I’m not sure I’d ever have what it takes to be a photographer. Oh sure, many people comment on the pictures I take with my phone and post on Facebook, but they are far from professional.
There is a local photographer close by that has never disappointed us with her photos. She took Ella’s First Birthday pictures, Andrew’s helmet pictures, and recently Andrew’s First Birthday pictures. Her name is Beth and she owns Enjoy the View Photography.
I am always amazed when I look at the pictures she gets. I know the chaos that was happening when the pictures are being taken, yet she is able to grab that perfect split second in time that makes it frame worthy.
For Andrew’s session, she set aside some time for us to get a few of both kids and the family. The autumn colors were not at peak, but the outdoor photos still look fantastic!
She got pictures of the whole family sitting, standing, with Ella on my shoulders, and more. It is hard to pick a favorite and which ones to put on canvas.
Then there were photos of the two of them together. Some truly amazing shots of them sitting, but the one that both Sam and I love is them running from the camera.
There is one of Ella grabbing Andrew and hugging him that makes me laugh …
…and one that makes me tear up….
Beth got a couple solo shots of them, which wasn’t easy with Ella. She was way past being done, however, there is one that just came out perfect…
…my favorite solo picture of Andrew captures him in all his sweetness…
We headed inside to get birthday and cake pictures. Again, Beth was able to get these split second moments perfectly. Andrew was not really about sitting still, but you’d never know it by these pictures.
As far as a cake “smash,” we didn’t really get that for pictures. We got some at home on his birthday, but he was just to careful during the photo session. It was almost like he was saying, “I’d rather not make a mess…”
My kudos again to Beth and Enjoy the View Photography for these wonderful pictures which we will look back and enjoy for years!
Yesterday was the perfect fall day, although chilly. We have a membership to the Children’s Zoo and knew that around Halloween they did Zoo Boo. Originally, we had planned to take the kids up one weekend. However, with all that’s gone on in the past week, and with the colder temperatures, Sam suggested just taking Ella for some one-on-one time. It was going to be too cold for me to take Andrew.
I packed up the stroller and put it in the car. Packed a bag for her and I, and we took the short trip up I 75 to the zoo. The colder temperatures kept some of the animals indoors and not out on exhibit, but that didn’t seem to matter. The zoo was bustling with all kinds of parents and children- some in costume and some not.
All along the walkways of the zoo are little areas that people can decorate for various seasons and such. There were so many wonderful little Halloween displays. There were many pumpkins, ghosts, mums, sunflowers, all dressed up in Fall colors.
When we walked in, Ella was handed a trick or treat bag for a lot of the various stops and games throughout the zoo that day. We were only a few feet into the zoo and she heard the trains whistle and took off because she wanted to go and ride the train.
The train was already out riding along the tracks, and the line for the next train ride had already started to form. Very close to the train depot was a little traveling coffee truck. I decided to go over and get a coffee to warm me up, and Ella asked for some lemonade.
After our train ride, LOL wanted to go and play on the little playground. She wanted to go down the slide, and wanted me to as well! I joked and said that I didn’t think that my butt would fit on the slide. (Earlier last week we had stopped at a park, and Sam got on a swing and Ella had told her she was proud that her butt fit into the swing!) When I slid down she was at the bottom of the slide to greet me saying, “Yay, daddy! Your butt fitted the slide!” Then she asked to go down again!!
After visiting the prairie dogs, the otters, the wolves, and the alligator, Ella wanted to ride the carousel. She was talking about in on the ride there. She was going to ride on the bunny (there are actually 2 of them, thank goodness). As soon as the opened the gate for us to get on the ride, she was looking for the bunny. No other kid was on it yet, so she claimed it for her ow.
After riding the carousel twice, she asked to go home. On my way out, she said, “I wanna see the animals again.” Thankfully, we hadn’t walked out yet. We walked back through and she played a few games that were set up along the way and in one of the tents. She won some stuffed pumpkin looking guy and a lamb, which she loves.
After walking through again, I was glad she didn’t fight me when I said it was time to go home and warm up. As we walked outside, we once again passed by two bear sculptures that were donated to the zoo. They are pretty awesome. The won awards at ArtPrize. You can read about them here:
Ella wanted to stand by the big brown bear and she started roaring like a bear! It was so cute!
There has been so much going on in our lives that getting away for a bit to share some fun with Ella was nice. I missed having the rest of the family there, though.
I hope to get the whole family out together for an outing before fall gives way to winter.
It only took like 26 different pictures to get one where we were both looking at the camera!
If I am being honest with you, I had to really think for a minute to remember what day it was today. The past few week has been a blur with everything going on. So I wanted to give a brief update.
Andrew is doing well after his surgery. I would venture to say that he is sleeping better, but he sounds worse, if that makes any sense. His breathing is just very raspy at times, and I am sure this is just because his throat/larynx is still healing.
On Friday afternoon, we were told that my sister-in-law only had a few hours left before she would pass away. I called into work because it sounded like we had reached that point. As of this writing, Grace is still fighting. The hospice nurses are baffled. She has been fighting for life since the day she was born, and she continues to do so. The latest estimate is that she will not make it through the day. I thank you for the words of encouragement and your prayers for our family.
Today just might be my day! According to the National Day Calendar:
National Grouch Day on October 15th sends out notices to all the grouches of the world to be their truest grouch. If you are a grouch, today is your special day. According to Sesame Street Magazine, the day celebrates all grouches and their way of life.
Sometimes grumps give backhanded compliments. “Your house looked horrible until you painted it.” Other times they don’t give them at all. Noise, silence, general activity makes a grouch generally unpleasant.
As per the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a grouch is described as:
(1) a person who complains frequently or constantly or (2) a habitually irritable or complaining person
It seems that a grouch may be happy (although they would never admit it) only when others are unhappy and grouchy. It is then that they feel most comfortable with having others share in their grumpy, cantankerous, surly world with them.
I’m sure there are people who feel I am the epitome of a “Grouch.” That may be the case in certain circumstances, however, that isn’t always the case. I started to make a list of Famous Grouches and I don’t think I’m as bad as they are!
Oscar the Grouch is probably the most famous grouch. He’s really kind of disgusting. Living in that trash can surrounded by rotting and smelly stuff would make anyone grouchy. I always loved that he used the term, “Scram!”
The Grinch is an overlooked grouch. Yes, he changed his attitude at the end of the story, but here’s a dude who wants to ruin a major holiday for everyone else just because he hates it. He found joy in making others miserable.
stern looking mature man in victorian costume carrying a cane . Model is wearing a dark suit , top hat, glasses and prosthetic make up , the look created is also similar to a Dickens victorian type character .
Ebenezer Scrooge is much like the Grinch. He has a change of heart and attitude at the end of his story, too. However, he was just a miserable man to be around. His whole disposition was grouchy!
Grumpy the Dwarf from Snow White was just an old Grump. Happy was his opposite. I’m guessing his personality would have been the same whether he was called Grumpy or Grouchy.
Speaking of Grumpy, I suppose you have to include the Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau characters from Grumpy Old Men. It is important to point out that they were happy making each other miserable, so while grumpy, not always grouchy.
Two of my favorite grumpy/grouchy old men could be found each week in the balcony of the Muppet Show. Statler and Waldorf were wonderful hecklers who enjoyed tossing insults at the acts and guest stars and offering up not so pleasant reviews and comments.
This list goes on and on…
Fred Sanford
Archie Bunker
Red Forman
Louie DePalma
I’m sure I and probably missing some obvious grump’s or grouches. Feel free to tell me your favorite.
In the mean time, if you see me in a bad mood today.. it’s totally okay!
I thought I would not have to write this blog for some time, but life turns on a dime. Our family is hurting deeply right now. As I write this, my 10 year old sister-in-law, Grace, is in her final hours of life. She entered Hospice care about 3 weeks ago. Originally, everyone thought we had more time, but she took a turn for the worst on Wednesday.
I met Grace (and Sam) long before Sam and I were dating, and she became my sister-in-law. I was doing my clinicals for college. The sleep lab I was at did studies on pediatric patients and adults. Grace was the first pediatric patient I ever hooked up. Sam actually brought her to the lab that night.
As a student tech, who’d never worked with pediatric patients before, I was scared. Grace was all smiles during the set up. I learned later that this was not uncommon for her. It was that night that Sam mentioned she was going to go to school to be a sleep tech as well. She would graduate the year after me.
Grace had to be about 2 or 3 years old when I did that first sleep study. She had her share of medical issues then and over the course of the last 8-9 years, she has had multiple surgeries, procedures, and hospital stays.
When Sam’s parents adopted Grace, they knew it would be a long road ahead. They did everything and anything they could to make sure Grace received the proper medical care she needed. Believe me when I tell you that she needed a lot!
Grace is just shy of her 11th birthday. She has been a fighter every single day of her short life. As you can imagine, all that fighting can make a body tired. She is tired.
Family and friends have been coming and going since Wednesday to say goodbye. It was then that the family was told that she only had a short time left. Sam went over this morning and things changed very quickly this afternoon. So she is staying there as long as necessary.
When I worked on the radio, we did radio-thons for St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. It was founded by actor Danny Thomas, and it has done so much for children with cancer. Danny once said, “No child should die in the dawn of life.” I couldn’t agree more. Grace is still in the dawn of life.
The time ahead is going to be very difficult for all of us. My heart aches for my wife, who has a very close relationship with Grace. I cannot imagine the hurt her parents are feeling, not to mention her brothers and sisters And our sweet Ella, oh, how she loves her Aunt Gracie. We don’t even know how to explain this to her.
To say that Grace is loved by many is an understatement. The outpouring of love and support from family, friends, teachers, and others has been amazing. Her smile always made others smile and I believe that just the thought of her smile will continue to bring smiles.
If you would be so kind as to keep my wife, her parents, her siblings and our family in your prayers, I would be forever grateful. While we will miss her, there is a great comfort in the words of the Bible. Here, we say our earthy goodbyes, but it isn’t really a goodbye for us. We believe that there will be a reunion.
The Apostle Paul says in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4:
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
What a comfort those words are. The heavenly reunion will be with Grace and those who have gone on before her. This brings a sense of peace, however, there will be a painful void for us when she leaves. While we deal with that, we rejoice that she will be pain free in heaven.
We love you Grace. You will never be forgotten. We will miss you every single day! Until we see each other again, dance with Jesus, sweet girl.
Here is another installment of the Friday Photo Flashback. This feature started with a writing prompt that asked to find a picture and write about it and the feelings it brought about.
This week I only have to go back a year or so. As I have been watching the leaves change color, I was reminded of the many autumn walks I took with Ella. I remembered just how fascinated she was with the leaves. We often would stop so she could enjoy them.
I may have posted this photo in a past blog, I can’t remember. I just love this photo of Ella!
I love that we were walking and she found this colorful pile of leaves. I recall her picking them up one by one and just being mesmerized by them. Then she just dove into the pile.
I love the hat she is wearing. I hope my wife saved it in the “special clothes” bin. I love the huge smile she is wearing. She is so content. Happiness must be a huge pile of leaves.
I am far from a professional photographer and I am sure that this is no where near professional quality. However, to me, it looks like something a professional would take.
It’s a one of a kind photo. As I see her smiling surrounded by leaves, it reminds me of some special moments with my daughter. It also reminds me of my favorite season.
Andrew had his surgery today. You may remember his sleep study showed severe sleep apnea. A diagnosis of laryngomalacia was given and today the surgery was to correct that.
Going in we knew that there would be at least one surgery for sure and a list of possible others. The possibles would be assessed after a scope of the airway was done. The doc was unclear as to whether the tonsils and adenoids needed to come out. That was one of the possible “others.”
We had to be up very early to make the trek down to the hospital. I really never understood why they tell you to be there so early. We had a 7:30 arrival for a 9:30 surgery, which was moved to 9:45, then 10, and I think we finally were back in the OR by 10:30.
Sam’s aunt came over and watched Ella for us while we were there. We were very grateful for her coming at the last minute. Some other family issues came up that forced us to change plans.
We had smooth sailing all the way to the hospital. Once we were checked in, the waiting began. There were plenty of people in the waiting room – kids and adults.
Andrew is not a patient kid. He likes to be walking or running or exploring. He is not going to sit still. So, Sam and I took him and walked around the halls a bit while we waited to get to the prep room.
Once in the prep room, he was gowned up and the Child Life folks brought in some toys. They kept him occupied for a short time, but he hated being confined to the room.
They told us that there were some wagons/cars in the hallway and eventually I walked him through the halls.
By this time he was exhausted from the early morning wake up and he fell asleep on Sam.
I was the one who went with him to the OR, so they could put him under. They brought me one of those white “bunny suit” gowns to wear in the OR. They did this for me when Ella had her ear tubes, too. This time, thanks to my 40+ pound weight loss, I could actually zip it up!!
Sam passed him to me so I could take him down. I had hoped that since he was sleeping, they could just put the mask on him and he’d stay asleep. He didn’t. He woke up and I held him while they put him under.
After the scope, the doc came out to say they were just going to do the one surgery because the tonsils and adenoids looked ok. After that surgery, he came back out and asked if he choked on his food or drink. Lately, he had been doing this, so we said yes. He found a small abnormality that he was able to fix while he was still under.
The doc came out afterward to say that all went good and it would be about 30-40 minutes before we could go back to see him. While we waited Sam got a text saying that he was doing well in the recovery room. We continued to wait.
Finally, they let us back. If you have never seen a child waking up from anesthesia, it is not pretty. When Ella woke from her “twilight” she was head butting, fighting and screaming like we have never seen her before. Andrew was similar, but he was mostly squirming and screaming. It was not easy to see him that way. Nothing seemed to calm him down.
They wasted no time getting us up to our room, which was already set for us. The nurses on the floor were a bit surprised that they didn’t keep us down there longer, but we all rolled with it. Andrew eventually fell asleep on Sam and that extra sleep helped him a lot.
Sam noticed that they must have had a difficult time getting an IV. He had two pokes in both hands, and the IV was in his foot. Not that it mattered much – he pulled the IV out when he woke up. We thought they were going to have to put a new one in, but the nurse said if we could get him to drink some fluids, we may not have to do that.
Well, the poor kid hadn’t had anything to eat or drink since 9pm the night before. So when he was handed a sippy cup, he drank from it. When handed a popsicle, he chowed it down. When he was offered Jello, he ate it like it was a gourmet meal! No need for another IV!!
He had three EKG leads on him to monitor his heart. He also had a pulse oximeter on his toe to watch oxygen levels. These basically had him tied to the room. He didn’t want to just sit. He didn’t want the equipment on him either. He promptly starting ripping those things off. We pressed the nurse call button and waited for 30 minutes. Finally we just took him to the hallways to walk.
He squirmed in our arms, so we let him walk on his own, which led to him running through the halls and into rooms. Sam and I got our steps in today. It had to be a sight watching us chase him around!!
We’re glad the surgery is over and now we wait to see if this helps with his sleep. Next step is his echocardiogram next week to see if the apnea has caused any damage to his heart. We pray that all is ok.
The very talented Angela Lansbury has passed away just days shy of her 97th birthday. She will forever be remembered for her role as Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote. She was also in Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Blue Hawaii, Gaslight, Death on the Nile, Beauty and the Beast, and so many other roles.
I stumbled on one of her earlier performances on accident. I was doing a search for Film Noir films and found one that starred Raymond Burr (Perry Mason). Angela Lansbury starred opposite of him in a film that has become a favorite – Please Murder Me from 1956.
IMDB describes it this way:
A lawyer (Raymond Burr) suffers a guilt complex after getting a murder acquittal for his client (Agela Lansbury), and then finding out she did commit the crime.
Rotten Tomatoes gives a little bit more of the plot for you:
A lovesick attorney (Raymond Burr) tries to trap a murder client (Angela Lansbury) he got acquitted by arranging for her to kill him.
The movie starts with lawyer Craig Carlson buying a pistol at a pawn shop and putting it in his office desk drawer with a file folder. He dictates a message into a tape recorder for the local district attorney revealing that he expects to be murdered within an hour, and he begins to tell his story in extended flashbacks.
I believe that the film is now in the public domain and can be viewed completely on YouTube. It is worth the watch. Great film noir and great acting from Burr and Lansbury. The film reminds me of something you would hear on an old radio show like Suspense or The Whistler. Great ending!
It is truly hard to believe that Andrew turned 1 today! It seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital. Yet here we are one year later. A lot has transpired in 365 days.
For new followers to the blog, you can relive all the excitement of his delivery and birthday here:
He didn’t go to bed any later than normal last night, but he slept longer than Ella today, which is not the norm. Ella was up and playing in her crib and I got up to get her. We came back to my room where Andrew was still sleeping. As much as she tries to whisper, every now and then she forgets and just gets loud. When I reminded her that it was his birthday, she screamed with excitement … and of course, woke him up.
When Sam got home from work, we whipped up some breakfast and had some well deserved family time. We snapped a few first birthday photos and then got ready for a day at the park. It was just beautiful today with temperatures up near 70. The sun made it feel a whole lot warmer.
We drove through and grabbed lunch and brought it to the park for a picnic lunch. There is a small park about 20 minutes away and it was just perfect. There was a playground with playscape and swings and a pavilion with picnic tables where we ate. There is a trail that you can walk with a small creek and fall colors.
Sam and Andrew explored the tennis courts and playground while I sat with Ella as she finished her lunch. When she was finished, we walked over to them. Sam asked if Ella wanted to show me where she had seen some ducks the last time they were there. She said she’d rather play on the playground, so Andrew and I took a walk over.
There is a little bridge that overlooks the creek and he loved just walking on it and looking down at the creek.
We were at the park for quite a while enjoying the day. We didn’t leave until it was close to nap time. Andrew wound up falling asleep in the car, which worked out because Sam wanted to stop and pick up some balloons for him. When we got home, Sam wanted to take a short nap before dinner.
Her mom stopped by to drop off Andrew’s birthday gift and brought their dog Toodles! We all love that dog! The kids loved that she was here and we all went outside and ran around with her. I wish I had gotten some pictures of that!
We had planned on making a chicken and rice dish for dinner, but I neglected to pull chicken out to thaw, so I wound up running to the store and picking up a rotisserie chicken. We made some green beans and mac and cheese to go with it.
After dinner, Andrew opened his birthday gifts and played with his new Little People School Bus before it was time for cake. We sang Happy Birthday and we gave him his cake.
Unlike the day of his cake smash pictures, this time, Andrew REALLY chowed down on this cake!!
It was very fun to watch. He just kept grabbing chunks of cake and stuffing his face. I swear, he ate 3/4 of that cake! I’m surprised he fell asleep tonight after eating all that sugar!!
He snuggled up with mommy and fell asleep on her tonight. It was just beautiful. Sam mentioned to me last night, she never really understood just how different it is in regard to the mother/son bond. She loved them both the same, but that bond is a little different. I explained that I totally understood what she was saying because I feel the same way with Ella. That daddy/daughter bond is really special.
Sam, Ella, and the birthday boy are all asleep as I write this. I think back over the last year and remember so many wonderful memories. He certainly has given us a run for our money. Plenty of after hours urgent care visits, a few months with his helmet, fracture of his foot, and all kinds of other things.
His sleep study showed he had sever sleep apnea. He was diagnosed with Laryngomalacia, which is some extra tissue on the larynx which can cause apnea and other issues. He goes in for surgery on Thursday to correct this. His sleep doc is also worried about whether or not the apnea caused some heart issues, so next week we have to go for an echocardiogram for him. We’re praying that all goes well with the surgery and the echo.
Before he has surgery, he had to get a COVID test. I had to take him in for it and I was totally prepared for a lot of crying. I just knew that it was going to be awful for him to be swabbed. The nurse came in, swabbed him, he made a face and there were no tears! I literally snapped this picture like 20 seconds after the swab.
What a blessing he is to us. As I said on Facebook today:
One year. 365 days. What an amazing trip around the sun it has been for our Andrew Joseph! He is unique and wonderful in so many ways!
This amazing little guy has brought even more happiness to our home. His bright blue eyes light up the room. His smile is contagious. His laughter is joyful noise.
His happy dance makes us all giggle with delight. He is a good little brother, even though Ella has said that he “drives me crazy!”. I have no doubt these two will be best friends. Thank you, God, for allowing me to be “dad” to these two amazing kids!!
Happy birthday, AJ! Thank you for a wonderful year of memories and milestones. We can’t wait to see what the years ahead will bring….
I love you, son.
Sam posted this:
Andrew Joseph-
Today you are ONE! This momma might be in a bit of denial that you aren’t my tiny baby anymore. Even though you are my second baby, you have definitely taught me how to be a momma in a whole new way. You taught me to listen to my momma gut when something isn’t right. You have taught me to fight for answers and pray harder then ever.
Andrew you are fierce and determined! You will not let anything stop you. Your sister might be bigger but you have no issues pulling her to the floor by her hair if it means getting your toy back. You will find a way to get to whatever you want. Even if it isn’t always the safest. There is a reason we call you Bamm Bamm.
You are brilliant! There is not a single gate, or baby proof tab or lock that you haven’t mastered. All it takes is one time of you watching and you know how to do it.
You are so loving! You have always been busy, but you are the first to always snuggle your momma. You still have yet to ever nap somewhere that isn’t in my arms and 99% of the time that is where you are all night too. You fall asleep with my lips on your forehead every single night. And it is secretly my favorite part of the day.
You have the best smile and the brightest eyes and we love you more than you know! Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!
I have said it before, but it is worth repeating – I am a truly blessed man.
I’m not here to start anything. I understand that Columbus Day is frowned upon. Whether you are for it, or against it, it makes no difference to me. All my life it was Columbus Day.
Columbus is kind of a big deal to Italians. I believe they still do a parade or two in his honor. St. Patrick was Italian, but March 17 is an Irish celebration. Columbus Day is really the only Italian holiday.
There are only two reasons I even am posting about Columbus today. The first is so I can post a song that has always been a favorite.
Lou Monte recorded many Italian songs and had a hit with Lazy Mary back in the day. As an Italian, he saluted Christopher Columbus in song. It is sort of a novelty song, but I always got a kick out of it.
The other reason is because since Columbus Day has become “taboo,” I’ve decided to celebrate a different holiday…
Just one more thing … Have a great day, no matter what you are celebrating!
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 