As noted with my photos and video, I was able to spend time with the little girl, and her GranMaRose yesterday. Afterwards, we spent the evening playing games, drawing, etc., and Jordan (Lailah’s dad) drops by, to drop off Lailah’s little sister Ruby, for the girls to spend the night with GMR. Most of the evening, I played with Lailah, and GMR played with/watched Ruby. While I was watching … [Read more...]

A memory from a year ago. Katie McCormick ==== Got another look at the littlest little girl tonite (still at the hospital with her mom & dad). Ruby woke up a couple of times for a couple of very short two to three second periods of time. Didn’t hold her tonight, but got a very short look at her beautiful eyes before she closed them again. Ruby’s mom is pretty exhausted from lack of sleep … [Read more...]

Further 3-4 min video of the little girl painting her pumpkin. … [Read more...]

Friday night: nothing. Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, Saturday night: nothing, sitting round the house. Sunday morning: tidying & cleaning the place because “company” is coming over, “highly” motivated, super-excited. Sunday Afternoon: three and a quarter very special hours with Lailah. Priceless! Sunday evening: still riding the wave from this afternoon. ==== And, poof, and just … [Read more...]

True story. Laugh of the day. To set this up, you have to be made aware that my short driveway is on a very slight incline. I go pick up Lailah from her parents house earlier this afternoon, we then went to the local grocery store, and bought two medium to large size pumpkins, and also some of the pumpkin decorating tools, and gizmos, a Halloween cookie baking mix, etc. I pull into the … [Read more...]

So, you know how FB informs you of your friends birthdays? Today, it told me that a former colleague will be celebrating his b-day in a couple of days. Being “curious”, I went to his FB “about” page to find out how old this gentleman is, and I found something which rang home with me, his email address is MacysGrandPa@whatever.com Over the last few yrs, he’s posted a number of pics of his … [Read more...]

I’m on the bus, riding home, directly behind me are two women, with a toddler and a baby, all of whom are making tons of noise. And, you know what?? I’m ok with it. Seven years ago, I would be having a cow, giving them the evil eye, quickly turning my head around, and just as quick turning it back to facing forward. I would be steaming, the steam would be coming out of my ears by the … [Read more...]

I had a FaceTime call a few minutes ago. It was the little girl, her baby sister, her mom (Katie McCormick), and her cousin, Kenna, calling to wish me a happy birthday. It was so nice to see and hear from all of them. Warmed my (crazy, sentimental) little heart. They truly make me feel special. I love all of them to the moon and back. Thanks, Katie for dialing my number for Lailah. … [Read more...]

Just might have to do this with the little girl. Not sure about her drawing abilities at age six, maybe I should wait until age eight or so? https://www.facebook.com/WatchCut/videos/824066267756262/ … [Read more...]

Spent the afternoon and evening with the little girl and her baby sister yesterday (along with GranMaRose). Drove up to Orchestra Hall (big mistake, due to 35w construction Downtown) to hear some international music. We listened to two different groups outside, near the WCCO studio park/garden. One group played African drums, the other group sang with guitars, etc. After a couple of hours, we all … [Read more...]

One present of the several I bought for Lailah this Christmas that i didn't wrap (since I obviously had bought too many), was Mouse Trap. I set it up today (for the next time she's over baby sitting me), and while it seemed similar to what I grew up with, it was different. So, I did some of my usual Wikipedia research, and found a pic of the '60s game which then led me to another game I played … [Read more...]

Jordan and Katie (Lailah's mom & dad) drive over to the house this morning to pick something up for her. Jordan comes into the house, leaving the two girls (mom & daughter) in their running car, keeping themselves warm. It's just too cold for them to go through the effort of unbuckling her, walking to the front door, just to walk out again with the thing they were picking up. Made perfect … [Read more...]

A lot of you have seen my various videos of Lailah, mostly in the breakfast nook, but sometimes in the living room. During those LR videos, I've tried not to show the area where all of her toys are kept. It's under a 3' by 6' table where on top, I've kept the beginnings of my model railroad "layout". (The model railroad has its own story and that's not the purpose of this essay (other than to … [Read more...]

BEST. PRESENTS. EVER. Here I am, having just unwrapped both of my b-day presents from Lailah. The first was a set of new play-doh colors (sparkled, of course). The second was a play-doh toy that makes play-doh ice cream cones. Both presents were very well received by the big guy, since he had scoped them out at the toy store one day with Lailah in tow. Lailah obviously cared enough to "insist" … [Read more...]

I bought a new doll for Lailah a month or so ago. Gave it to her when she was here, a couple of times ago. She immediately tells me "...She's 'creepy', GranPa..." I ask her what she means, thinking it's because of the thing sticking out the doll's head. "No, GranPa, her glasses are creepy!" And, asks me "...can we get rid of her glasses?..." Yup, of course. They were attached with small permanent … [Read more...]