Teen Versus Toddler

We are in the middle of a ten-day stint of keeping three of our grandchildren while their parents enjoy some time alone. I hope to post pictures soon, but in the mean time I wanted to share a conversation I heard this morning between Shane, 18, and Carson, 2. Carson: Uncle Shane, what are you doing? Shane: Washing my hair. Carson: Are you washing your hair? Shane: Yes Carson: Uncle Shane, what are you doing? Shane: Eating breakfast. Carson: Are you eating breakfast? Shane: Yes Carson: Uncle Shane, where are you going? Shane: To school. Carson: Are you going to school? Shane: Yes Shane: You know Mom, he's like one of those noisy toys that you want to turn off.

Finally--Benjamin

Here he is at last, already a month old. These pictures were taken during his first week while Ellen and her family were here. Ellen got to rest, Karissa got to play with Nana and Gabe, and Daniel got to work on a painting job for us. The rest of the family was on a trip out east for college and family visits.

Bedtime--Then and Now

From 1990 to 2012 not much has changed. Joey and Keith reading by night light when it was bed time, Joey's children Carson and Keira positioned under the window during nap time. Thanks, Jamie, for sharing the moment!

Eight is not enough...

...because now there are nine. But I really wanted to post this picture that I was able to take of the 8 just 9 days before Benjamin Thomas Kleven arrived. I believe I may actually get to put up the pictures from our recent family reunion and baby Benjamin in the next day or two. We'll see...

Karissa, Veda, Sadie, Vince with Eva, Keira with Cameron, and Carson

I wish I had a picture of the jumping, clapping, hollering parents behind me who are to be thanked for getting all eight to look in my general direction at one time!

Granddaughter Eva Pearl

I got a call at 10:15 last night, "Hello, is this Nana's Child Care Service?" I said, "Yes, it is," and off I went to spend the night with Vince who had no idea it was time to become a big brother. Keith and Coley left the house at about 11:30 and Keith had me make a guess as to what time the delivery would be. I told him, "No later than 3:00." I got a call at about 3:30. Eva Pearl was born at 2:50 (April 27th), weighed 8 pounds and was 20 inches long. Vince was happy to see Nana when he woke up and his first words were, "Nana play cars?" Apparently, early morning play time is not Vince's normal routine, but it's what he does with Nana. We played a little, read some books, got dressed, and went to meet his new sister. He wasn't too sure about what was happening and was not too interested in this new baby. It was a pretty unusual development for our little thinker and he was definitely going to need some time to process everything.

Eva doesn't look at all like her brother. Having two children who look very different is usually surprising to parents. You just expect your kids to look similar. I remember, after having Joey, thinking that our next child would look just like him because that's just what "we made". Vince has his Daddy's eyes and expressions, but he sure looks like Nicole's baby pictures. Eva is already being said to look a lot like her Daddy and some of his siblings. I have to agree.

I loved seeing her gaze so intently at her Mama!

The scratches on her face were inevitable. Can you believe the thumb nail?! I didn't see it, but believe Coley when she said her toe nails are just as long.

My mom, Grandma J, would have loved to meet this little girl, and know her name. She had a very beloved aunt named Eva who loved her like a mother after she lost her own. I think I'll just have to do my best to give this little Eva enough love for both of them.

Grandchildren Update

I have this picture set as the background on my computer and seeing it reminded me that I didn't post our December group photo. They're tired, battling colds, and somewhat confused by all of the parents clapping hands and snapping fingers trying to get them to smile! At least everyone has their eyes opens and nobody's crying.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of six of my seven cuties (photos of Cameron coming up next month)!

Carson--the eyes say it all, mischief, trouble, and plotting for action! You can just tell there is an endless well of energy simmering below the surface of this rambunctious little guy. He runs and throws and jumps and moves on to the next things before you've figured out where he's just been. This is exactly how I remember many little "White boys"!


Keira--she kept patiently sweeping her tongue back and forth trying to eat this ice cream as if she wasn't quite sure if really had it or not. Keira completely stole my heart (as if she hadn't already) in December when she followed me around with hands up saying, "Nana, up?" with quiet persistence and patience. It paid off, we skipped cookie baking in exchange for Keira-holding and book-reading.

Vince--the boys give it away with the eyes. Vince's piercing brown eyes are contemplating, calculating, and just figuring it all out. He just delights me with his huge grin and gleeful "Nana!" whenever he sees me walking up to his house through the window. I swear this guy has some secret intuition and knows when I'm coming.

Karissa--lively, spunky, persistent and joyful. She has the same sing-song-ey, cracking voice that her Mama had as a toddler. I hadn't even remembered Ellen's being like that until I heard Karissa in a cute little video spelling home--"H--O--M--E....home!" Add to that her favorite answer of "Yep" and we just can't help laughing.

Sadie--easy, content, and scheduled. I don't remember "schedule" being part of my vocabulary with my babies before they were 6 months old. But Sadie knows just what she needs and when; and, as long as Mom obliges everything is fine. She likes bolting her meals, going to bed early, and getting rocked by her Daddy.

Veda--bright-eyed, cheerful, and eager to go. Veda likes a frequent change of scenery both with places and people. She wants little to do with a schedule because you never know when something unexpected might happen that you don't want to miss! Veda loves attention, ceiling fans, and her Daddy.


I just love having three of these little ones close by and really, really can't wait to spend some time with the others in the coming weeks!

Cameron Asher or The Best-laid Schemes of Mice and Moms (although I don't know what mice have to do with it)

Here he is!
photo by Wendy Maybury

I actually did make it to see Cameron and help out with the twins this past week....sort of. We waited until Gabe had been fever-free for 48 hours and Lisa and I were without symptoms before setting out for J&J's. We were there for a whole 23 hours. Jamie tried rather unsuccessfully to console me by claiming that I was "a lot of help" for the day.

Lisa, Gabe, and I left our house very early Tuesday morning so we could be there when Joey left for work. We played with Carson and Keira and snuggled Cameron while Jamie slept between feedings. Our day ended at 9:00 pm when I laid down with Gabe to get a good night's sleep for the next day. The stomach bug woke me up at 11:30 (no need for details). Fever and headache took over at 5:00. I was packed up and headed for home with an ambivalent Gabe and a very sad Lisa before Jamie and the kids were up, hoping to decrease the risk of further contamination. I 'limped' home, slept for 2 days, and prayed that I didn't give Carson and Keira the bug for their birthday. So far, it sounds like that prayer was answered.

So, I'm sorry Jamie for leaving you with more cleaning work than the day of rest was probably worth (she put muscle to the prayers and lysoled the house).
I'm sorry Carson and Keira for not spending an extra three days playing with you and going places and picking out birthday presents (Happy 2nd Birthday to you both!)
I'm sorry Cameron for not taking a single picture of you during our one fabulous day together.
I'm sorry Joey for not getting to play that new game with you.
They were all MY losses!!
It'll have to be rain checks all around. I hope I can cash them in soon!

The picture at the top of the page and the three following were taken by Jamie's photographer friend Wendy Maybury. I am not trying to pirate her work, but just want to share her beautiful pictures of our adorable new grandson.



photo by Wendy Maybury

photo by Wendy Maybury

photo by Wendy Maybury

Sad Face Day

Carson and Keira are sad because Nana is not there. (OK, so I took some liberties interpreting this picture--taken on Christmas Day.) I'm "supposed" to be with them right now, playing with them and holding their new brother. I'm not.

Cameron Asher will be two weeks old on Tuesday and I haven't met him yet. Two weeks may not seem very old, but I met all of our other grandchildren within the first ten hours of their lives. Cameron was born on January 24 (Uncle Troy's 19th birthday). He weighed 8 pounds 7 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. Granddad and Nana were in the middle of a 10-day getaway, trying to recuperate from life and responsibilities and a schedule that had left time for each other (much less blogging and many other things) almost non-existent.

I don't regret not being here that day. Cameron won't remember it, Joey and Jamie understand it, and Keith and I needed it (oh so much more than we even realized). I do, however, wish I was holding that little boy tonight. Even so, I do not regret staying home today. Last night Gabe surprised everyone with an erupting stomach. Keith spent 5 hours holding Gabe in one arm and a bucket close to the other. When the stomach settled down a fever spiked, and here we are. Carson, Keira, and Cameron (not to mention J&J) need to be healthy more than they need my help (which would come with Gabe's germs).

Hopefully, I'll get over there soon and get some happy pictures of everyone. Then I can put up a true "welcome Cameron" post.

Welcome Veda Dawn!

At 6:31 am EST (this morning, November 19) Chet and Priscilla welcomed little Miss Veda Dawn into the world (pronounced VAY-da). This beautiful little girl weighs 8 pounds 5 ounces and is 20.5 inches long. Priscilla was admitted to the hospital at noon yesterday with high blood pressure and early signs of pre-eclampsia. There was talk of having to induce her amid some concern for her health. God answered our prayers and not only brought her blood pressure back down; but, just as they were beginning to set up for an induction her water broke and labor proceeded naturally! Priscilla felt like she was birthing "forever" because she had spent the entire day in the hospital, but her actual labor was only 9 hours long and everything went very well. Even though she claimed her make-up all got wiped off during labor I think she looked every bit as radiant as Dana.

Two babies in two days! It sure brings back memories. Dana was born just two days after her cousin Mark and she is excited and hopeful that these two cousins will have as much fun growing up with each other as she and Mark did. The two girls are just 27 hours apart.

I mentioned in the last post that we were all together for supper on Tuesday night, but what I failed to include is that we had a cake for dessert that I jokingly named "Labor Cake". It was actually the top to Chet and Priscilla's wedding cake that has been in my freezer for just a few weeks shy of two years! Yes, we all braved it and actually ate a piece. It survived quite well and tasted pretty good. I don't know if it had anything to do with bringing on their labors (both in less than 72 hours). But, just in case there's anything to it our advice is: Save your frozen wedding cake until you're ready to go into labor. And if you want the exact recipe you can contact Priscilla's dad for the recipe (yes, he made her wedding cake).

Here is Veda with her Daddy, her Granddad, and Uncle Gabe.

Veda, 8 hours old, sleeping with a little bit of a scowl

Chet, 24 hours old, sleeping with his own little scowl

Nana holding my 4th granddaughter, the daughter of my 4th child (I just have a thing with numbers!).

Welcome Sadie Jean!!

At 2:12 am (this morning, November 17) Dana and David became the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl. Sadie Jean weighs 7 pounds 7 ounces and is 19 inches long. Wonder-woman-Dana only had 4 hours of labor. I went and saw her this morning and she looked radiant and way too lively for not having slept at all last night. David looked great, too, but I won't say radiant (I think he'd prefer I kept it that way).

Both Dana and Priscilla were here for supper on Tuesday night (both overdue) and I suggested that they each have their baby on the 17th. Our first four grandchildren have birthdates with the numbers 1 and/or 7 in them (11th, 17th, and 7th) which makes it very easy for Nana to keep track of! You can't get any better than 11-17-11. Apparently, Sadie thought it was a good idea because she complied beautifully!



Unhappy Baby Sadie

Almost 21 years ago, an unhappy baby Dana

Holding my 5th grandchild, daughter of my 5th child.

Family Baseball Bash Weekend

As a family grows up, adding spouses and another generation, it gets more and more difficult to get everyone together. You fall into the "holidays, weddings, and funerals" routine. But those are never good times to just relax and be together, having fun, and living normal crazy family moments.

We made the "normal" (which is now everything but normal) happen last weekend. It was opening day for Little League (and no child wants sibling fans more than a Little League player). There was also a high school double header and nothing else on the calendar for the day. Invitations went out and it actually worked out for everyone to come home!

We hired a babysitter to stay with the three toddlers at Keith's house so the adults could reminisce late into the night. We spent our first evening telling baseball stories from the past. I made a baseball memory collage for each player/fan and we passed the photos around to help jog rusty memories. When it comes to sports, and baseball in particular, these people needed no help in jogging memories. They remembered scores, counts on the batter, placements of pitches, fielder errors, opposing players, and everything in between.

Our children represented 18 years of baseball/softball, 60 seasons, and innumerable hours of fan bench time. Here are some of the memory lane highlights.

Little Troy Wanna-be ball player

Little Shane Wanna-be ball player
Keith's high school team trying to hurry spring along

Ellen, one of many family catchers

Bryce, practicing for a future catching position

Joey and Keith with coach Dad (who is in his 16 year of coaching) with their team at a Woodchucks game. Keith is sporting the stylish red shorts and Joey is immediately behind him and to his right. Those wide, flat-billed hats are coming back.

Joey, our sole south paw pitching.

Troy and his glove were inseparable
Chet, flanked by high school batboy brothers

Four boys were on one team that year, Keith and Chet as players, Bryce and Owen as batboys.
Dana, our fifth child and fifth left-handed batter. Joey taught them well.

We've decided that the high school coaches look at the last name of our kids on the roster and say, "White, OK, outfield." Perhaps for good reason. Chet showing how it's done.

Shane spent hours in the backyard pitching against the brick shed wall. He and Troy played whole series against that wall.

Lisa had her first practice and team pictures on our Baseball Bash Saturday. She's finally graduated from fan to player.

Another highlight in the lives of the spectators was to run the scoreboard, and they took it seriously!

Chet--most likely stealing home in some unorthodox situation. His favorite challenge was the suicide squeeze. A few younger brothers got in trouble trying to imitate him.

Joey and Owen cheering on Chet's state tournament Little League team.

Going to the state tournament brings the news. My older boys all know this reporter's name and said he's now a big shot sports announcer for .... a Chicago station? I love Troy in this shot. The little brother crowding in to be part of the big brother's success. In his younger days Troy was known for his "gawking"--no better way to learn than to keep your eyes open and pay attention.


Saturday's weather was cool, windy, and rainy--about as miserable as baseball weather can be for old fans and babies. Our high school field added a beautiful facility that has indoor ringside seating with huge windows and heaters for the less weather hardy. We had an indoor picnic and spread our group out between the comfy seats and the outdoor stands. The team won both games, the second win came with a walk-off double, the win being the first time we led in the game. Troy and Shane didn't have their best games but they enjoyed the motivation and cheers from all of the added voices.

We had planned to have a photographer take an outdoor famiy picture after Owen's Little League game, but the cold weather was too much for our little ones and we headed home to try to get a decent picture with my non-professional camera.

Carson was crying, the other babies and Gabe were looking everywhere but the camera, and one of the teens (wonder who that was) keeps claiming he "didn't know that was the real thing".


We resorted to having everyone clap and cheer to amuse the babies and then quickly strike a pose and see what happened.


This was about the best we could do, but with 22 people, empty stomachs, 4 babies, etc. I was pretty satisfied.


We ate, goofed around, and took more pictures.




Keith jr., the big Brewer fan, gathered everyone who was wearing Brewer gear for a photo.

Joey, a rival Cardinal fan, had his own team support.


We managed to get the four babies lined up together. I call this one, "Best used before November 2011". Lord willing we will have 2 more to add to the grandchildren photo then.


While Carson, Keira, and Vince were heading to bed a group gathered around the piano to sing. I didn't take very many pictures because I just wanted to enjoy the time. I did grab the camera and caught about a half a minute of an impromptu acappella song.






Our final activity was a game of telephone pictionary. As we finished the round and each person's stack of papers came back to them we all read through our papers. Joey started to laugh then the laughter turned to shrieks and tears. I didn't have a video camera close by but I recorded the group review of his papers later.





Joey later commented, "I don't remember when I last laughed so hard." Jamie reminded him, "It was when you were home with your family."

There's something about family that lets us "let go" and relax and be comfortable and really laugh. I think maybe my new favorite holiday is going to be whatever our last impromptu gathering was. Thank you to all of you for making it home and being together!