Darlene's Blog 2011

Sunday, June 12, 2016

January 2016--A New Year Begins

Owls bought January 29-same day as new shoes!

Willow napping

Lyla asleep at our house

Playing "Candy Land" and "Shoots & Ladders" with Papa

At Let's Play

At Chuck E. Cheese

Happy Willow!

Sisters in Lyla's bed

Waking up Saturday morning at Granny's

BFF Madi's 5th Birthday Part

January 26-over 3 months old

Beautiful Willow

Sometimes it’s hard to realize it’s actually 2016. If my Father, James Henry Hastie, was still alive he would be turning 100 this year. And “just yesterday” it was Y2K, which was unexpectedly uneventful! On Monday, January 4 Lyla played with Maggie Rae & Eli at our house. After Wayne took them to Tuscaloosa so they could ride home to Starkville with cousin Vann, I played with Lyla then took her to eat at Taziki’s and spent the night at Lyla’s. Tuesday, January 5 was “back to school” for everyone. I stayed at Lyla’s & Willow’s until Friday and then took Lyla to our house until Sunday afternoon. The usual daily routine was to help Angela with Willow & often take her on a walk. We went to the “people” & the dog parks & all around Mt. Laurel. And in the afternoons I would get Lyla at 3:00 pm at school & go to Mt. Laurel park until 5:00 pm. Except on Tuesdays when we had to leave at 4:00 pm so Brock could take Lyla to ballet lessons. Thursday January 7 I went to the pediatrician with Angela & Willow because Willow had some blood in her stool which will necessitate a change in her diet. Although relatively minor, it’s still tough to have anything out of the ordinary happen to a baby! Lyla got sick during the night Thursday & stayed home from school Friday. Unfortunately she also got sick at my house on Saturday while eating a Ritz cracker in the bathtub. I’m writing this in June and Lyla still occasionally mentions vomiting the cracker…usually when she notices the Ritz cracker box in the pantry. She has not had any more Ritz crackers at my house! January 8 began the routine of Lyla spending almost every Friday night with me & sleeping with me on our sofa bed in the den. Fortunately she always sleeps well. Saturday, January 9 was the first time Willow had a bottle because that was Angela’s first day back at work. On the way home from my house on Sunday Lyla & I stopped at Chuck E Cheese & she had a great time. I love to watch Lyla interact with children she doesn’t know & get them to play with her. She is a little shy but also very outgoing & loves playing with other children. Monday, January 11 Alabama defeated Clemson to win the National Championship & on Tuesday, President Obama delivered his last State of the Union Address. Angela & I watched his inaugural address January 2008 in my office at UAB. A lot has happened since then! On Thursday I went to Lyla’s classroom to read with the children. I enjoy doing it every month & seeing how Lyla’s reading skills are progressing. I also took Willow to breakfast with me at Jimbo’s restaurant in Mt. Laurel. After spending the week at Angela’s, Lyla & I went to my house Friday, January 15th. On the way home we stopped to play at Chic Fil A and then had a wonderful evening at Let’s Play. Saturday we played at my house & had supper at Taziki’s before taking Lyla home & staying to hold Willow until Angela got home from work. Monday was MLK holiday so I returned to Angela’s Tuesday and stayed until Friday…helping with Willow until time to pick up Lyla at 3:00. On Friday there were snow flurries! Lyla went home from school with Madi where she had a great time until I picked her up to go to my house. These snow flurries were the only “winter weather” in 2016! Lyla spent Friday & Saturday night at my house & we went to Madi’s birthday party at “Head Over Heels” on Sunday afternoon before I took her home. I stayed at Lyla’s again Monday-Friday with generally the same routine of helping with Willow during the day & going to the park with Lyla after school. Although I never get up with Willow during the night, it is easier to sleep at their house & be rested to help the next morning. After school Friday, January 29 I took Lyla to buy new shoes & then went to the toy store where she played a long time…and bought 2 new owls (see picture above). Saturday was our last January day together and we went shopping at Sam’s, had grilled cheese sandwiches & milkshakes at Johnny Rockets, got a book on Chinese New Year for “share” at school, visited at Kristen’s house where we picked up “bouncy walkers” for Willow, went to Let’s Play then had supper at Taziki’s and then I got to hold Willow while Brock got Lyla bathed & ready for bed. Then I went home and spent the last day of January without Willow or Lyla. How lucky I am to be able to spend so much time with these precious girls & watch them grow. It is also wonderful to watch what good parents Angela & Brock are. I’m grateful for my years at UAB so I could afford to retire and not work anymore when Willow was born!

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

December 2015-The last month of a wonderful year

A beautiful "jacket day" at the park with Lyla & a cute picture of Sisters!

Lyla sick. To MD. Painful finger stick! Willow on playmat Lyla had...the tune it plays will always be in my memory!

A lapful of granddaughters! Lyla in her new Frozen Castle

2 December birthdays-Angela 36 & Brock 41

Christmas Eve in Mobile-Cousins & Great-Grandmother

Willow 2 months old

December 2 I took Willow to Jimbo’s & walked inside & outside while Angela rested and Lyla was at school. After school I took Lyla to Georgia Nicholson’s birthday party at the trampoline place. Georgia is a year older than Lyla but in her class & a regular “park buddy” and friend. The next day I went with Angela and Willow to UAB where Angela had a MD appointment. It was fun to take Willow back to the place she was born. I had a nice afternoon at the park with Lyla & spent the night again at Angela’s. (It was also the day of the San Bernadino shooting by a husband & wife at a holiday party!) Friday was Angela’s birthday. After a morning with Willow we got Lyla at school & shopped for Christmas presents for the girls at Toys R Us. Monday, December 7 until Friday Lyla had a fever & stayed home from school. Brock continued to take a day off each week to help with the girls and I had a day off Tuesday. Because Lyla was still sick on Thursday I took her to the doctor. She was upset about a finger stick but happy to not have a throat swab! Although not a fun thing, it was sweet to take Lyla to the doctor. One of the special things I get to do with her. Friday was a beautiful day & Lyla went back to school & I took Willow walking & then after school took Lyla to the park. During the week of December 14 Thursday was my “off day”. The other days of the week were “routine” but still very special with helping with Willow until time to pick up Lyla at school followed by “park time” with Lyla. Friday, December 18 was “pajama day” at school and Lyla’s last day of school until January when she will start staying at school until 3:00 pm every day instead of just 2 days a week. She is growing up! On Sunday, December 20 Angela, Brock, Lyla & Willow came to our house to open holiday presents & have Mexican food for lunch. Annie the dog stayed with us because Angela, Brock and the girls were leaving for Florida December 22 to visit Nitza & Koplan. My year with Lyla & Willow ended on December 21. It was a rainy day & Lyla & I played at her house then went to Chic Fil A where there was a big group of kids to play with after her milkshake! Then we went to Let’s Play and had a great time before dinner at Taziki’s then home by 6:30 pm. Wayne & I went to Nashville for a wonderful visit to see Abigail dance in The Nutcracker then we went home for the night before going to Mobile for Christmas. Jacob rode with us & Wayne made a trip to Demopolis to drop off Jacob for a hunting trip and then met Kristina & Frank and Maggie Rae & Eli and me for church at Springhill Baptist followed by family dinner at the Waffle House & presents to open under the beautiful tree at Mother’s home at Crowne Assisted Living facility. We had Christmas dinner at the Garvers. Mallory & Josh and Myles were there as well as Sara Garver & Becky & Dave. December 2015 was almost over. It was a wonderful year!

November 2015-A lot to be thankful for!

Willow with Elsa (learning about sisters!) and 2 beautiful sisters!!

Mt. Laurel Park swing after school & Willow's Room- Lyla 4 yrs 2 mos; Willow 1 month

Pizza with Cousin Abigail

Nov 23 Day at the park 1-5 pm!

Beautiful Thanksgiving Day at The Club with All of Stuedeman Family & Willow in her bed

November 2015

I am writing this in June 2016! It is the first time I’ve had enough time at home to dedicate to updating my blog. Because I have challenges uploading pictures from my phone to computer then to the blog, it requires some dedicated time…and it seems I’m busier being retired than I was when I was working! Because Nitza came to visit I had a few days at home & also went to visit my mother in Mobile. I also went to the gym for the first time in a month! It was good to “catch up” but I must admit I missed being with Lyla & Willow! (In the news: the suicide bombings in Paris & several home break-ins in our neighborhood.) The week of November 16 Kristina came to visit Angela & the girls for a few days but Monday-Friday I was with Willow during the day & Lyla after school. (Only stayed overnight one night.) Willow & I went on walks which some days included breakfast at Jimbo’s or lunch at Pizza place. Also I carried Willow around the house in the Baby Bjorn a lot while she slept. It felt good to have her close. I had wonderful afternoons with Lyla at the park. We often stayed from 1-5 pm and she always seemed to have fun playing with lots of kids. And amazingly the time seemed to fly by. In January Lyla will start staying at school until 3:00 pm everyday which will be a change, but it will be a part of getting ready to start kindergarten next year even though she won’t turn 5 until September 17. Lyla’s school is great for her and she is learning so much. It is fun to watch her mature & learn things. I bought a new car seat for Lyla; she is growing up! The day before Thanksgiving Lyla went to see the movie “The good dinosaur” with me & and Kristina & Frank & Maggie Rae & Eli. We had lunch out & went to “Let’s Play” and then Lyla spent the night at our house with all of the Brown & Green families. Abigail was wonderful playing with Lyla & Eric ordered pizza for everyone. It was special to have them all (except Willow!) together. Lyla slept with me & Wayne which meant I didn’t sleep a lot! We had Thanksgiving Dinner at The Club where everyone in the Studeman family was present. Jodie lamented later that we should have made a group picture because it probably wasn’t going to happen again. She was right…we missed a great opportunity. The weather was great even though the food wasn’t that good. The kids enjoyed being outside & the view was beautiful. Afterwards the Brown family and Lyla & I went to the Peanuts movie then I took Lyla home. Saturday the Greens & Browns left & Sunday the dog came home from the vet and Thanksgiving was over! On the last day of November I went to Willow’s early am & enjoyed my day with her until time to pick up Lyla and go to the park. When I dropped off Lyla at 5:00 pm I was grateful for the time I was able to spend with all of our family this month of Thanksgiving. There are many things I miss and adjustments I’ve had to make as I’ve stopped working. But my new opportunity of having 2 granddaughters living in Birmingham and being able to be a part of their lives on a regular basis is priceless. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Monday, November 2, 2015

Willow & Lyla...Sisters!

First time not afraid of Chuck E

Willow arrives! 12:15 pm October 16, 2015

Mr. Laurel Fall Festival Oct 17

Mommy & Willow Home!

Big Sister Lyla!

Little Sister Willow

Willow Looking at Granny

Last Day as an Only Child!

Sisters!

Birthday Party with Famous Sister Elsa

Willow in her room!

October 13...tomorrow evening Angela & Brock will go to L&D at UAB where Willow Anita’s journey into the world will begin. Lyla will become a big sister! Their family will grow and things will change. I’ve spent the past few days catching up on pictures and doing a lot of house cleaning! I’m not sure exactly what my role will be after Willow arrives, but I’m looking forward to it. Since Willow will be the younger sister she will have the same role in the family as I had as a child. Lyla will be 4 years older and my sister Linda was 5 years older. Since Angela was an only child this will be “new territory” for me.

October was a busy month! It was the first month I didn't work at least part-time since I began working full time in 1973. But more importantly it was the first month Lyla became a big sister & Willow was born. October 2 I went to the pediatrician with Lyla & Angela where Lyla got 5 shots! I stayed with Lyla Oct 2-3 weekend while her mom worked & her Dad went on overnight camping trip for the last time for awhile! October 9 was a part of "Fall Break" & the last day Angela worked for a few months. I took Lyla to Chuck E Cheese where, for the first time, she was not afraid of Chuck E & posed for pictures with him! I went to Lyla's Wednesday afternoon before her parents left for the hospital. Although Angela started labor Thursday morning Oct 15th, Willow didn't arrive until 12:15 pm Friday Oct 16. I think she was waiting until Lyla was out of school. Lyla was very good while they were gone...didn't even complain too much while I washed her hair for the 1st time in a long time! After school I took Lyla to the hospital while Angela & Willow were still in the room where Willow was born. It was very sweet to see the family of 4 for the first time! Friday night Lyla & I watched the movie "Frozen" together and she sang along & danced to the songs. Very appropriate to watch a movie about sisters who love each other on the day Lyla became a big sister! Saturday was the Fall Festival at Mt. Laurel. It was a beautiful day & Lyla had a great time. On Sunday Willow & her parents came home. I stayed at their house until Wednesday. It was wonderful to hold Willow & see Angela & Brock continue being such good parents as their family has doubled from one girl to two girls! After 2 nights at home I met them at the photographer studio on Friday the 23rd (Wayne & my 22nd Anniversary). I was so glad I got to watch the Rotter Family at the photographer's. I know the pictures will be awesome. It was touching to watch the four of them interact & pose & so obviously love each other. While I was at their house it was special when Lyla would hug me good night & knock on my door to say "good morning". I had a lot of opportunity to hold Willow. She is calm & beautiful and has big eyes...and looks a lot like Lyla at the same age (Lyla on the Right below) One of the fun things Lyla & I did was go to Zarrah's birthday party at "Let's Play". We arrived at 1 pm & stayed until 6 pm! Lyla ran & played and had a great time...periodically coming back to where I was sitting to "touch base". I enjoy watching her interact with other children. After her friends left when the party was over, she continued to play with other kids she didn't know. Lyla has good social skills! Monday after school Lyla & I went to Chic Fil A for a milkshake. After she played for a little while we left and sat in the car while it rained & read some of the books she got that day at school...Scholastic books I had ordered for her. It felt good to be relaxed & not in a hurry to go somewhere & just enjoy the moment of being together. Lyla is very close to being able to read herself. However, hopefully it will be a long time before she won't want to be read to. But maybe a short time before she is reading to her sister Willow. Wednesday Lyla had a fever & her Dad took her to the doctor. Sabba Raffi came to visit & bring Halloween treat bags for Willow and Lyla. I stayed until Lyla went to school Thursday then returned Friday when Angela & Brock went to the Halloween parade at Lyla's school. Lyla was a beautiful Cinderella! And then I went home after Safta Nitza arrived on Halloween Day. The first month of life with Willow is already over! I'm going to visit my Mother for a few days while Nitza is in town. After I get back from Mobile & Nitza returns to Florida & Brock is back at work (his first day back is today, November 2), I am looking forward to helping with both Lyla & Willow as this new phase of life begins! I look forward to returning to "my time with Lyla and Willow".

Monday, October 5, 2015

Lyla is 4 & Waiting on Willow (Part II)

Today has been a challenging "computer day" for me! We have finally moved to Windows 10 & it seems to have some incompatibilities with my blog. After I uploaded the pictures I couldn't add the text, so I made the pictures one blog & text another. Since my last blog you & your Dad joined me, Maggie Rae & Eli at Johnny Rockets for lunch then shopped for toys for each of you at Toys R Us. You each had a specific amount you could spend & it wa interesting to see how a budget can have an effect on spending choices! I took you to school for the 1st time this year...the 3rd August to start at Hilltop! You are learning at lot at school. We have had several great afternoons at Olmstead Park. It is always a joy to watch you playing with other children & seeing how your "playground skills" are improving. You can now swing high all by yourself! Your mom's friends gave a shower for baby Willow Anita Rotter who will be arriving very soon! As I looked at the new chair in her bedroom it reminds me of the many times I rocked you in your chair. I'm looking forward to her arrival & moving into the wonderful bedroom waiting for her. You are going to be a great big sister! You came over to visit me & Wayne September 5. We found a huge "mushroom" in the yard! I went to visit my mother for the last time before Willow arrives. I don't want to be in Mobile & get a call to come back to Birmingham to be with you while your Mom is in the hospital! Due to car trouble in Mobile I decided it was time to get rid of my 14 year old Honda Accord with 206,000+ miles & get a new one. It will have more room in the back seat for you & Willow to ride. On September 17 Wayne & I joined Nitza & Koplan at your house & celebrated your 4th Birthday!! Your parents fixed a delicious dinner & birthday cake. Then on Sunday we went to your party at the Zoo. There were a lot of kids there & the weather was great and everyone got to feed a giraffe. Now when I stay with you on school days I take you to school & you stay until 1:00 Monday, Tuesday & Friday and until 3:00 pm on Wednesdays & Thursdays so some days I'm not really with you very much. I haven't been with you on Tuesday Ballet Days yet. But I'm looking forward to seeing you dance! Recently there have been workers repairing miscellaneous things at your house. You've lived there almost a year & soon the warranty will be running out! October 2 I went with you & your mom to your 4 year old check up. You got 5 shots!! We went out for a milkshake afterwards to try to compensate for the pain & reward your good behavior. Your Dad jointed us there. October 3 I came to stay with you while your Dad went overnight camping/hiking for the last time until after Willow arrives and is no longer a tiny baby. You happily waited for your Mom in her bed with me where you were allowed to sleep since your Dad was gone. You were very happy to hear when she was on the way home (one of the pictures above). Other than going outside for a short time we just stayed in the house & watched TV and played in your bedroom. It was a very nice time with you. We won't be waiting for Willow much longer...she should arrive October 15...less than 2 weeks away.It's going to be fun to see how you adjust to being a big sister...and I will have the opportunity to spend time with her as well as you. It will be exciting to watch. I hope she's as sweet & pretty & smart & kind as you are. I've never been a big sister. You will have to let me know how it is!