On a happier note...

Our little sweet smiler. Cooing and smiling...

Yesterday, my grandfather died. He was almost 86 years old. His birthday is June 30. Deathday is May 29. I have always been close to him. His wife, my grandmother, died 9 years ago August. We had a lot in common, he was a pilot, and I think he loved that I was flying. He always liked to tell me stories of the flying and war, and how when the war was over AA offered him a pilot job. My grandmother said he had been gone enough, and that he should take another job in Paris.
He was so generous and so thoughtful. My mom was born on Christmas (hence the name Carol) and so he "gave" mom his birthday. Every June he would give her a gift, and tell her Happy Birthday. Maybe I should do that for her this year?
Mom is in Paris and she was able to see him before he died. He told her he was so happy to see her and that he loved her. Same with her brother, Mike. Mom said it was like he was waiting for them to say goodbye. How sad, I know. But also very comforting. Closure was not really there when my grandmother died, so I know she is glad that she had some with her "daddy".
I called him Softhair. He was also Grandaddy, and Papa. He had a little dog that gave him sooo much joy. TJ. TJ is going to live with my great-uncle. I am hoping that he will bring Ralph joy. Sometimes I wonder if dogs grieve. I think that they do, they must know that something is different. The memorial for Col. Dean Aikin will be tomorrow afternoon. I know it must be so hard for my mom to go through all of his belongings and have to take care of all of these things. A sad, sad trip down memory lane, I am sure.

Oakley Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Free genealogy - Geneology

Grandear and Gates. Mallie and Gates... Do we look alike??

ChaCha (Aunt Terri) and MawMaw came for a fun visit.

Soft Hair

My grandfather is out of the hospital... He is feeling pretty good. Yesterday, while still in the hospital, he shared with my Uncle Mike, that Carol (my mom) was pregnant. This is kind of sad, but also funny. When my mom went back up to the hospital he told her that Mike just would not believe that she was pregnant. Mom just said she told him, "Daddy, I am 65 years old!!!!" I guess he smiled a little, but he seems to really be looking forward to his new "grandchild" He is at home now and feeling good (and more lucid)

it's a girl

Well, it happened yesterday. SOme lady called my beautiful baby girl a.... boy. :(
I will NEVER dress her in yellow again.

We had a most fabulous playdate. I am so glad that Gates has some friends. I am even more glad that I have some friends that get what is going on in my life! How selfish of me, right? I am so pumped that we get to have another get together in June!

I just went to James Avery and visited. I picked up some engraving that was done. I also knocked a gift out of the way for my sister in law who is graduating high school (not from JA, just in case she is reading) Now, I need a gift for a dude that is graduating from HS and heading to A&M (God bless his soul). Any ideas for a boy grad gift? I also need some 1 year old birthday gifts. Any ideas on that? Maybe some books?

It has been six weeks (almost) since I gave birth, time to start dieting. I am not too concerned with my weight, but I would like to fit into my clothes. I mean I can not afford to buy an entire new wardrobe. Maybe someone will sign me up for What Not To Wear as a mom who let herself go. :) You know, my cousin's wife went on that show, her students nominated her...

I am sooo pumped about the holiday weekend. 3 days of baby help from baby daddy! We are going to Granbury Monday so Gates can meet her great uncle and great aunt. Brandon is going to play golf with the old men. I think that is pretty much all we have going on.

My grandfather, SoftHair, is back in the hospital, keep him in your prayers please. I was so looking forward to introducing him to Gates today, but he has an infection and I did not think I should expose her to it. I hope he gets well soon, so I can take her to Paris to meet him. I know meeting her will cheer him up. Afterall, they have the same hair style...

Gates's hairstyle.

Soft Hair's hairstyle. I call him that b/c he has always had a buzz and it was soft and I liked to rub his hair when I was tiny...

"Nobody puts baby in the corner" hence the sad look.

Keelan thinks this is funny!