into labor on her own (even though she was dilated 3 cm.), Elliotte would be around 10 pounds and would more than likely have to be induced. I'm sure Elliotte heard all this and decided she was not going to weigh 10 pounds at birth and definitely not be delivered in a drug induced state! She already has her mother's determination (which is a nice word for stubbornness). Elliotte decided to show everyone that she was in control and did not want an August birthday. I'm sure she was thinking the ruby birthstone for July is much prettier than the green one for August (sorry to all you August people). So, breaking Beth's water around 5:15 Friday, July 31, Elliotte sent everyone into a little tissie. Thinking we all had several hours before her arrival, I was making phone calls, getting snacks and reading material together, applying waterproof mascara and putting the dinner into the fridge. Finally we were literally going out the door when Ben called and said, "She's dilated to 7 and you better get here quick!" Now remember Beth's water broke around 5:15p.m. and they walked in the hospital at 6:15 p.m. and it was now about 6:50 p.m. Rushing as fast as we could, we got to Baptist by 7:10p.m. I rushed in and no one was at the desk on the labor floor. It was shift change, just like when Beth was born. I found a nurse leaving for the day and told her my daughter was in labor and I needed to find her. She was nice enough to take me to the right place where I said my daughter's name was Beth Robinson. Remember I was in a little tissie and just forgot for a moment. When I said, "I mean Beth Miller" I was taken directly to her labor/delivery room. Beth's epidural had just been put in, after 3 sticks with the needle first, and she was in obvious pain (this was about 7:20 p.m. now). I kissed, hugged, kissed her again, then did the same to Ben. Here I was in my daughter's labor/delivery room about the watch my first grandchild being born. What a privilege and blessing that was. Ben went out to the waiting room to talk to his dad and others that had gathered while I stayed with Beth. She was still having pain on her right side while the left side was deadened. As the minutes went by (notice I said minutes and not hours) Beth continued to progress, so much so that the nurse called in every available hand and the doctor. Ben was back in the room now and Beth was still feeling pain on the right side and wanting to push. As the doctor came in and rolled his stool over to Beth, the right side deadened (thank goodness because she is such a wimp with pain!) He told her to push and push and push, etc. After about 15-20 minutes of pushing, Elliotte Lynn Miller entered the world at 8:19 p.m. on July 31. She weighed 7 lbs. 11 oz., was 19 1/4 inches long, had dark hair and Beth's pretty skin color. Oh yeah, she has a set of lungs on her, too! We are all overjoyed at her arrival and that she is a healthy preemie, almost 4 weeks early!

Today, everyone is doing well. Elliotte is nursing well, after a few days of not quite getting the gist of it and she's a good sleeper. Beth is feeling wonderful after feeling so bad the last 2 months. Ben is the proud daddy and loves "his girls" with all his heart. Elliotte is peeing, pooping, wiggling, crying and she has quite the temper when she's ready to eat. This is were she opens her mouth and the face turns red/blue but no sound comes out for a few seconds and you want to yell "BREATHE!!". Then the high pitched scream comes out and you wonder how that piercing squeal could come from someone so tiny. I have had the honor to be with Elliotte everyday of her life so far. Today is my break to get things done at home but I am missing her so that it makes my heart hurt. I know when I see her in the next few days, she will have changed so much. How fast time flies when you are having the time of your life! John and I are thankful to God for Elliotte's safe arrival, a healthy baby and mother, a proud father/son in law and for our hearts full of love for this child. I will continue to pray everyday for Elliotte and her parents and know one day she will learn the story of her birth and be thankful to God for her life. And friends, please indulge me as I will be showing pictures of Elliotte to anyone who asks.......and even those who don't!! God bless you all.

Hurry Up and Wait Syndrome

Why is it the things we want the most seem to take forever to get? It's the "hurry up and wait" syndrome. If we really look back and think about it, time goes by faster than ever now. But I know Beth and Ben (and us) are in the hurry up and wait portion of Beth's pregnancy. Today, the doctor told Beth and Ben that Elliotte is about 7 1/2 lbs., Beth is dilated 3 cm. and probably won't go into labor on her own. Next week the doctor will set up a time for Beth to be induced during her 39th week, about 3 weeks from now, unless Elliotte decides she's ready beforehand. As much as Beth wants Elliotte to enter the world now, it's the hurry up and wait syndrome. I know Beth is exhausted, feels lousy, has to go to the bathroom every 10 minutes, her waddle walk is even more a waddle, can't sit and can't sleep. And we all keep telling her to enjoy this time because it won't be this quiet again! You want to hurry up and get through this last part of the pregnancy so you can be holding that precious baby in your arms. As much as I want to see my first grandchild, I want Beth and Ben to enjoy (or at least tolerate) these last few days/weeks because she will never have a first pregnancy again. And she and Ben will never be just Beth and Ben again. They will always be a couple, but now they will be going by other names. They will be Elliotte's mom and dad..........the Parentals! Even when children are grown and gone from home, you're still their parents. Your life takes on a different meaning. You now are not only responsible for yourself, you're responsible for another human being. Your life will change in just a few minutes, from a couple to a family. What an awesome responsibility!! And one God wants Beth and Ben to have. These last few days/weeks before Elliotte's birth will be the "hurry up and wait" kind. But I for one can tell you, the wait is worth it! And in the future, when you look back on these last 8-9 months, it will seem like they flew by, trust me. Life has a way of "hurrying up" even when we don't want it to. God is in control and everything will fall into place as it should be. Next time you're wanting things to "hurry up", remember life goes by in a flash. Enjoy every moment you are given and praise the Father for each one.

Beth and Ben Miller, The COUPLE. Stay tuned for a picture of Elliotte, with MOM and DAD, whenever she decides to make her appearence!

Girl x 2

Well, I'm sure most of you know by now that Clay and Leslie are having a girl. Needless to say, I am EXCITED! Now Elliotte will have a cousin to grow up with and become great friends and share secrets and all the things girls do. Her name is Leah Marie Robinson. Clay made it known early on that he was only having boys.........but God decided to bless him with a girl! Leslie said when the ultrasound showed it was a girl, the first thing he said was, "I knew it." Yeah, right. I think it took him a few hours for all this to register. But Leslie said when they got home the first thing Clay said was, "Leslie, we have to pay for a wedding now!" Leave it to Clay to be thinking how much this precious little being is going to cost him. The problem is, he really doesn't have any idea. I do hope and pray I live long enough to see this child married. I will be sitting in my "grandparent pew" smiling, watching Clay sweat as he brings Leah down the aisle. He will be just like John was with Beth. "This is the budget and we're sticking to it!" That budget went out the window after the first week of planning Beth's wedding. Clay will tell Leslie and Leah the same thing. My advice to them will be tell Clay only on a "need to know" basis. In the end, Leah will get the wedding of her dreams because her daddy will give her the world if she asks for it. Daddies and daughters have a very special bond. Elliotte and Leah will see their daddies as HEROS and that's the way it should be when they're growing up. My daddy is the best and he never laid a hand on me or my sister. He always made my mom do it! He's still my hero who can do no wrong. Elliotte and Leah will feel the same about their daddies, I'm sure. The first time Ben and Clay see their little girls in the hospital, they might as well give it all up because the daddies will never be the same! Those precious little babies will have their daddies wrapped around their fingers with their first cry. I wish I could explain to Beth, Ben, Clay and Leslie the feelings that will happen to them when they see their child for the first time but I'm not sure I could. It's just so magical and wonderful. And besides, they need to experience it for themselves because there's nothing like it.

They will also need to remember those first moments when their precious little one does something really bad! That's where I come in because I get to say, "I've waited a long time to say this, it's pay back time!" Then I get to laugh because I know it will happen again. And the thing I look the most forward to is SPOILING THEM ROTTEN, then sending them home! What a great feeling that will be. Isn't there a law written somewhere that the purpose of grandparents is to spoil their grandchildren rotten? If there's not, we grandparents need to draft one into law. I also think there is a law that says children can make their parents crazy as long as they provide a safe, padded room to put us in. At least that's what our children told us. I did ask for a room with a view and my padding to be blue. If you're going to be at the funny farm you might as well tell them how you want your cell decorated. I've dreamed of mine often. It has blue padded walls with little rose buds and a window where I can see the birds. Now my straight jacket has to be by Ralph Lauren because his stuff fits me nicely and I guess I'll have to have the tennis shoes with the velcro tabs since they won't let me have laces. Now I know you're thinking that I've raised my children, they're all grown and I haven't been put in the padded cell yet. Well, there is no time frame for children driving their parents crazy. Just in case I don't need my padded cell, it will be available for Beth, Ben, Clay or Leslie to use. I'm putting that in my will!

These little girls are going to be such blessings to John and me. All our grandparent friends have been telling us that there's nothing like it. And God is good because He is going to let us experience it for ourselves. And I'll still have the padded cell just in case things get crazy!!

Take care and may God rain blessings on you!

Lawnmowers and Fireworks

I am proud to announce that NASHVILLE LAWN EQUIPMENT (NLE) on Thompson Lane is now open for business!! It is run by Kyle and Clay Robinson (with help from John sometimes). There are a lot of lawnmowers to choose from. I never knew there were so many different kinds of lawnmowers, weed eaters, chain saws and the like. The main brands they carry are Hustler and Ferris lawnmowers, Shindaiwa and Kawasaki equipment. I'm not sure what the difference is but I do know that Hustler is yellow and Ferris is red! There is also a nice man in the service building that works on everything. The boys have even worked on a few mowers themselves. This has been a long labor of love to get this business open and running. Kyle put in a tremendous amount of time towards getting it open. Clay worked hard too in his spare time (he had another job at the time). And John did his usual "dad work" of whatever was needed. Now that NLE has opened, Clay has left his other job and is working full time with Kyle. John works as needed. The boys are fortunate to have a large group of friends that are in the lawn care business and are helping to get the word out about NLE. Of course, they can always use help in getting the word out. So if any of you reading this knows of someone looking for a lawnmower, weed eater, etc., tell them you know of a wonderful new place that can accomodate them! Below is Kyle helping a man with mower tires and Clay helping a man with a mower.

FYI: Nashville Lawn Equipment -

602 Thompson Lane (across from Weight Watchers) -

phone 891-1306 -

web address http://www.nashvillelawnequipment.com/

The day I was at NLE making these pictures, the man in the picture above with Kyle made a comment. He had been outside where Clay was, asking about replacement tires and Clay sent the man inside to talk to Kyle. The man came inside and commented to Kyle, "You look just like the guy outside that sent me in here!" Kyle commented, "Yeah, I get that alot." I started laughing and the man looked over at me and I said, "They're a matched set. I gave birth to them." Then the man said, "Are they just alike?" Again I was laughing and said, "Sometimes, sometimes not." I took that as my cue to leave since both boys were busy doing their jobs. I am so proud of Kyle and Clay and pray everyday that God will bless them in this new adventure.

Now to the Fireworks. Clay, Leslie and Leslie's dad, Bill Barron, are running a fireworks tent in Springfield. Mostly, Leslie and her dad are doing the selling. Clay is only there on some nights and weekends. The decision to do the fireworks tent was made BEFORE Leslie found out she was pregnant. But I have to tell you, that girl is a TROUPER!!! She is there everyday working in the heat and has not complained once that I know of. Unlike Clay who complains that it's too hot and he's already tired from his real job.

I didn't realize how much work goes into one of these tents. There is a lot of work to setting up and then taking down. And I didn't know there were so many different kinds of fireworks!!!

But when John and I went to visit, Leslie was rattling

off all these different names of fireworks to this man and little boy. I was very impressed. Leslie and her dad have equiped the tent with chairs, fans, a TV and DVD player. At least they can watch movies during the slow times. And Bill Barron has spent almost every night on a cot in the tent. There is also a small refrigerator with drinks and snacks for them to have. And behind the tent is the necessary "port a potty". Doesn't that sound like something you would want to do for 2 1/2 weeks being 18 weeks pregnant? Not me!! As I said before, Leslie is a trooper and Clay is very blessed that she is his wife.

Just in case you're looking for fireworks and you happen to be traveling through Springfield, their tent is off I-24 (towards Clarksville), get off at the Joelton/Springfield exit, turn right and go 8 miles. The tent is on your left just past the BP Gas Station. Clay will be working Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If you have trouble finding the tent, just follow the voice that will be complaining about the heat and having to work on his long weekend off. You should have no trouble finding it!! Good luck, Leslie, Bill and Clay!!

God bless everyone and have a happy, safe 4th of July!!