Leaving San Diego

I left San Diego today. Very hard to leave. I spent some wonderful time with Jen, Dave and Cecilia, and Mark, Sean and Erik. Erik and I watched 2 Mothra movies. Rebirth of Mothra and Godzilla and Mothra and the fight for Earth (or something to that effect). Ask Erik anything about the Godzilla and other monster movies and Star Wars and he can tell you all about them. He is so into Star Wars. Reminds me very much of his dad!
Half of their livingroom is covered with any number of Star Wars ships and other characters. When I arrived there on Sunday it looked like he was preparing for a war of the worlds.

Dave caught a cold on Monday and hasn’t been able to hold Cecilia since. He really felt bad today but just couldn’t bring himself to stay in bed. Maybe Thursday since it may rain, but today, though cool, was going to be nice enough for him to want to wash the car.

I am now officially a member of Dave's “Comet” passenger club. He took me for a ride on Tuesday with the top down. Very fun. Reminds me a lot of the old ford convertible Glen had when we met.

The night before I left, Jen & Dave took me to dinner at Azul at La Jolla Cove. I had a wonderful Salmon dish and an amazing Crème Brule. It’s always fun to see the reaction of people when we take Cecilia anywhere. The owner of the restaurant came by twice while we were there. And every table did an “ahhhhh” when we picked her up. Her public loves her.

This morning I was up and out of the shackteau by 8 as we (Jen, Cecilia & I) had breakfast at The Big Kitchen. That is a fairly well known hole in the wall in South Park where at one time Whoopi Goldberg waited tables. And, the food is pretty good.

I’m counting the days until our next trip to see any of the Grandchildren. March for California and April for Florida. We haven’t seen Marcello, Cassandra & Kelsey since last May. This is way to long to not see our grandchildren. All our vacations are centered around the grandchildren and interspersed with that, visits to Austin to our girls (yes they are still our girls no matter how old they are). Sarah will be home by midyear so we will have to arrange a trip. (We have lots of boxes to deliver!)

Several of our children (I’ll not mention any names) would be very proud of me as I watched most of the inaugural festivities. Not to mention that it’s the only thing I could find on TV! I’m really trying to have an open mind about this election. I wish him luck. (I’d still rather meet our former first family – George W and Laura). The rest of the family, I know for a fact, didn’t watch it.

It seems wherever I go outside of Texas – I can only find CNN, NBC and that ilk. They are still Bush bashing. Get over it guys!

Till next time.

Cecilia Grace

There is nothing more special than a new baby, except for one – A new grandchild. And being able to spend time with the newest Holdgrafer grandchild is very special. As I sit on the rocker, holding that bundle of joy, I think of how blessed we are. This week is going to go by way to fast. Monday, during the flight from Amarillo to San Diego, I was remembering the joy of Erik and Marcello when they were born. Cuddling those babies was so joyful. And I was imagining arriving at Jen and Dave’s and getting to have Cecilia in my arms. I couldn’t keep my eyes open but my mind didn’t stop – and I would picture holding that bundle of joy in my arms. The 8 hr trip felt considerably longer than that. I was like a kid waiting to get to Disneyland for the first time. Every minute seemed like an eternity.

When I finally arrived I had all I could do to contain myself and greet Dave and Jen before I said “where is she?” And of course, I just had to hold that beautiful little girl in my arms right away. Jen is so good about letting me pick her up, and spoil her to death. Even if she wasn’t good about it, I’m the grandma and I can do whatever I want! Right?

The camera is over-heated daily with the pictures. I must take 10 pictures for every “pose”. Digital is wonderful because I can look at them anytime anywhere. Lunch with some old friends is only contingent upon the pictures!

The weather is beyond beautiful. It’s how I always remember San Diego. I know it’s not always this heavenly, but I know it must be specifically for this occasion. We’ve had walks in the neighborhood to show off our sweet new gift, and even a shopping trip. Jen swears she didn’t overdo it but she was pretty tired that evening. And today Cecilia was taken to the Symphony Hall for a “meet & greet”. She was a hit to say the least. And, let me tell you, Jen is a phenom at the Symphony Hall. They love her and can’t say enough good things about her.

And what can I say about Dave. He is as proud a “papa” as there ever was. He really needs to keep his button shirts unbuttoned so Jen won’t have to put the buttons back on! :) It is so fun to watch the new dad. He's become a pro at the changing table. I guess he and Cecilia have exchanged many secrets already.

Nick names are already attaching themselves to her. Dave’s starting to call her “Squadge”. He says it’s because of how she looks when they “swaddle” (new old term for wrapping in a receiving blanket), and Kristi is going to call her CeCe. I like “punkin” just because I’ve called all my babies and grandbabies “punkin”. It’s just cute. Jen thinks she’ll call her “Ceil”. That’s what my mom was called. I like that and so would mom.

I am trying to hold on to each day as with every day I realize I have one less day to be here. I’m already looking at how many times this year we’ll be able to be here. And what about seeing Erik, Marcello, Kelsey, & Cassandra? Oh why do my grandchildren have to be so far away. Maybe I need to move in with each them for 4 months out of the year! What say you guys? :) Forget the office, I’m off to be with the grandkids forever!!

I call Glen several times a day just to give him an update. And he doesn’t even ask about me – only Jen and Cecilia! I mean, what’s up with that?! Just because he couldn’t come out with me. Honestly, I can’t imagine how it would be if I couldn’t be here so I really do feel bad for grandpa.