And then there were nine!

Maia Claire has arrived! She was in a great, big hurry coming four days early and giving her mother only 3 1/2 hours to get used to the idea that it was her birthday. Another beautiful grandaughter...Maia makes three in a row now, one every year for the last three years. I am so blessed! Maia is a gorgeous, raven-haired, lusty girl who seems (at least at this early stage) to have a very mellow demeneur. She seems quite happy to let her older sister be the "drama queen".

I got the phone call from Alexis at 5AM on Tuesday, the 8th, and was on the road by 6 headed to LA. I wasn't even halfway there when I learned that Maia had arrived. Though I was disappointed not to be there for the birth, I did get there in time to help with Sofia that afternoon and evening, and the next day until Alexis and Maia came home. And then I got to stay for another nine days! I did so love being with the family watching the new life unfold. There were lots of comings and goings. Geoff arrived; Geoff left; Erin arrived; Marc arrived; the Hillmans came to visit; Marc left; Erin left; Shelden and family arrived; I left. Through it all Alexis and Chris were gracious and grateful hosts happy to have so much family around them to share in this joyous event. I don't know that I would have been so mellow.

So now I'm home and I think about how their lives have changed with this new addition and I wonder who Maia will become, what she will look like in a year, two. It's all a mystery, the whole wonderful process and I am proud to be a little part of it. Happy Birthday, Maia! Love, Grandma

February, 2005

So one month done in 2005, but this month is going to be one of the best this year, I know. Alexis and Chris are due for their second baby in just 5 days though in the bet pool I said it's to come tomorrow, the 8th. I've got my bag packed to take off the minute I hear labor has begun and will try to keep Sofia happily occupied while Alexis and Chris work on pushing that new little bundle out into the world. We don't know whether it's a boy or girl (that hardly matters at all!), but we do know it's fair sized already, well loved already, and a welcome addition to the clan. I hope it's a boy. We need more boys in the family. Logan at age 13 has been the only one for long enough and after three grandaughters I'm ready for some little boy antics. Don't get me wrong. I love girls. I had three daughters and wouldn't change that for anything. I wanted all three of my pregnancies to be girls. I just felt I was better equipped to be a girls' mommy. But now that my daughters have become mommies I am perfectly comfortable being a boy's grandma. They are all so cute and loveable. I'm very proud of my girls and their children.

And then there are the other grandchildren that Marc brought along with him. Again, a boy and three girls. What a copy-cat! They are gorgeous and so special. I loved them immediately; they are open and loving and bright and challenging. It's a kick to talk to them and we miss them as they are not close by and we can tell by our phone conversations they are growing up daily without our being there. But they are good kids and their parents have done a great job, too. My fantasy dream is to have everyone close by, but my dream more likely to come true would be to buy a house or cabin or condominium where we could all meet for family gatherings and relax and play, eat and drink, have serious talks, or not. Someday...Marc and I are working on it.

We were in Lake Tahoe for the weekend and looked at a timeshare and it's a viable possibility to achieving that dream. It's a big step for us so we'll be cautious. Tahoe is beautiful this time of year and it's also beautiful in the summer and with this particular timeshare you have the option of exchanging with any of 1800 affiliate timeshares all over the world. That is very appealing. We both love traveling.

Watched the Super Bowl at my sister's with 8 televisions and thought it was an excellent game. I was rooting for the Eagles because Erin is in Philly and they gave the Pats a run for their money, for sure. When you aren't being asked to root for your favorite team (GO RAIDERS!), it's much easier to watch a game and be objective. I liked the half time show with Paul because he is of my generation and I grew up listening to the Beatles. All in all it was a great weekend. Next time I write, I'll fill you in on the latest grandchild. Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day to all lovers.