Dorky Blogger...Cat on Crack...PapaBear Penguin

Kind of a jumble of thoughts here folks...
APPARENTLY, I had a setting selected that kept me from getting all of your wonderful comments. Read the directions completely next time Nana! I have a horrible habit of "skimming" stuff. Moving right along.

Perhaps time for some soothing tea?



On my list last night were some teas for Greta to drink. Chamomile, Sleepytime and Tension Tamer. We chose for the first cup of tea... Tension Tamer. I opened the box to let Greta take a sniff to see if it fit her aroma needs. Ah, yet... licorice among other ingredients...smelled like a good choice...It was not just we who agreed! Partial, one their loving kitties, was in loud vocal agreement and beginning to stalk me as I proceeded to make the tea. I apparently had become his new best friend. Greta said, "Does it have catnip in it?" Checkng the ingredients, I was amazed. "Why yes it does", said I. And from the now wildly insane behavior Partial was exhibiting... we got confirmation. Who knew? Catnip in human tea? Leave it to Celestial Seasonings. After much of a struggle (he and I on the floor) I was able to secure the box of tea and make Greta a hot steaming cup. Greta was peacefully nursing Seamus. All was well... then....I had this brilliant thought to open a tea bag and rub it on one the cat toys. I did just that and naively threw the rest away in the garbage. Ah... that's done.. everyone is happy now... I proceed to give Greta a foot rub. But the "crack cat" was not letting up... " I want my fix!" Behold! He had found the source of his need! BANG! CRASH! Over went the garbage pail, spilling the contents of the loose tea on the floor. This was followed by a swift cleanup. Were was the cat for the rest of the evening? Sprauled on the catnip kitchen-flavoared floor in his glory. Gotta love it.
Seamus was up and down last night and PapaBear Jim took the 3:30am detail. He lovingly sat with his "wee" son for hours so to let Greta get some much needed rest/sleep. It reminded me of the father penguins.
[Each penguin egg’s father balances it on his feet and covers it with his brood pouch, a very warm layer of feathered skin designed to keep the egg cozy. There the males stand, for about 65 days, through icy temperatures, cruel winds, and blinding storms. And they eat nothing that whole time.]
And another day begins...

Move over Nannies and Watchin' for Meter Maids!

Since reading Jim's Nanny blog entry, I have been envisioning some media report, photos and all. So early this morning while Seamus and Greta were slumberng and Jim was preparing to reenter the work force, I began to create. I give you a special edition of "In the Limelight".

Back to reality...
Today was an eventful day for "wee" Seamus.
He had his first bath... what fun... he loved it.
We then took him to Dr. Chaudary for his 2nd week check up.Greta's comment was, "he better have gained with all the nursing I've been doing!" Seamus came through... he had gained 9 ounces over the past week.
And they got the go ahead to let Jim feed Seamus. Good thing for Greta, she needs some extra sleep.
Kathy K! Are you reading this? !!! Express and feed!

So... why the mention of Meter Maids again?
Well this time Jim was unable to join Greta in the doctor's office due to a rental car that was about to run out of gas. After adding enough fuel to get us home safely, Jim double parked in front of the doctor's building. As I was looking out the window down at the car, I noticed... OH NO! not one, but TWO meter maids chatting as they crossed the street towards Jim's car.
Luckily, they first stopped at a van parked in front of Jim's rental. So the ever ready "A-Team" gal that I am, I whipped my cell out and called Jim!
"Hello?", he said.
"Meter maids coming your way!, said I. Without even saying goodbye, Jim started the car up and drove off around the block. This time the ugly scene of getting a ticket was averted. TEAMWORK! And of course the CSI photo team was on the scene to capture the "get-away!"!
Oh.. the cow? said Meter maid. Gotta love it, huh? :o)

Poppin' in for a Repeat Performance

Well, I guess my mothering/nurturing skills aren't all that bad! Since Greta is not a happy camper with the two infections, I will return to NYC on Wednesday (very early!) to help them for the remainder of this week.

As much as I hate that Greta is suffering so, I am happy to have the opportunity to see them all again!


My wonderful and understanding husband has been so generous with his chauffeuring skills and kindness towards me and Greta and Jim and Seamus.
Oh.. Grampy...
We love you!


Off to get ready for my next visit with Seamus!
Oh.. and Greta.. and Jim!

What a difference a week makes! (updated)

I have noticed how much Seamus has changed.


And all in just one week of living on Mother Earth.

and then... papabear...

Parting is such sweet sorrow!

With mixed feeling, last night, I bid adieu to Seamus, MamaBear and PapaBear.

My time with them was magical beyond words. I will forever hold the experience in my heart to revisit whenever I want for sweet dreams. As I said in an earlier post, bearing witness to the birth of my grandson was wondrous experience. I have 3 grandsons. Each has given me the richness that fills my heart with warmth. When I think of Seamus, I will recall the moments holding this, as Auntie Teri referrs to him, the wee Seamus... in my arms... so fragile and trusting, the smell of his hair, the way he snuggles against the body without reserve. My memories are endless.

Thank you Greta and Jim for allowing me to tend to all your needs this past week. It has been a true honor.
I now leave you to the much required and respected need, and nature order of being alone, just you 3.

I would like to report that Greta and Jim are a true team. They have worked together to tend to all of Seamus' needs since his entry to this earthly plane. He will be well cared for and truly loved. Verklempt now! Ah.

As Cliff and I were trundling my belongings to our car to journey back to CT, we mused a bit of how it would be to live in "the city". I do love the area that "The Blau's" live in... streets small in nature, people bustling about, a bit of a village atmosphere.

NanaBanana :o)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTIE TERI!!!!!!

Auntie Teri!
Wee Seamus here sending out a big hug and smoocher oocher kiss to your for your Birthday!
I will attempt a song.. my first.. so be gentle...
la la la la la ....

It's Auntie Teri's Birthday today...
And all I can is is hip hip hooray!
She is a warm and happy Auntie to me...
She sends messages to me... with such glee.

I know that when I meet her one day...
We'll have fun.. joke and really really play...

So Auntie Teri I'm Seamus and here to say...
Have lots of fun 'cause it's YOUR BIR-IRTH-DAY!

Well, Auntie Teri?
You likie?
Love your nephew Seamus :o)

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAMPY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY GRAMPY!
Happy Birthday to Grampy!
I can't wait to see you again.
Oh... Nana misses you!
LOVE Seamus

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Seamus!

Purchased for Seamus' 24 hr birthday, yet celebrated on his 4th day...(hey, diapie changes and feedings more important... oh.. and some sleep...
I give you happy parents singing. The picture says it all.

Angry Meter Maids, Gentle Giants, Gorgeous Docs

Today was Seamus' first day out to meet the world. Any parent will remember those thoughts and worries of how their new child will be greeted upon beginning their journey "out there".

Well? The first "being" was less than kind. Upon exiting their apartment building, we were greeted by an angry meter maid who just had not one ounce of kindness left in her angry heart and proceeded to give Jim and Greta a ticket for parking on the sidewalk, even though Greta explained that they only had to put their 5 day old baby in the car seat! After some words from a less than happy mama, we moved on to take Seamus to meet his new doctor.

Jim skillfully dropped us off in front of the doctor's building to then go park the car.
Upon entering the building the doorman there was a sign: ID REQUIRED! HAVE IT READY! Greta looked at me and said, "I have none on me". Being the dutiful "DoBee", I was prepared to offer my country bumpkin ID. The gentle giant of a man behind the desk looked at Seamus in the car carrier and said, " You want to go to the second floor". Again, I asked, "do you want to see my ID?" Again, gentle giant said he was trying to help us and for us to be on our way to the 2nd floor. For me this was a message... See? there are kind people who will greet Seamus on his journey.

We then entered the family practice that houses the folks that will care for Seamus' health as he grows over the years. We were again met with only kindness and smiles. Seamus' doctor came out and ushered us into the exam room. He got a clean bill of health...
and only one "hurtish" blood test...



and has one gorgeous doc to boot!

Oh Baby! My Baby has her own Baby!

As Greta lay with Seamus nestled near the warmth of her body the other night, I thought this...
There is my grandson... warm and safe... and there is my daughter, warm and safe with her son...
my daughter, who not long ago, was in my arms warm and safe.


Some how, it reminded me of nesting dolls.
And as I type this blog entry, I then think of my own mother, who had her own 2 babies...
NESTING.. get it?

Good Eats, Sweet Dreams... & Mother Earth

I will try to catch you all up... while Mama is sleeping... baby is sleeping on Papa's chest.
Doing our best to keep mama well fed and hydrated. She is a feeding machine and needs good nutrition to keep that milk flowing for a growing and hungry baby.

And as you will see,
he seems to be satisfied...

this gives mama some satisfying moments of pleasure and contentment.

JUST Photos

Posting some of the latest photos taken.

Lotsa feet... one of midwife Karen's feet... Grampy holding his 3rd and newest grandson for the first time...
Seamus's feet... of course! ... and one of Midwife, Martine's feet with Greta's as she (Greta) is about to get out of the birthing bed for the first time on Seamus' birthday.

First Sunday

This is the first Sunday of Seamus' life.
Both mama and papa are sleeping with baby for the moment.

Nursing... a continuing work in progress.
Greta is a very patient and determined mom.
She WILL get this... she IS already.
I noted to Jim that Seamus looks like Robert Deniro in the movie Once Upon A Time in America that very last scene in the opium den after he (Seamus) has had his belly full of breast milk, gently laying against mama's soft breasts.

Papa got a record 3.5 consecutive hours of sleep last night.
Nana and mama tended to baby's needs.

Midwife, Karen, came and checked out Mama and baby yesterday.
Both are in good shape.
This coming week, Seamus will meet his pediatrician for his first visit.

Noon and all is well

January 26 (I think? heehee)...
Noon...
Perseverance pays off...
Seamus breast fed for 35 minutes! CONSECUTIVE minutes!
He is now peacefully sleeping Jim's arms, who is resting on the couch with his feet on a chair in the sun to give Seamus the much needed light, per the midwives suggestion.
Greta?
She has been fed, hydrated and is now in bed SLEEPING!
All is well in the Blau household.

Nana is about to get under the covers and get some shuteye herself.
I miss everyone in CT, yet know this is my place for the time being.
And...
when they decide that it should only be the 3 of them (meaning humans!) I shall bid them farewell knowing that I did my job to help them with the first days.

Nightie Night :o)

Nursing... A TAG-TEAM Event

As only an observer... and a frustrated one that that...
(this is my baby daughter who I am watching get more tired by the moment)

that aside...
I am determining that while the mother is the lead breastfeeder...
it truly is a TAG-TEAM Event.
Mama to offer the sustenance... (this is a short phrase for a whole lot that she does)
Papa to guide her as the "airport runway signal guys" do with airplanes taking off...so she can get the proper position...
and ... VERY IMPORTANT they have found... keeping the baby awake so he gets the proper amount.
Problem is... that once Seamus finally settles in on a good grip... (ouch)
yeah, I know that if a good grip is happening it should not hurt...'but tell that to Greta's breasts right now...
still hurts... come on people...
DIGRESSED... sorry.
So Seamus then begins to fall asleep.
Not a good thing if you want a full belly (the size of a quarter by the way)
and then a slumber long enough that Mama can get the much needed sleep she needs do the mothering thing for the first month's long haul.

I am witness to a true and TAG-TEAM effort between Greta and Jim.
They are walking the New Parent Walk for sure.

So... this is YOUR assignment, peeps that are with them from afar...
SEND REALLY GOOD NURSING THOUGHTS.
and send Seamus good energy to nurse then go to sleep for longer than 20 minutes!

As any mom will remember, the first month is the hardest.
They are on day 3 of that journey.

Updates as things progress.
NanaBanana signing off. :o)

4:44 pm Hello From Aunt Betsy

For those of you who don't know, AUNT BETSY is the angel sister of Mimi, Seamus' Great Grandmother.
Since her passing, many of us see on clocks, etc, the daily number, 444, that Betsy frequently played.
For us, it's her way of saying "I'm here watching over you with love."

Well, I know in my heart that Aunt Betsy watched over Seamus' entry into Mother Earth yesterday.
She would have been thrilled to share the journey with him.
But wait... she is... just from afar.

Still not much sleep being had... finding it in dribs and drabs when the baby sleeps.
Unless you are Nana, then taking advantage of the quiet to update the Nana Baby Blog!
PapaBear is out for a walk to get some fresh air... and some yummy food.
MamaBear has fed her bambino and they are peacefully sleeping as I type.
Nursing is progressing and finding a rhythm with each feeding.
The merconium has not ceased yet.
Egads... that stuff is lethal.

Antonio's drawing of mangos was loving delivered to the parents. He got great pleasure drawing it for his new cousin, Seamus.
It will go up on the wall next to the cosleeper.

So... late afternoon the second day of the youngest Blau.
All is well.

More as I can get it to you.
NanaBanana :o)

5:43 am day 2 of Seamus' Life

NOTE: Until I get my bearings, all posts will be to the point, with little or no images.

Since last, lots of diapie cleaning...
Merconium... what a sight...
oopy goopy sticky stuff that just keeps coming out of this little elfette.
Not much sleep being had by any of us.
Quiet conversation, low lights, lots of toast and cheese for MamaBear.
PapaBear holding his son against his chest.
Cats looking at this little bundle wondering what alien has invaded their domain.
To look around... one would wonder if a birthing had occured.
Pool already down and packed away.
List of "what to get at store" being compiled.

I miss my wonderful hubby Cliff...
could not have done my part today without him.
He was in awe of the entire thing.
Only thing that upset him was Greta's pain.

Baby sleeping... time to rest!

The Eagle has Landed!

as in...
WE HAVE A BABY!
January 25, 2007 at 6:36 pm a new soul entered our world.
My girl... yes! My girl, did it in about 4 hours, even surprising the midwives and doula!
She went into birthing mode and let her body do the work... well... you know...
She did the work along with Seamus' help, of course, but she allowed her body to lead the way.
And I was so proud of her.
What a miracle to witness.
Both Cliff and I were honored to meet our newest grandson upon his entering the outer world.
Mother Earth welcomes Seamus McCune Smith Blau.
Bravo to MamaBear, PapaBear and son Seamus. A new "Elfette".
The midwives were awesomely earthy women.
The doula was gentle and guiding the entire time.
Me? The gofer... And it was my pleasure.
I am gratefully tired, at 12:57 am on the second day of Seamus' life.
More tomorrow...
time for sleep.

Progressive Artwork

Have been wearing this t-shirt for days!
YES.. it is clean!

Random Blather, A Song and Messages from...

Scattered thoughts today kids!
I simply cannot focus for more than a few moments at this point!

Lyrics from a song. I envision MamaBear and PapaBear singing to Seamus...

the moment I saw you, I wanted to hold you... and keep you warm, on a cold grey morn... the moment I held you, I wanted to kiss you... and wecome you here, on the day you were born.
Here are what some "already-hangin'-on-Mother-Earth-kids" have to say to Seamus...

A Blau cousin says...
Hey man, it's fine here..
they hold you all the time!

A "down Texas way babe" says...

I know your parents! They are so scoootchy!
They will just love love love you!

A "tween" says...
I drew you a picture to welcome you, Mango-boy!
And there's more than enough Nana to go around!

Well... there you have it folks... my brain has ceased to function...again! Done for now...
I will be updating as things progress! ;o)