Reflections

It has been a few days since Lukas was born. It has been time to reflect on this wonder. For a long time everyone thought I didn't want to be a grandma, and nothing could have been further from the truth. I wanted Jesse and Amy to start their family when they were ready. Not just because I wanted to be a grandma. I was thrilled when they told us they were expecting. You could see how happy and excited they were. When they asked me to go along to one of their ultrasound appointments, I could not have been more honored. To watch both their faces when they saw their baby, was very moving. Then they allowed me to be with them at the hospital for the delivery. Jesse was so supportive and caring. Amy was so brave and strong. When Amy's mom and I heard his first cries there were a lot of hugs . Jesse had a smile from ear to ear, with tears in his eyes.Right away you could see the love in both Jesse and Amy's eyes. As a parent to see your child become a parent is pretty amazing. I am sure the feelings are different for everyone. For me to see Jesse holding Lukas for the first time was beyond words. Lukas seemed very content in his daddy's arms. I remembered the day Jesse was born and all the feelings of love I had for him, and now here he was a father. Time sure does fly.
Right after Jesse got to hold him it was my turn. What a joy!! It seemed so surreal. You start imagining all the things you want to do for and with him. Jesse says he is the 2034 Tour de France winner so I will be cheering at more bike races.

Sarah and Jesse have always been so close and it was nice to see them together with Lukas. Sarah is so excited to be an Aunt and she will be a great one. She is such a caring and thoughtful young women. I couldn't be more proud of her.

You start to ask yourself the what if questions. I think all parents wonder, if I had done some things differently, spent more time, said different things. You know the what if's. I have had those thoughts. Things with Jesse and I have not always been easy. Both he and I know we have always loved each other, but there have been moments when I was not sure we liked one another. We all have regrets, but I would not change one experience that we had together. Because,, without them he would not be the wonderful man he is today. To have not gone through those things may have changed who he is and I wouldn't want that. I am sure, Jesse will ask those same questions. No one is perfect and we all make mistakes, we just have to learn from them. You will be a great dad.

To Lukas, I promise to be the best grandma I can. To love you and spoil you. To share with you stories about your dad, and your family. Thank you Jesse and Amy for this precious gift. He will be treasured always. You will have many adventures good and bad. Just remember, it is all worth it in the end. Hold on to all your memories they grow so fast.

I love you all!!

First Day Home

Lukas went home from the hospital yesterday and Dave and I went down to visit and brought dinner. They are all happy to be home. Amy and Jesse are doing well and other than a lack of sleep are thrilled to be settling in.

Dave and Jesse with the celebratory chocolate cigars!
I have had a couple of complaints that there are no pictures of me with Lukas so here they are. I would rather hold him all the time but, when I can't, I take pictures......a lot.

See Grandma has the touch. It's either that or he is just exhausted from the last couple of days.

Now it was Grandpa's turn. He kept his cool and talked to Lukas.

Success, see Grandpa has the touch too. I seem to remember Dave saying he doesn't hold kids till they are a year old. How things have changed.

He remained content and happy the whole time we were there.

Just because he is TOO cute!

Aunt Sarah bought him a swing and he really loves it. Amy put him in it while we had dinner and he fell right to sleep. It was nice that they were able to relax and enjoy a hot meal. Those times may be few and far between for awhile.

I went to my mom and dad's today to share photo's and stories of Lukas. I think this is so cute, my mom sitting in front of a computer. She agreed with me, Lukas is a keeper!!

More Lukas

Jesse and Lukas and their very first diaper change. Jess was a little nervous, but willing to make the attempt.

This was more involved than Jesse thought it would be. I can guarantee you that Amy, Sarah and I were NOT laughing at all. We could not have been more supportive!!

Finally, success. Jesse kept working his way around the changing table and is now concerned that when he tries this at home there will not be enough maneuvering room.

WOW! Now that we have finished with the diaper it's time to get dressed. This could be the real challenge.

Jesse was talking to Lukas throughout the whole process. At one point he told him," this is going to be a lesson in perseverance and we are in this together" and, "these sleeves are so small and my hands are so big".

OK, so now he was working up a sweat and needed to shed some clothes so he could continue.

I think Lukas knew how nervous his daddy was because throughout the whole process he laid there quietly, so as not to make it any more difficult. Once he was dressed they shared a little bonding moment.

People are saying I have my daddy's feet.. What do you think? (For those who have seen Jesse's feet.)

Time for a little reflection

Our little bundle...cute , adorable and precious!!

PROUD grandparents. We are so happy and proud of Jesse and Amy and, so in love with Lukas.

Look at these pictures .... Can you tell which one is Jesse and which one is Lukas?

Answer: The one on the right is Jesse and the left is Lukas.

Lukas Elliott Ward

Well. he has finally arrived. Lukas Elliott Ward born Jan. 29. 2009. He weighed 8lbs. 4oz. and is 20 1/2 inches. I was privileged to be a part in his birth, and both Jesse and especially Amy did a wonderful job. I will send these few shots so you can all be a part of this little wonder and will update you after I get some sleep.
The happy family

Aunt Sarah and Lukas

The VERY proud grandpa!
Much more soon
Love to all Mary

Waiting for Lukas

We are here at the hospital waiting for Lukas. So far everyone is doing well. We are hoping that they speed up and move along. We will keep you informed.

Bye for now!!!

Lovely sunny winter day

Today was a nice mostly sunny winter day, cold but tolerable, so we went for a drive. Wanted to take in some of nature's wonder. This is a shot straight down Coldwater river. Dave then took us to the buffalo ranch, and we were lucky some of them were out.

We then decided to drive to Fallasberg Park. We are driving along and we see a big bird fly along side the truck. We realized that it is an eagle. I grabbed the camera and Dave almost pushed me out of the truck. I stood there as he took off down the road with the door still hanging open, he was concerned about the traffic. I was able to get a few nice pictures and Dave came back around to pick me up. I crossed the road and stood near the rear door to take a couple other pictures. I took one step and my right leg sunk down into the snow....above the knee. I am now staring up at the bottom of the truck, and grabbing for the handle. Sarah is wondering why I am not just standing up, not realizing I have fallen in a hole!!!! I was finally able to pull my self up and Sarah was surprised how far down I had gone. Dave was just concerned that I might get snow on his seats.
Here is a nice picture of Sarah at the park

Drove to Ada and stopped at the covered bridge. It was very pretty.
After Ada we headed out to meet Jesse and Amy for dinner. We had Chipotle in hopes the spicy food would get things going. Now we just wait for the call. No matter how it goes we will all be happy to meet Lukas when he comes. I think Amy is ready!!!

All in all a great day

Waiting

Well. we are still waiting for news on Lukas. Amy's due date was the 22nd so it should be anytime now!!! We will let you all know as soon as something happens.

So, while we wait I thought I would share a few stories with you. First about the owls.....In the fall we had to clean out the nest box and that happened to be when Dave suffered his broken collarbone. Anyway, we had Jesse come over to lend a hand. I was not aware that Jesse is afraid of ladders and heights until Amy and I were watching from the house and she was concerned about how high he was going.....hehe ( sorry Jes)

Just a little higher

Well, a couple weeks ago I wanted to see what might be happening in the box so I had Dave plug in the camera and unfortunately there was NO picture. I have been digging through the snow in the woods looking for the connections so we can check them. We had tied the cable to a tree but, it must have fallen. No luck yet, so we must wait for a little warm weather( if that ever comes.) Anyways, today I was looking out the kitchen window and looked at the box, don't get excited, it was not the owl. At least I know that the owls were not in the nest, because the pest was sunning himself.
So that is our one technology issue. The other is the D*&$ DTV conversion thing. We have the box we need, but the antenna we have is not strong enough to get all the channels in. I can not get ABC one day and CBS the next. Now for the normal person this should not be a problem, but we all know I am not normal!!! So the other night we had to go to Sarah's house to watch LOST!!! Naughty Charlie tried to have dinner with us.
He finally relaxed and joined us for Lost.

Dave assures me that when the weather changes he will climb outside and fix the antenna situation!! Till then we shall endure....hehe.

Enough for now hopefully, we will have baby news soon.