my great-grandfather

On Friday afternoon, my great-grandfather died. This is how sad I am about it. I will have more stories about him soon, I promise. And photos of him. It is sad for me that I didn't get to know him very well because I was on my way into the world as he was on his way out. But we did get to go to the Cornerhouse together (my first time there, and what was his last). And I have heard lots of stories about him. We would have been the best of pals and I was his favorite! Don't believe my mom when she says she was the favorite. The highlight of his life was holding me when we visited him in Washington.

my great-grandfather (part 1)

On Friday, March 26, we got the sad sad news that my great-grandfather died. The news came in as me and my mom were having lunch with my sister - and meeting her boyfriend for the first time (nice kid, by the way, and I like his hair). We had just ordered strawberry shortcake when my mom got the message from Sharon. Bobby had been sick for a while but when someone can climb up a utility pole late into his 60s, somehow you don't expect that person would ever die. He was very healthy until the doctors started messing around with him a few years ago. He lived to be 85.

This is a photo taken of us in Washington in September. My mom thinks that she was his favorite but you can tell from how he is smiling at me that I was his true favorite. He said I am fascinating (which I am, and getting more so by the day). He would really like me now.

On Saturday after Bobby died, we decided we should have strawberries and waffles. We went to a little cafe and we know Bobby would have complained about the waffles. Not enough strawberries and not syrupy sweet how he likes them. So we tried again on Sunday. My dad made the waffles and my mom made the strawberry compote. The problem was that we ran short of strawberries so we had to add blueberries. We know Bobby would have complained about that too! It seems likely that we will have to wait until we can go to the Cornerhouse to get the perfect waffles.

On Saturday, my dad also took me to the park (actually, the state cemetery) and I picked some grass and flower petals and tossed it in the water for Bobby. It is fun to pull grass. I wonder why we didn't take Bobby to that cemetery when he visited Austin. It is where soldiers and famous Texans are buried. The only one I can think of right now is Ann Richards but people go crazy for the confederate heroes and what not. snoooore.

22lb, 2oz

Today, I had my nine-month visit with the doctor. I weighed in at 22lb, 2oz. Still big! And I am 30 inches tall. Oh woooow. (That is my favorite thing to say.)

I am the healthiest baby in the world. The doctor says keep up whatever I am doing (meaning no hurry or no pressure to start on solid foods). About the solids . . . my parents have made two efforts at solid foods and I swatted them away both times before they could get the food close to my mouth. At Ikea yesterday, I got some fancy new baby spoons though for whenever I do eat. I also picked out a plush bunny at the store. I can pick out my own toys now.

I had a blood test today and it took FOUR adults to hold me still because I am so freakishly strong. They couldn't find the veins in my arms because I am so chubby so they had to do a heel prick (or whatever they call it). And then they squeezed blood from me drop by drop by drop. Oh the agony.

And then I went home and slept all afternoon. I snore sometimes.

cruising

Well, today I finally found a practical use for my crib. If I sit on the floor beside my crib, I can pull myself to standing. And it didn't take me long from there to make my first effort at cruising. There is a chair near my crib so I figured out how to let go of the crib and quickly try to wobble over to the chair. Sometimes I topple over, other times I just barely make it to the chair. This will take some practice.

sleep

This is me having a nap on my sister. Look how soundly I sleep when no crib is involved.

My dad has been staying home with me some this week while my mom does something else much less fun and less important than being with me. My dad was certain that he would have me sleeping in the crib by the end of the week and drinking from a bottle or a cup. Tomorrow is Friday and you can probably guess who won . . .

red state

Today is election day. We have just returned from the polling station. Don't tell anyone but my mom voted in the Republican primary. She has not turned Republican but mostly she wanted to vote against Rick Perry. He has been governor since Bush stole the presidency and left Perry in charge. oh the misery.

Speaking of George Bush, when I was at the art museum today, the other museum across the way was preparing for a party to honor Bush. Other Texas "luminaries" such as Karl Rove will also be in attendance. If the guest list didn't include every crook in Texas, it looked like a fun party.They rolled out the red carpet (upon which Bush will likely trip) and were carting in the cakes and all kinds of yummy food.