Playtime

I totally love this picture of Maggie Grace during tummy time! Tummy time isn't her favorite thing in the world but if I plan well we can get in a few pleasurable minutes a couple of times a day. We usually due about 10 minutes first thing in the morning while she's in a great mood. That is when this photo was shot. In fact Debbie took it this past weekend when she and Stephen came in town and kept me company while Ben was gone to a NASCAR race. We had a great time, as long as we weren't in the car. Maggie Grace really doesn't like the car, in fact I would go so far as to say she hates it. However, she does love to shop! She is so incredibly happy whether we are at the mall, Target or grocery shopping, it doesn't matter.

Monday was my birthday and so we went out to lunch and then to Babies R' Us. We had a few things we needed to pick up one of which was a special surprise for Maggie Grace. A Rainforest

Jumperoo! She absolutely loves it. It was such a special birthday, watching her play her heart out.

Yesterday we took her to the doctor. Yes ,I'll admit it was an unscheduled appointment. Anyway, she weighed 11 lbs 1 oz. That is a 7 oz gain in less than two weeks. No wonder the little girl was eating like nobody's business last week.

Not much on tap for the rest of this week other than play. For my birthday Ben gave me a book on all kinds of games to play with babies. Maggie Grace got a new book too, Mrs. Mustard's Baby Faces. She loves her new book. She smiles and kicks her feet and reaches out and touches the babies in the book.

In Memory of My Grandmother/In Honor of My Sister

Needless to say the past few weeks have been difficult. On August 3rd I received a call from Susan that our grandmother had been taken to the hospital. The docotor's and nurses didn't know what the problem was but whatever it was it wasn't good. Susan and I were in contact through the next few days. Then midnight Monday night I received a call that things were not good at all and I needed to get to Charlotte soon. Maggie Grace and I headed to Charlotte first thing Tuesday morning. When we got to the hospital it was obvious things were not good. The doctor had given my grandmother 24 hours to live. Susan, Daniel, Maggie Grace and I spent the day keeping my grandmother company and saying our goodbyes. A Hospice nurse came by to visit and said we could move her to a Hospice House. We told the nurse the prognosis and she said it would be best to keep her at the hospital. My dad offered to keep Mom Mom company for the night so Susan, Maggie Grace and I could get some rest. On Wednesday Ben came to Charlotte to spend some time with Maggie Grace which was a huge help for me. Mom Mom's still doing the same 48 hours later, man she was fiesty. We talk it over and decide to move Mom Mom to Hospice House, with Mom Mom's fiesty spirit we could easily see ourselves hanging out at the hospital on Friday. It was a very difficult decision for Susan and I, but the best decision we could ever make. We finally arrive at Hospice House at midnight on Wednesday night. As soon as we get to my grandmother's room we start crying because it is so beautiful and peaceful, we'd made the right decision. When we talk to the nurse while getting Mom Mom situated the nurse tells us she thinks our grandmother has maybe 48 hours to live. Susan and I just look at each other and smile.

Thursday morning starts fresh and free. It feels like such a burden has been lifted from our shoulders when we visit Mom Mom. The staff is doing everything to make her feel as comfortable as possible. Meanwhile we set up camp, Susan and I laughed at how every day we would add a few more "neccessities" to my grandmother's room. We spend Thursday, Friday and Saturday keeping my grandmother company. We decide to go to church on Sunday and to lunch before heading to visit Mom Mom. Not long after we get home we get a call that Mom Mom's breathing was labored and we should head over. They were going to give her some medicine to help her but it might cause her to relax enough to finally let go. In fact that is what happened, she decided it was finally okay to go. It is bittersweet, we love our grandmother dearly, she was our closest connection to our mother and now that is gone. On the other hand she had led a wonderful life and had lived to the ripe old age of 95. We are going to miss her incredibly, who she was before the alzhimer's, fun-loving, a wonderful cook, loved style and fashion, and loved us with all she had. We will love her for who she became after the alzheimer's set in. Susan was such a wonderful granddaughter, visitng my grandmother every Sunday even when my grandmother wasn't the nicest of people. Without her I don't know how I'd have made it through the past three years. I am the luckiest sister in the world!