A Week With Gramma G

Richie's mom blessed us with a visit this week.

She flew in on Monday. We thought her 10:30 AM flight was a 10:30 PM flight. A is a little different than P. Need we explain that we arrived at the airport late?

Gramma immediately set to work spending every minute with the little Bean.

She entertained him in the back seat of the car. She fed him Rice Chex. She sprayed his face with water. She sang "Old McDonald." She kissed his toes. She blew on him. She rubbed his belly. She gave him a lid to play with. She did anything--anything--to make him happy in the car.

She babysat.

She washed our dishes.

She swept up collections of dried-up food from underneath Luke's high chair.

She took us out to eat. (Cha-ching!)

She changed diapers.

She paid for gas.

She held Lukey all day, all five days. (22 pounds... a workout, for sure.)

And we could go on.

It was a wonderful week--thanks for coming, Gramma!


Before Gramma G flew into town, we had a Saturday-night picnic with the Sorbello clan. Most of us ate chicken. Luke ate his toes.




Coming back upstairs from the grassy picnic spot, Grammy toted Luke up in a pillowcase. Forget ethanol. This is good fuel economy here.


Then Sunday came. Richie and Bethany ate yogurt. Luke ate the lid.


Doesn't every civilized baby brush his own teeth?


He needed to freshen up that breath for the lady-babies, as he was going to make his debut in the church nursery that morning. (He only lasted 45 minutes in nursery, and then his number flashed up on the screen. Bethany went to fetch a screaming, traumatized boy. Perhaps he did not have 10-adults-on-1-baby attention like he's used to?)


After church, we went for a swim. Drowning in clothes was a more real threat than drowning in the water. Where's the baby under all that garb?


Drying off.


Rehydrating.


Showing off bottle tricks.


Sunday night dinner. Thanks for not putting that finger the OTHER direction, Luke. Keep it down, buddy.


Oh, so we take it you're full?


KISS! (A fast-approaching open mouth covered with slobber is his kiss these days.) (We love it.)


Fish lips. His latest trick.


Applesauce face.


Moving along at lightning speeds. (Trivia: What's wrong with this picture?)


His "pose," another frequently performed trick. (Trivia question still stands.)


"Monday's here! Gramma's here! I care more about the camera than the book!"


"Look, Mom! She brought me a hat!"


Now it's Tuesday, and somebody's up to no good...


The ladies were up to no good, either. Gramma and Mom dragged Luke to a mall, poor kid.


Gramma took Lukey out to the swings and returned with this cute sight. Bethany: "You can lay him down in the crib if you want, or you can just chill and cuddle." Gramma, with a grin: "I'll just cuddle." Good choice.


Later that evening we went to Chevy's for some south-of-the-border cuisine. Gramma smoothed Luke's hair into a little-boy 'do, and he charmed it up. (Hoping to be rewarded for his cuteness with a margarita?)




He loved those Christmas lights on the ceiling of the restaurant. Whiplash.


It's Wednesday, and Luke is doing more tricks: cruising furniture!






And eating furniture!


And yanking Daddy's ears!


And playing Superman!


Oops... Superman has fallen, in search of the Ethernet cord hidden under the couch.


And now it's Thursday, time to shop 'til we drop at all the stores that Canada doesn't have. Like Target. Don't mess with Luke the Serious Shopper...


Although the sunglasses were on clearance, there was no way we were going to buy them. He ripped them right off. How dare he have something connected to him. Getting him dressed and changing his diaper are battles enough!


There are those fishylips again...


Thursday night the Sorbello family came to meet up with Patti and play some wild bocce. Luke did more fishylips.


And he plucked clover. And ate it.


And he plucked Uncle Shiloh's hair. And ate it.




Friday morning came too soon, and Gramma had to go back home (thanks for loaning her to us, Grampa Tony and Auntie Mandie). We decked Luke out in a onesie brought from Canada and prepared for an Orchard Park photo-shoot.


The Gouthro-Armstrong clan.


Gramma and Lukey.


Miss you already!