#310 - Don't Like Texas Worries

First Oregon

This past Saturday, we endured an ice storm and power outage in Portland, while our daughter was being induced in the hospital. It wasn't a relaxing day in Portland.

Today it's Wednesday and the ice has thawed. Our granddaughter is coming home with her parents, this afternoon. There's lots to be excited about, except for the news in Texas.

Texas Freeze

Don and I woke excited about our day. The streets in our part of Portland were finally clear. We allowed ourselves a double-masked-dash into the grocery store, for celebratory flowers and a balloon. (We've been extra safe with curbside only, until now)

But the news of Texas was on my mind. It's unreal what we're missing back home. Many of our TX neighbors have been without power. Some who have power, have no water. Many have dealt with frozen pipes and then flooded homes. My phone has been beeping with group texts, comparing worries and problems. I'm suddenly extra glad we are in Oregon!

Welcome Home Charlie

Don and I decided to focus on OR instead of TX. We headed over to Heidi and Jamie's new home in Happy Valley. Love that name. For the first time I felt very glad that they moved from Austin to Portland!  We heard some scary stories about power outages in a maternity ward in Austin! So glad Baby Charlie missed that!

We got to the house and tied a pink (footie) balloon and some letters, to the railing.  
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Josie

Josie greeted us with more enthusiasm than usual. We put the tulips in a vase and left a little string of letters dangling from the counter.

We waited all day, hoping the new family would be released before dark. Fingers crossed that Heidi and Jamie wouldn't be too tired to welcome some grandparents for a bit!

Charlotte is Home!
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Luckily the parents were giddy to show off this sweet little girl. We headed over in the late afternoon.

Charlie looked pretty spiffy in her lamb outfit, in her little box. (Which is more than a box! There's a mattress in there!)  

Jamie couldn't have looked more proud. Since Heidi was busy healing in the hospital, he's had lots of diaper practice. Josie kept a close eye!

Connecting with Others

We FaceTimed with Aunt Chali and Uncle Scott. So happy to be able to connect with phones, when we're all so far apart.

Jamie showed Charlie to his dad on FaceTime. Thank goodness for technology. While they chatted, I watched Josie... who was watching Charlie. And I watched Heidi and Jamie's faces. So fun to see how delighted they are, sharing this little baby.

Sharing With Grammaloon?

Before long it was Grammaloon's turn to hold Baby Charlotte. It felt wonderful to hold my perfect little grand baby... but she's not really mine. It's so different than being a mother. This time I didn't do the work, but she is still a part of me. This is serious stuff to wrap my head around. I'm so proud of my daughter and so honored to hold this little baby. Why did I pick such a silly grandma name?

Everyone has asked for months, "What's your grandma name?"  I'm supposed to pick? I kind of hate that. So, I just took Loon, which is the nickname my sibs have called me for years. I added the Gramma and we'll just see. Luckily Charlie just gurgled and didn't judge me.

G-Pop

Don got into the action soon enough. I actually had a hard time handing Charlie over. 

I wasn't very good at sharing. I couldn't let go. I'll try to be better in the future... especially since I know there are other grandparents in Charlie's life. This job is all about sharing.

Laughing or Crying?

Don cropped this photo down. He seems to like this ridiculous face of mine. I look like I'm scaring my poor grand-baby. 

I promise I was not making a sound. This isn't a photo of me, introducing Charlotte to the Cry of the Loon! I was just feeling delighted, with Charlie's little squeal and her strong little baby muscles! I can tell she is headed for big things! 

Thank you Heidi and Jamie for sharing. We love you and we love your sweet new baby!
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