In Washington, DC

November 09, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

Greg took us to Springfield to catch the train south, so we got to play a bit more with Simon on the way. We had a seven hour trip to DC, but it was comfortable and fun to watch the scenery . It was also interesting to go by train through all the towns and cities. Many tracks go through old parts of town, so although those areas are run down, they show what the town was like in the past.

 It was lovely to have Anna waiting for us at the train. She has a small but very pretty apartment right across from Howard University, so it feels like the University district in Eugene. She also has a knack for interior decorating, and as they used to say, "She has the place fixed up real cute." I can tell how happy Bob is to see her. They are planning some curtain hanging and picture hanging projects.

Meg and Dick are visiting in Washington, and we all arranged to meet at the new apartment of Mekayla and her friend Stephanie, where much moving in, picture hanging, etc was ongoing. Callie and Will were there, and I got to see Baby Nat for the first time. He's nine months old, and except for the age difference, he and Simon are surprisingly alike. Mellow guys. Nat, like Simon, likes everyone he meets, and they both are relaxed and cheerful. Nat looks like Callie around his eyes, but both boys have open, attentive faces.

Leaving Dick and Mekayla to work on furniture repair, the rest of us headed for a walk in Rock Creek Park; this is a beautiful park, originally a big farm. Unfortunately, we just got started down the path, when I caught my foot on some crumbled asphalt and face planted. I got a nose bleed and a couple of scrapes, but doggone it, I was traveling with my family doctor. Meggie's medical skills are justly praised, and she very efficiently figured out that I didn't need to go to the ER. She took me, Bob and Anna to Anna's house and patched me all up. She then very sweetly sat and visited with me for a long time.  Tomorrow, If I'm feeling up to it, we'll go over to Callie and Will's house for breakfast. Missing you all, but having fun seeing all the East Coast fam.

Farewell!

November 09, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

What a wonderful time we had in Massachusetts! Bob kept fantasizing how we could get Seraph and Robbie to move there and rent a room in their house. Or rent a pied a terre in Greenfield.
Obviously he was quite smitten with Simon, as am I. It made me wish I had been a stay at home Mom, or at least a stay at home Grandma.

It was really interesting to watch  him learn new stuff. At the beginning of the visit, he could reach for things by sort of flailing his arms in the general direction of the object, but by the end he had learned to co-ordinate both hands to grab something.  Also, when we got there, he had one noise, a lovely little "coo coo" but the day before we left, he began a new sentence. He repeated, for nearly an entire day, a sound which made him sound like a small engine with creaky gears. Best of all, the night before we left he only woke up once, around midnight, to eat.

So we really had fun, not just with Simon, but with Sadie and Greg. They are excellent parents, and Simon is the most good natured kid. I said I have only perfect  grandchildren, and it's true.

I'm going to post this, then post a follow up, since I'd lost a draft.

Wonderful holiday!

October 31, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

Bob and I are seeing the best of Simon and the best of New England. Like my other seven grandchildren, Simon has only a best side.

Greenfield is a small town, which may have had a growth spurt in 1902, when the Lunt silverware factory opened here. The town is full of fairly large houses which look like Sadie and Greg's, nearly all of which are well maintained - and white. Sort of like the Island of Santorini, without the bright blue roofs.

It's really fun to see Greg in the house husband role. Right now, he and Simon are sitting on the couch, as Greg sings early Motown to Simon, accompanying his IPOD.  Simon seems entranced!
Greg takes him for a long walk for his morning nap.

It's Hallowe'en today and I'm sending lots of good thoughts for great trick or treating. Sadie and Greg definitely have it all together.

Fun in Greenfield

October 29, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

Hi, all.

We are just finishing a wonderful day with Sadie, Greg and Baby Simon. First of all, we had a fine trip back. No delays, no lost luggage, no plane repairs. Greg met us at the Hartford airport, which is about an hour from their house.

This morning we moved slowly - no surprise - but had a nice walk a few blocks to a coffee shop, looking at all the huge late 1800's and early 1900's houses. Greenfield has 1bout 17,000 people, apparently about the same number as it's had for the last 100 years. I bet it hasn't changed a whole lot during that time. Sadie and Greg's house was built about 1900, on a spacious lot with a huge oak tree. It has a basement 1st and 2nd floor, and a finished attic,  which Greg uses as an office.

We came back from our walk to find Greg raking leaves and Simon happily gurgling away on his blanket. We had a fine time playing with Simon while Greg raked. I am even more determined to smuggle funny boy back to Oregon; Adam suggests we try carry-on. We would all have lots of fun with the current model of The-Best-Toy-Ever line of gifts!

Anita's Death

September 14, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

Sad news about Anita

September 09, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

About four or five years ago, Anita had some problems with an "attack" of cancer. I say "attack" because they caught it very quickly, and she responded well to chemo. The chemo was successful,
and it seemed she was cured, or at least as much as anyone is cured with cancer.
When she mentioned last winter that she was taking chemo again, she was very upbeat about it, and implied it was just preventative. Even when John called while we were in Alaska and said she was in the hospital, he said she had just had a bad reaction to the chemo. But Johnnie called me on Saturday and said they had all misjudged the seriousness of the situation, and what they thought was just a bad reaction was really a rapid virulent spread of the cancer. The doctor said that the chemo had stopped working and there's not anything to be done. When I talked to Johnnie, they were in the process of setting up hospice and hoping to get her home from the hospital. The doctor gave her two to four weeks.

I would like to go back to see Anita, but I'm not going to make plans until it's clear that I won't be in the way.

I would be so grateful if any of you could send her a card. It's Anita Milosovic, 17533 Heather Lane, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477.  She has always been so welcoming to me, and she and John have been really nice to Bob, as well.

Maybe I'll just look at pictures of Simon and the other grandkids.

Homeish

August 28, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

Wanted to say a bit more about  the trip. Jenny, Jeannie, and Jordan went on a bear watching tour, and a whale watching tour as well as an excursion to see sled dogs and play with puppies. Dez, Sam and I took a helicopter to the top of the Mendenhall Glacier and went on a high lakes canoe trip, took a trip to totem village and the boys visited a glassblowing studio and made ornaments.
Both boys had fun, I think. Every evening they joined a gang of kids and hung out 'til the wee hours, but got up cheerfully the next morning for the day's activities.
So it's home for me! Hugs from Mom

Home again, again

August 27, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

It's been a busy happy summer. I'm home again from the Alaska cruise. I've just handed over the baby car to Dez to take his girlfriend Peighton to the Oregon State Fair. I think he and Peighton went to the State Fair with her family on their first "date" and he wanted to take her there while it's on this year.
We had a wonderful time on the cruise to Alaska. Somehow we avoided the rain on all our stops. All six of us went on the White Pass train ride in Skagway, which is really impressive. Alaska is a lot like Oregon but bigger, higher and colder. The train was built to carry would be gold miners to the Yukon Territory during the Gold Rush. I really enjoyed the Alaska history - from the First People totem poles and exhibits to the early boom towns. We visited Ketikan, Juneau, and Skagway in Alaska and Victoria on the way back.
Have to go to a meeting. Mo' later, Moe (an Aunt Barney humor)!

Home Again

June 21, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

I got in safe and sound, but then had a bout of either Airplane Throat or a delayed version of the Plague which visited Adam's household. Feeling much better now. Sooo hard to leave Simon. Joanna, I know how you felt about having only a fleeting few days with your nephew last summer. Yayoe, lunch seems like a lovely idea. Late this coming week? 

Good ole United

June 14, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

Why oh why do I ever fly United. Instead  of getting home tonight at midnight, I'll be home tomorrow at 10:30 p.m.. All's well here.

Life's a Bit Calmer

June 12, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

Since Simon got home, things are settling into a routine. Simon eats, pees,poops, and sleeps, pretty much in that order. Notice that I didn't put crying on that list, though that certainly occurs, but mostly just when he has a burp. Most of the time he's just a sweet little ball. Sadie takes to motherhood as though she were born to it.
Having told you how good Simon is, I guess I should add that there was an hour interlude after that first paragraph in which a very sleepy Sadie tried to catch up on lost sleep and Seraph and I entertained Simon, who was in fine spirits and tried out his bink, along with engaging in his new favorite hobby, looking at the curtains.
On the issue of Binks - I really do think they're fine in the first few months, when the sucking instinct is so ingrained with the sense of survival. Cultural trivia - back in Appalachia, when I was a kid, they'd soak a cloth in sugar water and give it to babies to suck - called it a Sugar Tit.
The Home Health Nurse came by on Monday and pronounced him healthy, and at his first pediatrician appointment was on Tuesday, he'd gained 3 ounces in a day.  I think if he keeps up at that rate he'll weigh 60 pounds when he's a year old.
This has been every grandmother's dream, not just having a new baby, but getting to spend real time with Seraph and Sadie. I wish you all could be here to enjoy this time. Love to all, Mom

Busy Days

June 11, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

I have no idea how I'm actually going to leave this beautiful little boy in three days. He is so sweet;
though it may seem so since it's 11 years since there was a teeny tiny person around the fam. Yesterday the Home Health Nurse came by, and today Simon had his first pediatrician appointment.
He gained three ounces between the two weigh-ins, which seemed generally satisfactory to everyone. Sadie and Greg were pretty darn amazing in the delivery room. Simon was born natural birth, with no drugs, and Sadie and Greg were so prepared that they just powered  right through.

The hospital was very good, and they checked out around noon on Sunday. And the only problem is that suddenly I can barely keep my eyes open. I'll post more tomorrow.

Poor Sadie

June 05, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

Though Sadie scorns pity, it's hard not to feel bad for her. Simon is really a pretty big bump by now, though no one is worried or talking about inducing the baby's birth. He is just going to show up when he shows up. In the meantime, Greg is doing an amazing job of organizing the details of the hospital logistics, as well as organizing their moving plans. Sadie  had an appointment at the hospital this morning and Seraph and I walked down to Harvard Square. We all met for lunch, and hanging out. Jenny, thanks for calling. We promise to keep everyone posted.

No baby at this house!

June 03, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

Seraph and Sadie are chatting about rehabbing old house and Greg is home from school and working outside.  The weather is spectacular and the neighborhood is nice. But Simon is nowhere to be seen. Sadie has another OB-Gyn appointment tomorrow, but I think that the baby is illusory. I think it will be like one of those tabloid stories like, WOMAN GIVES BIRTH TO 49 POUND GROWTH. Please think positive thoughts!

Where's that baby?

June 02, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

Well, it can't be too many more days, as it"s 6:40 a.m. and Sadie is mopping the kitchen floor. Actually, the real challenge at this household is that June 25th is the day they move to the new house, baby and all. Adam, wasn't one of your postings when Emma was born about Sam's commentary on her birth, "Pushing the baby out"? I think Sadie's ready for "pushing the baby out." As an after thought, I should add that Greg is a very nice guy.

Lohring, what was .... ?

June 01, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

the period of time called before the sailboat races started, when we jockeyed for the best starting position but the starting gun hadn't gone off yet?
Sadie and Greg are in that "run-up" phase. Everything is done. Bags are packed and there's an air of happy expectancy in the house. It's clear and sunny but not too hot.
I've enjoyed a couple of nice long walks; Friday evening we all walked down to the Square for dinner. It was cool and misty, and the square was crammed with college kids, cheerfully celebrating the tail end of the school year. Imagine First Friday Art Walk, with ten times the people squeezed into the same area.
Last night we went to a small gathering of folks celebrating the household joining of one of Sadie's friends from Brandeis and her girlfriend (also a Math teacher.)
Simon was pretty bouncy on Friday, but a little quieter yesterday and today. I'll keep you posted. Love, Mom/Sue

Counting the time.

May 31, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

I'm here in Sadie and Greg's sunny living room with her friend Carly Bruder, who is Seraph's stand in if Simon arrives before Seraph does. Except for the fact that Sadie looks as though she's hiding an exercise ball underneath her smock, she seems cheerful and not in pain. (Okay, maybe not comfortable, exactly, but not "in pain." ) She really does look lovely, with no large patches of weirdly colored skin, or bizarre puffiness. Carly seems very good at keeping her distracted, and they are discussing the backgrounds of the various X Men characters and their many powers. June picked us up at the Washington airport and drove us to her home in Maryland. We left the next morning at 5:30 a.m. and they dropped me off at the Pittsburgh airport and continued on to the Allegheny College 50th class reunion in Meadville. It was such a treat to talk with them.

Springtime

April 07, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

We all had a delightful Sunday afternoon soiree at Yayoe and John's new house! As always, Yayoe's good taste (and John's, too) is obvious, with light wood, simple lines, and lovely lighting throughout. They think the house is small, but good planning has provided three bedrooms, a wonderful loft office, and still leaves a spacious feeling.

It's Baby Year - Callie and Will's baby is due in the next couple of weeks, and of course Sadie and Greg's baby has an ETA of less than two months.  I don't know if anyone remembers Dick's and my goddaughter Naomi, but she and her husband are expecting as well.

All is well here.

Far far away

January 14, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

This is a cheerful winter, getting to think about a new baby in the family, though Berry and Duncan were pretty close to babies when we met.

It's not been so cheerful to think about Aric being in Thailand with all the political unrest there. He says he's not in any danger, and I'm sure the school where he teaches in Bankok, which is attended by kids whose parents are wealthy, is more or less safe.

Here in Oregon, we're fairly respectful of Mom Nature and the occasional volcano, sneaker wave, or sudden mountain snowstorm. To the same extent, there are probably countries where people learn to take palace coups, student revolts, and random army takeovers in stride.

The weekend at the Coast was fun!

Midweek update

January 09, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

Enjoying all my Christmas gifts enormously this year. Adam and Joanna, I really like the navy blue scarf. I went shopping at Loft and found a great navy blue long sleeved t-shirt and a smashing chartreuse cardigan. "Very St. Tropez" as the fat lady said to Sadie while Sadie tried on sunglasses.
I'm trying the third recipe from the new cookbook. Good old Martha...the recipes are easy and tasty.

We went over to see Yayoe and John's condo. It is very very nice, and doesn't need much more than a bit of Yayoe's good taste to be quite homey.

I'm going to the Sylvia Beach Hotel with my book club this weekend. It will be rainy but fun. I'm taking the Men of Salt book, which I have been reading in spare moments. Your friend is a good writer, and I've found it engaging and informative without being pedantic. Much love from mom

Happy New Years

January 02, 2014 by Sue in Wielesek

Kitty sitting Peija is easing the sadness of sending Sadie, Greg, Seraph, Robbie and Isa far far away. And Anna is sitting here tending to Peija's every whim, of which he has many, while Bob and I watch Stanford implode at the Rose Bowl.

Christmas was so great for us, and I really appreciated both the effort that our out-of-town folks made to come so far, and the effort that the
Oregon residents, including Bob and his fab crab dinner, made as hosts and hostesses. Thank you, too, Anna and Lohring, for getting the food for the elegant spread at Jenny's house.

It was really fun to see Sadie's little Sputnik. For those who are fans of the space exploration programs, Sputnik is Russian for "fellow traveler", the name of the first satellite  ever launched from Earth, in 1956  or 57 I think.

I tried to send your packages to Chimayo and Cambridge yesterday afternoon, only to find the Post Office closed. It's just as well, since this morning I found a white, size small, sweater in Anna's room. Whose? Let me know, and I'll tuck it in.

Many hugs to all, Mom and Bob