Time Travel

There is a certain cleft chin on this one... 

... but no one could figure out where it came from for a long time.

Grandma Leslie solved part of the mystery awhile back while I was going through some old family photos when she suddenly said, "That man in the picture – he has a cleft chin!".

The man in the picture turned out to be my great-great grandfather Herbert alongside his wife Maria: 

They are posing for a photo that must have been taken circa 1900 in Russia. They were prosperous enough to afford a photo when photos weren't easy to come by and it's clear they had to stand quite still for it even though great-great-Grandfather Hubert looks like he's about to fall over despite the propping stick. I suspect there is another (and much bigger) stick just out of field on the right.

I don't know much about these people to be honest, but I do know that they were Germans living in Russia and not long after this picture was taken World War I happened and Germans weren't especially welcome after that. Many fled, giving up their land and livestock and only took the things they could carry.

The only reason I have the photos I do of my ancestors are because someone considered them important enough to carry. They travelled over land and sea and land again. It was a long journey. My Grandma was a 6 year old child at the time who showed up in Canada speaking 3 languages, none of which were English. English was her fourth language and she never lost her accent, even at 99. Herbert and Maria were too old to travel when they had to evacuate. They were put on a train – likely to Siberia – and they froze to death before they reached their destination.

There is another picture from happier times though, and although I'd looked at it before I only noticed the other "that man" a few days ago. He has a cleft chin too, but it's a small one like Seth's. He also has a certain smile I recognize and I'd be willing to bet "that man" had a few shenanigans up his heavy coat sleeve or at least a few tricks under his hat. 

I don't know who he is other than a distant relation from "the old country". I imagine he is related to Herbert, but whether he's a son or a grandson or a nephew or a cousin twice removed... well, that's anyone's guess.

The one thing I do know is that a certain chin made it's way through a lot of time and space to end up on Seth's face. 

I call it "Mommy's spot" and give it kisses especially often. 

As for time travel... I'd have to say it's definitely possible and even quite probable if you're willing to wait.

- L.

PS. This post wouldn't be complete without a picture of Nate who stood so still and was so good about it he eventually enticed his brother to stand still enough for a picture too. 

Nate also has a "Mommy's spot" and it's on his face also (and when I figure out how to take a photo of it you'll be the first to know). No worries – it gets plenty of kisses too.

99 Years, 3 Months, 7 Days

A full life lived. Veronica Manning passed away today at 6:45 AM PST.

On behalf of myself and my family, our deepest gratitude to everyone who prayed and kept her in your thoughts during what turned out to be, with great mercy, her last few days.

• • • • • • •

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!"

"Gone where?"

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear the load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!" there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: "Here she comes!"

And that is dying. 

– Henry van Dyke 

• • • • • • •

- L.

Veronica

1952. Veronica is back row, center.

It would take a novel and then some to tell you about my Gram – about who she is and how very much she is loved and everything she means to our family and the legacy she has already left for everyone who has been honored enough to know her. The way I mother my boys is a testament to that. 

Despite a 3rd grade education and English as a fourth language after she immigrated to Canada 93 years ago, she accomplished more in her life than most. Sadly, the past 3 years of her life have mostly been spent in darkness since she can no longer see more than shadows and quiet since her hearing is all but entirely gone. Dementia has taken most of the rest in the past year.

And now she is dying – slowly. Her kidneys are failing and she has a respiratory infection. My Gram is in a lot of pain, despite sedation. She is 99 years old.

My mom called me in tears yesterday and asked me to pray that God would deliver her into His arms, which I did. My Gram has fought her way back a few times over the past decade and I never doubted she would, but now is... different. There is no recovery when your vital organs start shutting down.

She's frightened since she doesn't know who or where she is, and she's in a great deal of pain despite sedation. She's been combative, understandably. No one, least of all Gram, would want this for themselves – so today I am asking anyone reading this for prayers and peaceful thoughts that her passing is soon and as gentle as possible.

• • • • • • • 

Gram has lived an incredible life and with the exception of the past couple of years at least had her wits about her despite living in a dark and quiet world. And she's been happy and surprisingly mobile.

At 96 she was still living in her own apartment with an assistant that came by once a week for baths and light cleaning. She was 97 and living in a care facility when my boys were born and was still quite sentient. A few months later she started asking when her parents were coming to visit and after that things went steeply downhill.

Yesterday when my mom went to visit her, the staff asked for the first time if funeral arrangements were in order and said Gram could pass tomorrow or a month from now. When I spoke to my mom last night I said, "well, it's Gram so you know it's going to be at least 3 months" and we had a sigh and a little laugh, but also it's probably true and so it broke our hearts too.

Dementia stole her away nearly completely this past year. Coupled with her very limited hearing, if she was talking at all it was about events of the distant past. Of course, a great deal of what she had to say was also gibberish, mixed with paranoia and fear – each of these hallmarks of a cruel disease.

Two weeks ago out of the blue she asked about "the twins" which are, of course, my boys. This fairly recent memory somehow surfaced for her and I know how very much she loved knowing I was pregnant and was having twins. We were all surprised that she was able to recall any of it though, given everything. Perhaps it was because she'd about given up hope that I would ever have a child – much less two – when I became a mom. I know how much she always enjoyed stories about them when she still had a foothold in reality and was able to still hear at least a little.

• • • • • • • 

When I first heard the song "Veronica" years ago, I loved the tune but frankly, it didn't strike much of a chord otherwise despite the name. At the time, the woman in the song couldn't have been more different than my Gram.

Over the past few years, however, it's become fairly poignant and never more so than right now.

- L.

PS. There's a story in the picture that I can't quite recall other than that it had to do with some chickens that went south on her eldest daughter's wedding day and that when the photo was taken she was busy thinking about those chickens. Maybe Gamma Rita can fill in the details in comments.

Christmas Leftovers

I was hoping to capture a little of the magic from last year, stealing a few kisses by the Christmas tree with my best guys. Nate was into it, but Seth was not.

Pretty sure I'm in mid-windup here but Nate was a little distracted.

That spot on ceiling always been there, mama?

Much better. Subject is engaged: 

Going in for the kill:

*smooch* *smooch* *smooch*

Mission accomplished!

• • • • • • •

To be honest, I'm pretty surprised any of the pics with Seth turned out since he was only in my arms for a quick minute. Oh sure, things look OK here: 

But he really wasn't having it – not at all.

I so over 'dis. You put me down right now please or things is gonna get ugly.

And so we moved on.

• • • • • • •

Nate, on the other hand, was all about having his picture taken that day and had a great time playing "slide" on Gamma Rita's knee:

Seth was suddenly (or perhaps still) preoccupied with getting as many ornaments off the tree as quickly as possible:

Or maybe he was just camera shy all of a sudden. 

And words can't say enough how much I really, really wish I'd had the camera in focus here because this shot really says it all: 

- L.

Happy 18 Months!

It's not easy trying to get two fidgety toddlers who are ready for their morning walk to sit still long enough for a few quick pics. 

Thank goodness a lady happened by walking her puppy.

Puppy, Mommy? Puppy?

Which got everyone's attention.

Puppy! Puppy! Puppy!

The world definitely needs more ladies with puppies at opportune moments. Even serious Seth had to give it up and smile. 

Happy 18 Months to my best guys – serious, smiling or otherwise.

And yes, that is my mom – formerly known as Gamma Rita, recently redubbed Gabba-Ga – out for a summertime visit. I'm not sure she's wild about her new title, but if the guys enthusiasm for Gabba-Ga is any indication, I have a feeling it's going to stick.

- L.

98

98 is how old my Gram, Veronica, is today. 

She is mother to 7 children who survived birth, grandmother to 13. She is great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother to more than I can count at the moment. Her life is a testament to the power of the human spirit to triumph under what was at times great adversity.

When it became clear a few years ago that she would need to be moved to an assisted living facility she did so with grace, which couldn't have been easy given her independent nature. The picture at the top of this post hangs in her room and my mom penned the following words that accompany it so that those looking after her could read it and know that she hadn't always been just another elderly woman in their care.

Our Mother loved, protected and provided for all of her children unreservedly. She set before us an example of fortitude in overcoming every adversity in her life. 

She embraces life and everyone in it at their own level and is a Godly example of how to love and forgive. 

Veronica has left each of her children a legacy of love, strength, wisdom and faith to take with us and to teach our children. 

Although it's not likely my sons will ever meet her in person, they will grow up knowing her nonetheless. Her legacy is already a part of them.

Happy Birthday Gram – wishing you much joy on the anniversary of your 98th year, and every day.

With all the love in the world,

- L. (AKA Mousie)

Happy New Year Everyone!

Happy 2011 everyone! 

And Happy 11 months to my two best guys!

- L.

Hi Everyone!

– Uh... Nate?
– Er... yes, Seth?

– What's going on here? Who 'dis lady?
– Umm... well... 

– 'Dis lady not mommy, yet something strangely familiar here.
– No, she not mommy. She gives pretty good cuddles tho'. 

– I have to say I is most vexed 'bout 'dis non-mommy person. Is like someone I met long, long time ago but can't quite place.
– You have to admit she smell kind of nice too. 

– Yes, OK. Smells good and cuddles is pretty good too. You got a point, Nate?
– *giggle* Hi everyone! I is playing a joke on Seth. I know who 'dis nice lady is the whole time. 

– OK. What is going on here?
– I'm sure I doesn't know what you mean. 'Dis not seem perfectly normal to you? 

– 'Dis thing here. With the hands! And the feet!! And...
– And?
– Hey, wait a minute... 

– ... it's Gamma Rita everyone! I can't believe you not figure 'dis one out Nate. And now that I solve the mystery all by myself I can finally say "Hi everyone!" just like old times. So here goes... Hi everyone! It's us – and it's Gamma Rita too!
– *sigh* You is crackerjack sleuth alright. 

- L.

Rewind: Our Great Auntie E.

– Dis nice lady Seth. She bought us these cute onesies.
– Yup. She spoiled us silly. Very nice lady.



– So why are we crying our heads off again?
– Oh, dis so she won't be too sad to leave us.

Auntie E. was supposed to join us for a few days when my mom arrived, but had to postpone her trip at the last minute since she woke up sick with the plague the morning they had planned to leave Vancouver. Still, everything worked out nicely (other than said plague) since she was able to fly out towards the end of my mom's stay and meet her grand-nephews after all.

We all had a nice visit and Auntie E. brought Nate and Seth lots of presents (like the onesies they're wearing in these pics!) and these little piggy banks with their names engraved:



– and filled with their very first $1 of course! Very sweet.

Thanks so much for everything Auntie E!

- L.

Rewind: The Baseball Edition*

– Oh, I just love baseball Seth.
– Me too. Gamma sure scored a home run with these outfits. Mine says "Slugger".
– Mine too. See?



– Dat's pretty cool Nate.
– Yup. Pretty cool.



– Guess what I'm doing now Nate?
– Hmmm... practicing your slide?



– Yup. 3... 2... 1..
– Look out home plate. Here we come!



– It's a touchdown!
– *sigh* I think dat's football Seth.
– Doesn't matter. It was fun. I feel like we're forgetting something though.
– Only the best part!
– Oh, right. Maybe dis nice Gamma will help us demonstrate...



– It's our BASEBALL BUMS!!!
– I don't even know what that means Nate. Mommy and Gamma says we's adorable though. Is we?
– Oh, we is Seth. We is.

*Mommy Note: I'm still trying to get caught up on posting from our visit with Grandma Rita so there will be a few "Rewind" entries sprinkled in among the newer posts for the next little while.

- L.

Our Hiatus & The Aftermath

I apologize for the break in our regular posting, but it's been a busy two weeks with Grandma Rita visiting us. She left for home late this morning and we're still adjusting – some of us better than others.

This, for example, is the face of a very sad baby:



Now, it could be a case of the sads brought on by the imminent arrival of our first teeth, or maybe mommy was just late with lunch.

BUT!

I've never really seen quite this look on Nate's face before, at least not for a prolonged period of time. It's always pretty easy to get a smile out of Nate – but not today. He wasn't crying or making any noise really – just looking sad and a little watery around the eyes on and off (although mostly on) for a couple of hours in the early afternoon today. I think he was missing his Gamma. : (

Seth was more or less business as usual – perhaps a little more animated since he was making a grab for the camera here:



And although it's far from being a good photo I'm posting it simply because unlike a lot of the pictures on this blog, you can really see what beautiful blue eyes he has – and so I've added it just because.

I think that's all we can manage for today, but there is a folder on my laptop with about a truckload of pictures in it and as soon as I can type up the stories behind them all I'll be posting as fast as the babies will let me.

It was a lovely visit, but the hiatus is over. We're back.

Thank you for your patience.

- L.

Worth More Than 1,000 Words

Grandma Rita + Seth and Nate = awesome.











- L.

Last Saturday

I'm getting behind on posting with my mom visiting us, but I'm taking advantage of a quiet moment around here to add what I can.

Last Saturday M's brother got married and I was able to get a really nice picture of me, M's mom (AKA Grandma Leslie), Nate, Seth and the two great-grandmas, Bea and Edna. It was the first time Edna had met her great-grandsons and so it was a nice moment and a great photo to remember it all by.



M. and I took Nate and Seth to the ceremony so we could do a meet and greet with as many of the relatives as possible following and then M. took the babies home so my mom (AKA Grandma Rita) could have a nice evening alone with her grandsons babysitting and so we could enjoy the reception afterwards.

Unfortunately, the boys kept us pretty busy during the ceremony so we spent most of it in an adjoining room (soundproof I hope!) tending to the babies and doing some major clean-up. Note to self: never take the babies anywhere important on a full stomach and always, always, ALWAYS bring a change of clothes. Oh well – it was a learning experience!

The bride looked lovely, btw. Congratulations to Brent and Karen! Karen – you're officially Nate and Seth's auntie now and they couldn't be happier about it. : )

- L.

We Got Kissed Silly

– Dis my getting kissed silly face.



– Dis mine. I's a silly now too.



– Dis what a happy Gamma looks like Seth.
– Yup. Dat's a happy Gamma alright. I don't think I can feel my cheeks anymore though. You?
– Nope. Totally numb.

- L.

They've Been Warned

Well, I've done my level best to prepare Nate and Seth for the arrival of Hurricane Rita (AKA Grandma Rita) and her sidekick sister Auntie E. tomorrow at 6:30 PM EST. I didn't have any luck finding baby scuba suits, so I guess the boys are on their own as to how they're going to survive the deluge of Grandma R's slobbery kisses and tears, which will be abundant I don't doubt.

Although, in her defense, my poor mother had to wait 39 long years to become a grandma and then I made her wait another 4 months and 2 days to fly out and meet her grandbabies – because I'm a BIG MEANIE like that – so none of us should be surprised if the babies are half drowned by tomorrow evening.

Still – you can't help but feel sorry for the poor little guys.



– Will this blanket be 'nuff you think?



– Dunno. I has a terry cloth. Dey hold plenty of slobber.



– OK, me too. Bring it on Gamma – we's ready for you!

*sigh*

Oh, those sweet, innocent babies - they have no idea what they're in for. I'd better gather up the blankets and look for higher ground because there's a big wet front about to blow through.

- L.