A Day with Our Newest Grandaughter!

We had such a wonderful day yesterday.

About 10:00 a.m. yesterday morning we finally got to have a loooonnnnggg visit with the newest member of the "Aporta" family. When we first arrived, April and Abby were on the couch looking the picture of elegance and beauty. There is nothing more beautiful than a baby nursing at a mother's breast.

Pappa, the baby-hog got to hold and caress Abby first and I was really wonderfully proud of how restrained I was not to rip her out of his arms, but I finally got my turn! We sent him to the swimming pool so that I could get down to some serious adoration.

Sitting there all snuggly, with this tiny, perfect being sleeping on my shoulder, put me in Nanny heaven. This child of my child, so helpless and precious. The squeeks, the sighs (hers and mine), the sneezes, all take on such significance.

I did manage to do an odd job or two around the house, I mean it's only fair, I couldn't very well sit there all day long with her, but I would have if I could! I made a huge pot of chicken soup for future days or nights when cooking isn't an option, and I cooked them a chicken dinner, with all the fixings. I think they'll let us come back. My son-in-law Nick said the nicest thing, which I will paraphrase, "that it was a nice way to start the weekend." Thank you Nick, I was very much touched by your sentiment. I know it was a wonderful start to ours too.

After final hugs, pictures and sighs we took our leave. It is a day filled with memories I shall cherish forever.

Life is good. We love you baby Abby.

Nanny and Pappa xxxooo

Time Change Blues

Hi Mommas,

I was listening to a pediatrition this morning on CBC radio. She made the following recommendation about feeding your little ones so that by Monday hopefully their schedules will be in sinc with the "real world".

Beginning tonight, feed your children 20 minutes later than you usually would. And put them to bed 20 minutes later.

Do the same tomorrow night (Saturday).

On Sunday, put them to bed at their usually scheduled time, forget the 20 minutes.

She reminds listeners, no carriage rides, no car rides, during this time, as you well know, they will be sleeping on you!

She says babies especially should be ready by Monday morning to have their schedules revised to the new time change.

GOOD LUCK ONE AND ALL! I hope it works.

It's Genetic!

Catie about 2 Murrayville!

Cathy about 2 on Lockhard Road!





Grandson Cameron with carrot tops! (above)

Pappa with sea weed!

I think the pictures tell the whole story don't you?

Too excited to sleep!

The birth of my newest,pink cherub has left me too excited to sleep. My heart and mind are in the hospital, wondering how the night has been for April, Nick and BB, er I mean, AA-Abigail Autum. It is truly amazing how the birth of one so tiny and perfect can make you react. All night long I have awoken from my slumber smiling and saying her little name over and over.

On the long drive in from Langley the moon was so beautiful. It was this ball of orange no longer a full moon, more a three-quarter moon. As we drove over the bridge that leads down to the tunnel, it was reflecting on the river in the most glorious way. I wanted to take a picture, but Pappa and Aunty Cathy said, "some things are just better rememembered". Two against one, no picture, but I will always and forever remember that lovely sight. A glorious autumn moon for a glorius new granchild, Abigail Autum. God is good.

Isn't She Lovely or Should I Say, Aren't they Lovely!!

After nine months of waiting and praying and dreaming our newest little princess arrived. Abigail Autumn arrived this evening and we couldn't be more delighted. She arrived early, like her cousins, because she heard her mommy and daddy talking about her and she just couldn't wait to meet them. She was so alert when we visited her, her big eyes open and looking around, sucking on her fists and ready to face the brave new world!

In the individual poll we took in our immediate family, Pappa guessed right, a girl, 7 lbs. 12 oz! Way to go Pappa!

We welcome you baby Abigail and we look forward to each milestone along your journey of life. May you be happy and healthy and as joyous as we all feel right now. We celebrate you!

How did we get so lucky?

This puts things into perspective

Where do you stand financially with the rest of the world? I know I'm always poormouthing, but I don't think I will do that anymore.

Try out this site to find out where you stand. You will no doubt be as amazed as I was! If it doesn't work out for you, then go to:

www.globalrichlist.com



I'm loaded.
It's official.
I'm the 793,757,388 richest person on earth!



How rich are you? ››

A Conversation with Caroline Mae

Last night when all of her siblings were tucked safely into bed, after her Thanksgiving Feast, Caroline was ready to tell us in the quiet of the evening, when all eyes and ears were her's alone, about her day.

Don't you just love how babies coo and croon? Those beginnings of vocalization. The facial expressions, so darling. The way the little mouth works out the sounds as they eminate. In Caroline's case her big, brown eyes, looking me straight in the eye. So very precious. You wouldn't dare look away. During these conversations, babies tell you everything--you just must listen ever so closely. Last night that was the conversation I had with our darling Caroline.

It was our first, and it won't be our last. I look forward to hearing so much more from her, I just know she will have a lot to tell me. She is wise beyond her years.

Go, Go, Go, Go, Go . . . . . Stop

Last night we have the most wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner at Earl and Silvana's home. There was food in abundance and everyone in our family, with the exception of Nick and April and BB (they were off feasting at Aunty Jolene's), were there and was it was wonderful.

The table was set so beautifully. And on each place was a napkin holder carefully and lovingly created by our grandchildren. Mine was done by Carly, it had all sorts of wonderful googely eyes on it and stickers and wooden craft pieces. The Queen of England wouldn't dare ask for better! And that was just mine, all of the rest were wonderful, and individually crafted with such care.

Sometime during the day Nona asked all of the children what they were thankful for and their responses were the Dinner grace, written down by and read aloud, by Cameron, twice, because he spoke it so softly. The children were thankful for so many things, Mommy and Daddy of course, but the one that stood out for me that I can remember was Caties-when asked she said she was thankful for her pillow. Amen to that Catie!

We shall I say, stuffed ourselves with Turkey, mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, baby sweet potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, also known as jam to some, mashed carrots and turnips (my daddy's favourite), brussels sprouts, bread and buns, and wine. We further indulged in homemade Pumpkin Pie with or without whipping cream-divine, and jewell pie and coffee. We were truly thankful that there wasn't more-our waistlines couldn't take it!

Both before and after supper the children were busy with these neat little Halloween Activity Books so wisely purchased by Aunty Amy and greatly received by the children. You are a star Aunty Amy for this quiet activity! But before dinner I should add, that all of the Men, Uncle Tyler, Papa, Daddy and Cameron were putting together this snap out and put together Fire Engine (now why was that Uncle Tyler?) purchased at the Richmond Night Market. I believe the men thought it was balsa wood, but Cameron understood it to be falsewood! But Pappa, the ultimate authority on wood for some reason, deemed it to be some sort of plywood. As for myself I like Falsewood better!

Maybe it was the turkey, maybe it was the wine,only 1 glass. I don't know what the reason was but I asked the kids did they want to go for a walk? Did they? Well they jumped into action, shoes and hoodies were found in short order and out we all went. We took a sidestreet to see the spooky house (getting ready for Halloween), we saw trees that were entirely yellow, and red. We saw the first stars of the evening.

Just the 5 of us, Catie in her stoller, Carly, Claire, Cameron and me. They walked along so nicely, telling me this and that about whatever it was we passed, so full of information. At one point I said, "if you want to you can run up to such and such a spot", and off they went. It was then that I remembered the old fun game of go, go, go, go, go, stop. They ran backwards, they walked backwards, they walked sideways facing out, they walked sideways facing in, they hopped, they skipped, they ran, they tiptoed, they jogged with such exuberence! What fun to watch these lovely grandchildren of mine so filled with life, laughter and joy. They are the greatest gift of all and I love them all for reminding me over and over again what life is really all about.

I hope that whoever reads this blog today has as wonderful a Thanksgiving Memory as I do. Blessings on your homes, Happy Thanksgiving!

A Thanksgiving Prayer

This church lady is grateful for so much, family, friends, health, love and laughter. I copy out here a prayer from the Lutheran Book of Worship for Thanksgiving.

Most gracious God, according to your wisdom the deep waters are opened up and clouds drop gently moisture. We praise you for the return of planting and harvest seasons, for the fertility of the soil, for the harvesting of the crops, and for all other blessings which you in your generosity pour on this nation and people. Give us a full understanding of your mercy, and lives which will be respectful, holy and obedient to you throughout all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

My Triplets Celebrate!

This is the first chance today (and it is already well past dinner time), to blog-in and add my congratulations to my wonderful family. A few months ago on BCTV, is it still called that?, a mom gave birth to a child on her birthday, and it was also her baby's daddy's birthday, and they gave the odds of such an occurence, they were pheonominal, but I can't remember for the life of me what the odds were, darn. Imagine what the odds would be if it were 4 April?

In addition to April 7th being my favourite day of the year, October 7th is right up there with Halloween and Christmas Day. I mean who couldn't love this date.

My handsome husband, my very first love since the age of 15 and he 18, has brought about many the celebrations, especially when we were legal, that is, one year after we were married in '67! All celebrations prior to that were all done illegally mainly at the Alcazar Hotel -- in the pub, people -- clean up your thoughts, by the Vancouver School of Art. Boy those were the days. Now today we celebrated and are already home from a very early dinner at Pasta Polo--we're getting old, I admit it! I adore this man. I am blessed.

After being married for over 4 years, we rejoiced the day we discovered Cathy was on her way! We were so excited, we named her two days after I discovered my period was late--that is how excited we were. I remember the day we found out, there was a big announcement on the news that Maggie and Pierre Trudeau were expecting their baby too, and we went, like, who's that? Big deal! We just knew we were in for a load of great days ahead. We took the prenatal classes in Kerrisdale, practiced our breathing exercises, level 4-we sang, You are my Sunshine, and everyone in the delivery room wished daddy a very happy birthday and the rest as they say is history! Our original, Cathy came into our lives with the same peaches and cream complexion she has today. She has always brought us so much joy, love and laughter. We are blessed.

Three years later with just as much joyous anticipation, and a little trepidation, because of the Dalkon Shield, Miss Amy arrived. We always joked that she would be born holding it in her hand! Thank goodness she wasn't! We took our childbirth classes through the Vancouver Childbirth Association, at a church in North Vancouver even though we lived in Richmond at the time and we sang, You Are My Sunshine during stage 4 of labour, and everyone wished Daddy a very Happy Birthday in the delivery room when you arrived. Your daddy picked out your name. He just loved that name from the start and I couldn't very well turn down such a heartfelt request to name one of our greatest gifts Amy. Amy our lastborn. Born in 50 minutes start to finish! She couldn't wait to get here and we couldn't wait to welcome her! Always a great source of joy, amusement and laughter. She has enriched our lives so very much. We are blessed.

Now today our middle gal, April sits and waits just like her momma did, waiting for her October Baby to arrive. Filled no doubt with equal parts of joy and anxiousness. She brings me back to my October days so many years past. We are blessed.

To my darling Triplets-A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, one and ALL! You were born to be a blessing.

I thank all of you for love. I am a wealthy woman and my life is so much richer because of all of you. I am truly blessed.