Christmas Eve at Grandpa Landmann's

I'm going to Grandma and Grandpa Landmann's house for Christmas Eve. I'm wearing my special "Santa" suit that Patty gave me, don't you think I look cute? We've just arrived and everyone is very excited to see me again. This should be a really fun day. Something always smell good at Grandma's. Ummm! I think I smell ham and cookies.

Dad, Mom and Me. This is my family!

Opening my first Christmas Presents! Fun!

Patty gave me a bunch of "Big" books. I like this one a lot.

This is Uncle Paul! He held me and let me drool all over his arm and he didn't even care. Some people don't seem to like my drool. 

A Real Together Family

On Wednesday night December 7th, we all met at a grill your own steaks place called "Hookers". It is a nice place on the Wisconsin River, not that it matters at this time of the year. The occasion was Uncle Jon's birthday. It smelled marvelous in there but I had arrived with a full tummy so just smiled and cooed and drooled for everyone. And now to the "together" part, they all knew it was an occasion, and they all knew that I would be there but no one brought a camera. Now this together family has five digital cameras but no pictures that night. Anyway, we had a great time. My Grandma was so pleased as she got to hold me while Mom ate, at least part of her meal, and I didn't cry or fuss or anything. They had a great time and I did too.

Mom knew Grandma would want some new photo so she emailed her one of my up to date shots. I'm having a good time here too, playing with my "Paddington".

Went to Grandma Landmann's for Thanksgiving. Everything smelled so good. I think there were lots of good things cooking. My Mom dressed me up real cute in my lion outfit. She plays with me and makes me smile. I'm learning to talk and smile just like my Mom.

Here I am getting all changed into a new outfit. Sometimes I kind of mess up what I'm wearing so need to change into another fabulous outfit. I seem to have a bunch of clothes.

I think they will want me to take a nap soon. I'm way too interested in what's going on. I may wait to sleep until on the drive home. I wonder if I really AM in charge.

Ummmmm! Bananas

Today my Dad gave me a taste of real food. My Mom was a bit worried but felt I was probably ready for it. I WAS! Yummy! It was only a very small taste but I'm looking forward to more interesting things to taste very soon.

Wearing My Movers Overalls

Wore my big boy overalls to help Uncle Jon move into his new house. I wanted to help move the big TV but Mom insisted on feeding me and watching the Packer game.

Dad and Uncle Jon are working so hard. I hope I grow up big and strong like them. Grandma and Grandpa are here too helping Patty and Uncle Jon move in all of their furniture and other neat stuff.

Babies Make Us Silly

Henry Thomas came to visit again on Thursday night with his Mom and Dad. Tom was again generously working on my woodshop wiring. After dinner and helping briefly in the shop I got to visit with Em and Henry. He is becoming very responsive to light, movement, noises and people. He was very fun to watch and talk to.

After getting his tummy full and a nice nap with Mom, Henry was ready to interact with us. You have never seen such a funny scene (as I look back on it) as Emily talking to Henry Thomas and he was gooing and cooing and with big smiles and dimples while Grandpa Henry and I stood there leaning over him and listening as though we could understand every thing he was saying. Wow...look at that ...he is talking....he is sooo cute. I'm a very lucky Grandma to be able to see Henry Thomas often as he is growing and changing with each visit.

Henry Thomas in His New Swing

Henry seems to like his new swing. Emily says that he can see himself in the mirror that is on the back of the flower above him. He loves to be held while walking and swaying or to be rocked so he should love the motion of the swing. He is wearing his "camo" sleeper that Grandpa Henry just had to get for him at Sheel's in EauClaire. What a sweety.

What a swinger! 

Another Visit to Grandma's House

On Friday the 7th Henry came to visit Grandma. Tom was doing the wiring in my new woodcarving shop so I was busy trying to be helpful there and taking time to visit with my new and best grandson. He is certainly a MaMa's boy as he knows who holds and rocks him best. It was nice to see how well he is growing. He is very strong and determined when he is unhappy.

Getting ready to go home. We had a nice visit while Tom was busy wiring my new woodcarving shop.  

Just got over crying for his Mom. She is #1 in his book. 

Excitement! Another Visit From Henry Thomas

Tom, Emily and baby Henry are coming tonight for a visit. I'm planning a nice dinner and look forward to the time when I can share little bits of dinner with Henry. OK, I guess that is quite a few months away. They make babies wait much longer these days before they let Grandma give the little one treats of one kind or another. Maybe by Christmas?

A month old and still growing those dimples. What a couple sweethearts. 

Me and Grandma Ethel

Grandma Ethel came to visit with me when I was only two days old. I hope she visits me again soon. I love to be held and Grandmas sure know how to hold babies.

Lots of Excitement and Good Things

Friday Tom, Emily and Henry came to visit Grandma's house. They knew that Paul was coming from Minnesota to give Me a wonderful present so they came to help and to visit. Very new for Paul to be an Uncle but he loves babies and enjoyed holding Henry. Had a great visit and was terrific to have my kids home and together. Saturday, Jon and Patty came to help Paul and to visit, so it was a pretty terrific weekend.

Henry continues to grow and I see changes each time I see him. He is a hungry little fellow but will need to keep eating to fill out his large feet and hands. He is so cute and a good baby. Keep up the great work parents.

My trip to Grandma's made me so sleepy. She holds me so nice so I can sleep. 

Hello Little Man, I'm Uncle Paul.  

Two weeks old and checking out his new world. 

A Visit From Great-Grandma Harriet

If you ask, who can resist a baby, the answer is almost no one but it is more true with Grandparents. Gazing at the sweet baby brings memories of our own children in small ways that might have been forgotten in our busy day. I remember being astounded by the perfect eyelashes and fingernails. Babies smell so sweet and make such wonderful noises. Wrinkled brow followed by utter calm and contentment. Henry Thomas has been blessed with his Mother's dimples, thank you very much Emily, and I look forward to seeing them each time I visit.

I really can't speak for Great Grandma Harriet but I'm sure she felt the wonder of this child and the happiness he has brought. This is not Harriet's first great grand child but each baby is a new beginning of life and promise. I'm feeling this thrill for the first time and I can't imagine it could get any sweeter.

How appropriate on the Grandma Blog - Henry's Great Grandma Harriet. Isn't he one of the best you've ever held? 

Back Home

I've just returned from five days Up North so have nothing new to report on my grandson. I did call from our camp site when I couldn't stand it anymore to see if we had a first tooth, a first step or anything like the baby saying "Grandma".

Tom reassured me that the new family have settled in really well and all are doing fine. Henry Thomas has begun to "coo" and Tom and Emily being new parents do not know that that is baby talk for "where's Grandma"!

I look forward to seeing the new Mom, Dad and of course Henry but don't think that will happen until late this week. I'll be checking in often to see if I can help the new parents interpret any other baby babblings.

Until then or another news worthy event.

Tomorrow I'm Going Away

Tomorrow I'm going away for a short vacation. I haven't visited with Henry Thomas since last Saturday. Let's see, that would be about four days ago and tomorrow I'm leaving for another four days. I wonder how much Henry Thomas will grow and change while I'm gone?

I certainly would not say that I am overly focused on my grandchild (ahem) but it is very easy for him to be the focus of my daily thoughts. Having raised three baby boys myself, I'm aware how fast they grow and how quickly the time passes. I want to enjoy each minute with this little one.

Hug the baby for me Tom until I get back and can visit again. Be safe family.

Sweet Family!

Tom and Emily have wanted a family for a long time. They are natural parents as becomes apparent when they are in any gathering where there are children. Henry is a lucky little guy.

You and me and baby makes three!

One Week Birthday - Loved Being Held By Grandpa Henry and Uncle Jon

Today Henry Thomas is one week old. I was delighted to have an unexpected visit with him when my birthday included not only an outing with Jon and Patty to some really neat places but they also took me to visit Tom and Emily and Henry Thomas. It was super nice as Grandpa Henry got to hold Henry Thomas for the first time. Uncle Jon also had the pleasure of checking out his new nephew.

Grandpa Henry holding me tight!

Grandpa Henry, Dad and Me.

Uncle Jon testing my grip!

Five Days Old - A visit with Henry and Family

Yesterday I went for a visit to see Henry Thomas, Tom and Emily at home. We had a great visit and I got to share some really nice things. Best of all was holding the baby for the times when Emily was preparing things for him or doing something for herself or Tom. Tom made a fabulous late breakfast for us of Corned Beef Hash & Eggs with Oat Toast. Yummy. Tom is a good cook. He used to cook and bake as a boy growing up.

I found out that Henry Thomas has strong lungs and vocal cords. He loves to be held and settles into blissful sleep. He did manage to surprise his Mom with a little spray during a diaper change so she has offically been christened as the Mom of a boy baby.

I helped with a few things around the house, hugged the family and drove home a satisfied Mother and Grandmother. See you again soon family. Hugs Hugs Hugs!

Easy does it, Daddy's here! 

Blissfull Sleep of Angels!