Quiet Day

Today Charlie is 1 week old. He is adjusting to life outside in the real world very well.

His little features are changing and he is starting to loose the "newborn" look.
I see a mixture of Dennis & Michele for sure in his face.

When he rarely cries he wrinkles his forehead and really squalks!
His mama has taken him for a couple carriage walks around the block and he enjoys the ride as he falls asleep.

He has had a few of his parents friends stop by to meet him and they are as impressed as we are over how precious he is.

I took these pictures last night of his tiny hand compared to his parents. You can see it really is quite a contrast in size and he has nice long fingers.

Charlie's "protector Dog" rests next to Charlie in this photo.

No No NO bath Please!

Oh goodness, He sure didn't like his first sponge bath.
But he settled down after wards very quickly when he was dressed and fed.
Charlie has certainly captured our hearts.

He is so good.
He is content and very quiet. until he wants boobfood... then he squirms & squeals and lets his mama know hes ready for refueling.

He is sleeping four hours between feedings so I am sure he is satisfied as this picture implies.

More precious pictures coming..I have camera in my pocket!

I think his daddy loves him

I am afraid to actually say this so soon, but Charlie is a baby who never cries. He squeeks a bit and squirms enough to let Mom know that he's ready for the lunchroom to open. After he eats he is a real gentleman, he minds his manners and entertains himself looking around at his new surroundings. He has had a few visitors and is the star attraction this weekend for his Daddy & mama to show off to their friends.


His daddy had to work today a few hours in his office here in charlie's house, Daddy sure had a time staying on task cuz he kept coming out of his office to see what Cahrlie was doing.. & wouldn't ya know it.. Charlie ended up in Daddy's arms... I think Dennis is consumed ...as much as Michelle. Dennis keeps remarking on how much fun this baby is even though he was tired...I am sure Michelle is just as tired since she has the lunchroom duty. That was the comment he made this morning at 6:30 when he staggered to the coffee pot..

The home nurse visit was today and Charlie passed with flying colors. He is eating well, and the diapers are flying off & on as they should be. He lost a little weight before he left the hospital, but has gained a lot of it back and is at 9lbs 4 oz. today. So his mama is doing a great job keeping the lunchroom open.

He & his parents went for a short walk outside today after his lunch, He was snug as a bug in his new charriot. A real fancy set of wheels..

We have bottles of waterless hand washing gel placed strategically around the house so"No germs are allowed." His Dr has suggested that for the first week or so no school age children be allowed to visit, This will give Charlie time for his immune system to function 100%.

All I can say is What a little dumplin he is and I love him, and I am going to really hate to go home to Oregon..

Tomorrow Prince Charles Nash reigns over his kingdom

Yes and his kingdom is ready. His Queen mom has prepaired his room with beautiful bright colors, he has a beautiful crib, and a changing table stocked for his needs. His closet is full of shirts, & sweaters, and all items a baby could need and that includes blankets, & shoes & socks. His King father supplied ample lighting over his rockingchair for reading purposes and is ready to teach him all the magic tricks he knows.
He didn't allow his parent much sleep time last night until early morning as he keptthe keeper of the lunch counter serving and repeatedly needed seconds.
Good Grief, I suppose if you are a big boy ya gotta Eat often.. Hopefully he made an impression as to what he expects and will have put in his snack time order before the lunchroom closes..tonight. These poor providers must get some sleep sometime..but the doorbell to that place better be working.
We grandmothers are anxious to serve him tomorrw when his charriot arrives.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Charles Nash VanderHouwen is here!

9 lbs 15 oz ..21 inches tall

Born Oct 19th, 2008 11:30 Am

C- Section

When his parents told me his name which they decided on months ago, I was impressed his name sounded very distinguished, and I could hear it being called out when he graduates from College with honors. Although I did think "Wow that's a big Name, " little did I know how Big he was going to be, so his name actually fits him well! Ever wonder how that works out? The child usually fits his name..later in his life. We got a head start!

My son is over the moon with pride and my daughter in law is in for a surprise if she thinks he's gonna be a mama's boy... Mother is coping with her delivery pain but doing well. Gramma Cheryl is going to enjoy every minute she is here in Denver, It will be a few months after she leaves before She can see or hold this bundle of joy, Papa Clay was very impressed with pictures of this big guy..My daughter in laws parents are in disbelief that they finally have a grandchild..and have these fabulous smiles on their faces.

Thank you all for your congratulation posts. I will post more of these photos as the weeks progress.

5th Grandson Arrives

Yes, He made it here on my Birthday. Today Charles Nash VanderHouwen entered this world. His mama had a C-Section at 11:00 this morning and he was here to greet the thrilled mama & daddy .. All whopping 9#15 oz & 21 inches of him . What a Hunk! He is beautiful and healthy and mama is doing great! Daddy is on cloud #9. This is his second child after a daughter was born 20 years ago! I was presnt for her birth as well. (Charlie is My daughter-in-law's first). My Gosh now I really feel old.
My son's mother-in-law presented me with a birthday cake at the hospital tonight what a lovely surprise. I will be here in Denver for two more weeks. The baby and son & daughter-in-law will come home on Wednesday, providing mama continues to do well..
I will post pictures soon.

Packed & ready

A busy day, packed my bag and repacked it (I'm gonna be gone 15 days not sure what Not to pack) but I think I have rearranged enough and so I zip it shut and declare I am ready to make the drive to Portland tomorrow morning...( 5 hours) & I fly to Denver Saturday morning. We will stay over night tomorrow night with Clay's family so it will be a nice stop over.

Gas is $3.27 here today so we filled up the convertable as we get great mileage with it instead of the 4x4 Explorer.

News from Denver baby household is ....everything is a go except Charlie hasn't decided to make the journey south quite yet, I am sure he is waiting for me..So I will be blogging from my son's computer waiting for the arrival...of my sweet grandson.

Finally hung the famlily photos

After stepping over & around the family photos laying on the hall floor, We finally hung them all.
We are expecting to add a few in the empty spaces. Our wedding photo and our new grandson's. My daughters need to update their kids pictures with this school years and We are hoping to get the girls to send us pictures of themselves & their husbands to finish the family album wall. Christmas is coming..( Hint Hint)
That being completed we made some "spring rolls" to enjoy when Clay's family arrive tomorrow afternoon. It was another day in the kitchen as I have a roast in the oven for dinner now and Clay is working on his famous "Rib Rub". We also hung another bird feeder for our feathered friends.

Nice Saturday Afternoon

Clay & I took a drive around the area, Beautiful views of Mt. Shasta and the Cascades. We had a nice lunch in the forest along the Klamath River, and picked up seeds from a cedar tree and a few acrorns , I will try to plant .

My herbs are planted in the kitchen window:

My Wooden Chicken is in the entry hall with my Quilt wall hanging, Raggedy Ann in Clay's Grandpas child rocker: and my old wooden chicken crate is inthe corner of the kitchen with my farm fresh sign and 3 chicken plates on the wall.

Being a Grandma is so much fun!

I am going to Denver..Yipee!
Flying out next Saturday the 18th.
Dennis has a magic show that night and I will get to see him perform..
Michelle you have a tough act to follow!
Then if "charlie hasn't arrived into this world he will perform on the 19th!"
Making it even a more special birthday for me!
I am so excited. This is hubby's birthday pressie to me.
He cannot join me on this trip as he has some other medical business to tend to.
He will be taking me to Portland to catch the plane. Its a 5 hour drive... I could fly straight to SanFrancisco & change planes but a non-stop goes from Portland direct so I chose that flight. and He has family in the area so will go there & then come back to pick me up the 1st of November.
I will post pix of "Charlie " asap.

Friday Morning but No snow!

Another cold morning, but no snow. Cloudy & a bit windy 38 degrees but sunny right now at 11 am.
It was predicted but thankfully it didn't fall. I heard maybe today again but only 30% and that may well be only in the higher areas.

The deer are bedded down on the hillside behind the house, under the juniper trees & prairie grasses & wandering only a few feet grazing on shrubs close. A bit jittery I think since deer season is here and hunters are about.

I canned 6 more jars of Italian prunes this morning and that take care of the remaining I had.
Will make some more bread today. Priced it yesterday in the store nearly $4 a loaf, for a healthy & wholesome loaf, not the cheaper white fluff.
We are really working on reducing our household costs here as winter sets in, with our economy where it is. It is a challenge for everyone I am sure.
Bought energy saving light bulbs yesterday and gleaned the remaining beets and peas from the garden.

More pictures before winter

This is our Buster

The rooster crows..here until we get a real one!

Here a few pictures of the kitchen & one of the guest rooms

Thursday Morning

brrrrrrrr its cold this morning.
Just hung out a load of laundry and my fingers are freezing..
Have a few errands to run today,and getting a late start.
I did get some Italian Prunes and canned 6 jars last night.
I need more jars and want to do some prune jam as well.
I am not sure what the difference is between plums & prunes but they are good..

Spent the day in Bend Oregon yesterday Dr appointment for Clay and Lunch with sister in law and her mum.
Nice lunch & visit at Anthony's.
I always love seafood and this is a chain We visited alot in Washington when we lived there.

Hello,

Clay and I welcome you to our home.

I will post other pictures so you can see some of my

rooms.

Come on in....

The pond is nearly empty this time of the year, but a few birds & frogs still inhabit the low water. Spring run off from the snow will fill it again in time for the ducks returning.

Coming into the driveway.

Welcome to our Home " the Blue Sky Homestead"