"In his domestic administration my father had this system . . . to keep a journal and insert in it all occurrences of any note . . . A record very pleasant to look at when time begins to efface the memory of events, and very well suited to get us out of perplexity: When was such and such a thing begun? When completed? What retinues came? How long did they stay? Our trips, our absences; marriages; deaths; the receipt of happy or unhappy news . . . An ancient custom, which I think it would be good to revive, each man in each man's home. And I think I am a fool to have neglected it." (Montaigne, Book I, Essay 35 (publ. 1580))
We had a fun Easter! PJ doing lots of prep work - which paid off - plus a fun if short visit from Patrick, Shane, Hayden, Spencer. They and the locals gathered here on Sunday (21 April).
clockwise from upper L: PJ made lotsa brunch goodies; working on the traditional EB cake; Sunday was lovely in the backyard (and the newish turf passed its first test)
clockwise from upper L: naturally things started at Unc's; Spencer and I explore the backyard per our usual M.O.; PJ''s core decorations await repose 'til next year; Five Crowns into late evening Sunday
Just perfect: grandchild #3 arrived safe and sound on Friday 12 April 2019. Congrats and thanks to Paul Jr. and Nedda. Leo Patrick Gales weighed 7 lbs 7 oz, measured 19.5 inches. I don't think he could be any finer.
please say hello to the delightful Leo Patrick Gales!
Arrival via by-appointment C-section, which permitted some planning. P&N went to the Scottsdale hospital on Friday morning. Nedda did, and continues to do, great. PJ and I visited the hospital on Friday afternoon and got our chance to hold the new arrival - those moments are delightful, they literally glow, always make you think about quite a number of things.
we were so happy to meet this little fellow, long-awaited, here he's maybe a couple hours old - wow
After a short break (during which PJ and I toasted Leo and his parents at Kovo), we were back to the hospital for Friday evening carryout-dinner-in-hospital-room and some delightful Leo-holding.
getting acquainted; these two (OK all three!) will spend lotsa time together . . . just imagine
The grandparents took turns babysitting Roman (Mina and Saeed taking the first shift) - then PJ and I stayed overnight on Saturday at Paul & Nedda's house and had a quite fine time with Roman. Including moments we don't otherwise get - such as his pure delight when you go get him out of bed after his nap, and especially when he woke up on Sunday morning. (I mean, Roman is kicking his legs and crowing as I pick him up out of the crib.) He is a very good boy.
a little family is together at home for the first time here; Roman greets his brother by name at 0:10 (also the walk-off is quite fine) -
But this was Leo's weekend, and his parents's, and it is the best blessing to have Leo with us and off to such a great start. A family of four now.
We've learned that video monitoring has been S.O.P. with babies for quite some time now (whether app or camera based). This would have saved quite a few check-up trips into the baby's sleeping quarters back in the day (not always accomplished as quietly as desired).
As this photo shows, a side benefit of this technology is the chance to capture some photos that might otherwise be unobtainable. Really like this one (taken on daddy's birthday - 9 April).
