Thursday, January 07, 2016

All Good Things

Three weeks in Eugene! (Or 2 and some change?)

During one week we had all nine of our children in the same city (and Izaak and Dakota make 11) - with eight of them sleeping under our roof. It was an exhilarating week.  

All too quickly three male Gherkins departed the state.

And tomorrow - the traveling branch of the Gherkins will take off and leave three girls, a son in a law, a grandson, an expected grandblessing, a brother and his fantastic family,  a sister, a cousin, nieces and nephews, and a set of parents.....

We have lived FULLY the past three weeks. We've had Gma and Gpa over for dinner many nights, we've attended several gift exchanges, met geocaching goals, gotten in person glimpses of our grandblessing, met oodles of the girls' friends, helped BreZaak move, helped Jared purchase a car, attended three local churches and now it's TIME. 


Time to pack away the memories and move into 2016....but first, tonight.....we'll make a couple of more memories at Krista and Arielle's home. 

Yes, this is one of two or three things I do really miss from our "Stick and Brick"  (S&B) home. I will store up the music and the memory and treasure it in the months ahead. 

We actually do have Snowboard Kids in the Caboose - but the chance to play with Krista and Arielle is fleeting.

 

I'm reminded once again of seasons....and the traveling Gherkins will be back in Eugene in April/May to meet our new grandblessing skin to skin. 

Shameless Granna

Oh the joy! Oh the possibilities. I am going to be shameless when this little princess arrives. Can you imagine the grandma's brag book I can compose on the blog????  Yeah - I know.

We met up with BreZaak at Daily Bagel today for lunch. Yummy food, fun conversation and eager anticipation.

Left - Stacia, Michael, Izaak, Bre, Nolan, Arielle, Alex (Zander)
For our next stop  - Bre's Doctor.  Isn't she getting so cute????!!!! I asked her if very pregnant looking photos bothered her (because I do have boundaries and don't post things family doesn't want posted)....they don't....so here is Bre at 26 weeks and 2 days!
26 weeks - 2 days - CHECK

They had scheduled another ultrasound today to get some better shots of our doll's heart.  They are allowed to bring two guests to the ultrasounds. Dakota went with BreZaak last time. They asked me to come this time. Michael said we'd stay up here for the appointment....then she called and said they'd given her special dispensation to let BOTH of us attend the ultrasound.  I planned on behaving. I planned on NOT taking photos in the room...but there she was.....our little blessing.

What can I say? I COULDN'T miss the opportunity to take my first photo of our grandblessing. Though I KNOW the ultrasound photos are clearer - here is a photo Granna took of her Granddaughter....the very first one......They didn't kick me out.

Granna's profile shot of Baby D

And here are a couple of ultrasound shots.....This one is looking up her chin and nostrils - not a flattering posture for any gal. Grandpa pointed out, and the boys concur,  she looks like the Emperor in Star Wars in this picture.

Middle - chin, mouth, nostrils, tip of nose
 This is a full frontal face photo - notice her cheeks are CHUBBY! Ah - I can't wait....so very kissable.

Face on - 
Bre dropped by this evening to deliver a gift Izaak had found for Michael. Isn't this great? They removed the jerky (which is on the Don't Eat Lest you Die list now that he's on meds) and filled it with mega stuffed Oreos.


 We've had a great visit with all the kids. We'll cherish the weeks we've had in Oregon. One last chance to hug Baby D......




but Michael cut out Baby D so we had him take another. LOL 

Tomorrow, we hit the road....back to the Caboose....which we are actually excited to see.