Let me think about what all has "gone down" this year for us.
The New Year started out quite tamely. We celebrated the New Year in here alone. I believe we went to Lacey's New Years Day just to have some time with them. She was awaiting the birth of her newest addition soon. We were sort of on pins and needles about it too. We all tried to be calm and cool, but I know in the back of all of our minds we were thinking what would we do if we had another baby like Ava. Look at me. I type us like I was having the baby. lol. I guess we are so close with them that it is like it is happening to us too. As it truly is! Anyway, all the doctors checkups were great, everything was right on the nose as far as normal progression. I had a program on my Facebook page that kept track of where the baby was. It was neat to see how it was supposed to go, and did. I never thought of doing anything like that when baby Ava was on the way. This time I wanted to follow more closely.
Oh, I was there close when Lacey was expecting Ava, but was really in quite a fog about the entire process. We were helping to babysit Hunter and I was loving every minute of that. I know how lucky I have been to have them so close and to be able to see them and be with them so much. I wish we could be closer with Jodee's family and with Jesse and Todd too. Maybe someday! I keep hoping that Jodee will get an offer she can't refuse closer to us. Even an hour closer would do! There was some talk about her being in the Waterloo area, but that has not happened yet that I know of....
Anyway, I digress....
I don't remember much more in detail of what was happening during this time of the year. Soon February came and Lacey's due date was fast approaching. Everything went as it should. I am happy to say that on February 6, 2013, pretty little miss Penelope arrived. Lacey had gone to her regular appointment and the Doctor told her that it would be soon. She was told that if her labor did not start in the night, to come in first thing in the morning. She did that and had to wait around a long time in the Doctor's office. When the doctor did arrive, she sent Lacey over to the OB and they soon admitted her. Penelope arrived later that evening. We got to take Hunter over to see her about 6:30 p.m. She was so tiny! 6 lbs 10 oz. I think. Memory is fleeting now days. I will be seeing Lacey this evening, maybe we can talk about it then. I have a few things I want her to clear up about when Hunter and Ava were born too. I have blended those two happenings together and canot remember details about either one anymore. I tried to get it straight about when Ava was born, what happened with Hunter and I remember we were going to head home and I remembered that we did not have any milk at home for him. The Casey's store was in the old location still in Lake City where the Hospital is. I stopped and got a gallon of milk someway. So, it had to be shortly after closing, which I believe is Midnight. So I need to get that cleared up with Lacey. I wonder if she has written any of her experiences down. I will see if I can get on her about doing that. At least to have her tell it to me and then I can record it for her!
Only for my information truly because I am forgetting way too many things that I don't want to forget.
Yes, I am being selfish. Period. Nothing wrong with that~!
Let's see....to continue....
I took lots of photos of baby Penelope on my phone, but alas not too many on regular camera. Mine died and I am not too happy with either of my ones I have now. The first was my Christmas present, but it never worked right. I did not do my research before buying it. The second one I bought with my own money (which came from my husband, he had to make sure he told me) It was over $200.00, but I really do like it. I have just been too lazy to investigate how it works. I cannot even remember what brand it is! Now that is bad!
We have spent a lot of time going up to see new baby and Hunter. We have done a lot of Babysitting and I love that. But, I started having Nose Bleeds and they were doozies! Some of them did not stop for hours! I knew it was caused by my blood being too thin, or probably was, but had to do a lot of going to the Ear Nose and Throat doctor before we got them under control. I am talking months! There I go digressing again! I am really good at that, lol.
My Birthday passed in April without much adieu. Never does anymore. No gift, no celebration. Something just seems wrong about that to me. Am I wrong? I even remember putting a question on Facebook about it. I did get some really nice Birthday greetings on there. I wanted a cake but didn't get one. I guess I have to buy it for myself from now on. I am going to be 64 next Spring. I think I will throw myself a big Party...all I have to do is to mention it around Mindy and I'd bet I will get one! I wanted to buy a present for myself, but this year I could not come up with anything to want. My laptop is on it's last legs. My small computer won't turn on and off anymore. Not sure if it is fixable. Now this Computer needs a good cleaning out. I keep putting that job off....not my idea of fun. Must put that on my to do list soon!
May and June passed....cannot even remember anything beyond spending time with Hunter and Penelope. Lacey was home for a while before she returned to work at Gowrie Pharmacy. I believe she went back some time in April...must ask her about that too!
She applied for an opening in the Hospital Pharmacy and what a rig a marole that turned out to be. A real fiasco! They said she did not pass the physical! I wish she could have sued them on that. Unfair hiring practices for sure. But it turned out to be her good fortune instead of being a big blow to her self esteem. She took it in stride, at least on the outside. So, as she was licking her wounds from that experience, Mindy said that they were looking for 2 people in the Friendship Haven Pharmacy. She applied there and got it! She had really good references and that helped I am sure. I would like to say she got it because we knew the C E O, but she did not even know that Lacey was our daughter. I don't know if she would even remember me from when I worked there those 5 months so long ago. She was the head of the Human Resources at that time. I was just too tired to work that hard for very long. I was my heaviest then too. I still have not gained all of that weight back. I am getting close however. I am tackling that again right now too. Details at a later date. Anyway, Lacey absolutely loves her job now. They treat her like family and that is ideal in any job. They are really good about working with her when she needs to leave early or needs a day off too. As anyone should be when they hire someone with children. It is good to see that things are slowly changing, at least in some businesses.
Update: Fast forward to 2016, April. I have lost some of the weight. I am struggling to get under 200. I lost the 40 I intended to but it took a while! Larry lost a lot too. I am not sure how much he has lost, but he has his BMI right where it should be now. The Grandkids are growing up so fast! The weather is finally sunny after a week of rain. Will go ride my bike soon. That is it for now!
We remember so well the first time we took you to see Thomas at the Train Station in Boone. Your eyes were full of wonder as we made our way around the area. So much was happening at once. It was difficult to know where to look first! You took it all in stride and did not even seem to mind the crowds like we did. I think your Mommy was having as much or more fun than you! Let's face it, the Kid still lives in all of us. I could not stop smiling. We spent the morning there and were pretty tired troopers before we headed out to go eat Lunch. What a day. One we will never forget. Thank you so much, Hunter. You have brought us so much Joy. It brings back the memories of when your Momie was little too. Part of you looks like her and part looks like your Daddy Scott. There were many things your Momie did that you now do. It is such a thrill to look at you and remember how she was growing up. Our day shines so much brighter with you in it. That will never change! Hugs from Grandma Kate 
