Cozy and more cozy.....

It has been the most delightful week. Lots of time to spend with our "little man"....who loves his baby carriage as much as I do!!!!

As you can tell, "little man" is very in love with his Mommy too....and the feeling is very mutual.

We gave a try with the "Moby Wrap" and decided Donovan is a bit to bitty.

But he is growing like a weed and will be ready to spend some close snuggle time with Mommy soonest.

But there is a lot of love to go around and we have decided that Gramps has a new name....the "baby whisperer".

Gramps has only to put Donovan on his shoulder and he goes right to sleep

.....ahhhhh!!!!!

Molly is never one to be far from being cozy either and is always

cuddling at Gramps feet. It has been a nice relaxing week

....and tomorrow should be anything BUT.

We have a BIG celebration tomorrow....one that we can hardly believe is here!!!!

I will be sure to sharing lots about a certain Miss who is reaching a HUGE milestone !!!!

Birthday Season....

This is a happy and busy birthday season for our family.

Today we celebrated Gramps special day by sharing a great meal at a very fun Italian cafe!!!!

Clare has very discerning tastes for an "almost" one year old. She happily ate part of my panini and especially liked the mushrooms!!!

Eating all your meal means that you have earned dessert ( Grandparent rule). So we all feasted on some gelato and frozen yogurt....YUMMY!!!!

It was a LOT nostalgic spending time in San Juan Capistrano. Thirty four years ago ( almost to the day) I stood in front of this train car knowing I was in labor with our first baby.

Now I had a chance to stand in the shadow of that baby for a Mom and Son hug....it was wonderful!!!

Even more touching was the moment my baby stood beside his sweet wife and held HIS baby on his shoulders. Can time really pass that quickly???

A further nostalgic moment came later today. My dear Mom has saved for ALL these years the carriage I pushed our babies in.

I know this generation doesn't "get" the need for a baby carriage, but after a night of scrubbing and polishing, I am determined to push our sweet Donovan around his neighborhood in warmth and comfort. I can hardly wait!!

And speaking of WHEELS....this is what my sweet hubby treated himself to for his birthday!!!

I guess a silver Prius will be his retirement car....I knew I messed up when I ran short of time to buy him a gift!!!!

More birthday excitement coming this week.....lots to celebrate, and lots to enjoy!!!

Feeling Swell....

I love those moments when life seems to go smoothly and sweetly...and even more so when I can find time to spend in my sewing room!!!

My favorite line of ALL TIME has to be Swell. I keep it safe and warm in my sewing cabinet, almost to the point of being a hoarder!!! But I brought out just enough to make this cute Spring Bag. I need something styling.....

....because I am going to meet Susan Branch!!!!

I have adored her books and illustrations for as long as I can remember. So when this invitation popped into my email, my sweet hubby said YES we can go ( actually he is going to drop me off....not sure HE is that big a fan ).

We will spend some time at our favorite Apple Farm, and you know if I can, I will be sure to get some pictures!!!

Yes life has been sweet...and I even got to spend time with my favorite Valentines!!! Donovan is growing and growing, and such a snuggle bug.

And our sweet Clare came to visit too...and is keeping her Oma very BUSY!!!

She too is a snuggle bug and sat happily in Gramp's lap while he read her a favorite story. Clare and Gramps are both recovering....Clare from her eye surgery and Gramps from a NASTY bout of E Coli ( hope it wasn't something I fed him)!!!!

SEW...that catches you up with what is going on in our lives. Hope your days are full of sweetness and joy too!!!!

With Love and Kisses....

Without a doubt...there has been a love fest in our lives,

and I am wishing the same for you.

Happy Valentines Day XXXX

Things are Hoppin'.....

There sure has been a lot of joy in our lives the past few weeks....and it is hard to believe how one little fellow can keep this family HOPPING!!!!

Ever since his joyous arrival, we have been very busy, but we wouldn't want it any other way.

But routines are being established and Mommy and Daddy are doing great without all of the extra help.

SEW....it was time to play with some fabric, and work on some small but fun projects. Thinking ahead to Spring meant a scalloped table runner to brighten our table.

I have had a list of tutorials I wanted to try. Everything from scalloped hand towels, ruffled pillows and a cute clutch made from my favorite SWELL fabric.

There is such a peace knowing that Donovan is here and is so happy and healthy.

It brings smiles to ALL of our faces!!!!

Back to sewing.....

Things are feeling more settled....and I was ready to spend some time in my sewing room.

Using up a bit of this, and a bit of that.....

Because you can never have enough cloths......

When you are burpin' and chillin' .

The Sweetest of Guests....

When Dustin learned Meghan was in labor, one of the first phone calls he made was to his boyhood friend J.Paul. It didn't take long for J and his gorgeous wife Kristen to pop into the car and drive to San Diego from Sacramento. They arrived at 1am in the morning.

I offered our home as a place they could stay and along with all the blessings of this wonderful new baby, I have bonded with two new and dear friends.

J. Paul has always been there for Dustin. They have shared joys and sorrows and he stood beside Dustin when he married Meghan.

Now he is "Uncle J." and Donovan could not be luckier!!!!

Kristen is not only lovely, but "oh my goodness" a FONT of knowledge.

She has been a nanny and now works for Kaiser. She was the "go to" person for all baby questions and anything about labor and delivery.

She was a HUGE blessing.

The boys spent much time in the "Man Cave...actually the garage ", while we girls supported and encouraged Meghan as she learned to nurse her sweet baby. They would happily come in for our family dinners.

The evenings were spent sharing funny stories or watching movies. I know Dustin and Meghan felt loved and supported.

They went home early this am, and I only asked that they do NOTHING when they left. I have plenty of time to tidy and clean and wanted them to only relax and enjoy.

I found this on the pillow this morning. Unexpected, and very appreciated and further instilling in my heart what a darling couple they are.

But the funniest moment had to be when I was searching for the house key I had let them use. They must know me MUCH to well, because they left it in my candy dish. How did they know that is where I go first thing in the morning?

So the week has been FULL of blessings. Our baby is thriving, his parents are doing incredibly well and I found out I had more family than I had even known.

God is good.....very very good!!!

I made a discovery......

There is only ONE thing better than having a GRANDCHILD.....

It is having GRANDCHILDREN!!!!

My heart is overflowing with love for both Clare and Donovan.

Home in his own bitty nest.....

Someone was very ready to see his new home .

Mom and Dad were looking forward to their own bed ....not that we anticipate a LOT of sleep in the days to come.

There were flowers to greet them,

and someone who really couldn't wait much longer to have everyone home again.

Life is looking very sweet for this family.

We all want to thank the many people who have called, sent emails and left blog messages of encouragement and love. I promise to send a more personal note when things are a bit settled down. For now I am looking forward to LOTS of cuddling.....how wonderful a new baby is.

We couldn't be happier....

Please enjoy a See's Sucker, or maybe a chocolate cigar to celebrate the birth of.....

Donovan James who weighed 7 lbs 12 ounces and was 20 inches long....

His Mommy and Daddy are very happy with their arrival....

.....and so is Gramps!!!!

I have NEVER been prouder of our daughter.

She had a completely natural birth and was as calm as could be. Dustin was an amazing coach and to see her gaze into his eyes for support brought tears to mine.

We are off to visit our bitty Grandson. Most of this afternoon has been spent with my sweet little Miss so her Mommy could meet Donovan too.

I had forgotten how small babies could be, and how short the span of babies being content to be held and rocked was!!!!

I have never been happier...I have never felt more blessed!!!!

Today is the day.....

This is the day we have been waiting for....Mommy and Dad are laboring as I type this note.

Say a prayer for this bitty family that is already feeling so blessed.