My Life.Feeding 3 dogs & 11 fish

Pictures in the 3 dog Gallery!!

It was Saturday March 14 and things had settled down in Seattle and we were able to video conference with Alyssa and Vince. Alyssa was unusually quiet as we talked and viewed each other via the miracle of the internet.

At the end of the conversation she mentioned that she was having some contractions that were coming three minutes apart. We encouraged her to call the doctor and after a bit of strong arming she agreed. The answering service told her to go to the hospital but being three weeks early she plain just didn't want to go!

We finally convinced her to go and to make a long story shorter...three hours later Blake Hayden Polhemus was born at 9:02 PM weighing in at 5 lbs 9 oz (18 inches long)!

We left Seattle very early the next morning after a sleepless night, landed in Sacramento, grabbed my car and drove 7.5 hours to the Corona Hospital to meet our newest grandchild.

Today is Tuesday March 17 and we are sitting in their living room with our new grandson who is crying!!  Got to go!!!!

The phone rang and on the other end I heard Sheryl's voice. It was the call that I had been waiting for and I had had the feeling that I would hear these words this past week.

Ira had left on Monday for a business trip back east. He was not due back until Friday. I just knew that our first grandchild would choose that time to make his grand entrance.

The phone rang on Tuesday night. Her doctor's appointment had revealed that her amniotic fluid was very, very low and the doctor sent her right to the hospital to induce labor. That evening they prepared her for the induction that would officially begin the next morning.

As soon as I got the call I began searching for a flight out. There was nothing left for Tuesday night and only two flights available for Wednesday morning. One was at 7:30 AM and the other at 1:20 PM. Sheryl assured me that the later flight would be fine and I booked the flight, called our dog sitter and called Ira.

The next morning I called Sheryl and she told me that they had begun the induction. I got into the car to drive to the airport, went through security and sat down to eat some lunch just before noon. The phone rang just as I put the first forkful of food into my mouth.

It was Sheryl and she called to tell me that their son had arrived at 12:05PM. I couldn't wait to get to Seattle and the hospital. Her labor had been fast and effortless..an amazing way to welcome a child into the world.

I made it to the hospital in record time and Heath met me in the lobby to guide me to the maternity ward. His parents who had traveled from Columbus Ohio had arrived before me! Meeting my grandson for the very first time was a sweet, sweet experience.

I am not usual big on grabbing other people's babies, but this was so much different. Heath placed him in my arms and I melted. As he snuggled, I took in the sights, sounds, smells and emotion of this new little guy. I held him for a long time.

Ira called and told me that he had cancelled the rest of his trip and would leave for Seattle the next morning. I picked him up at the airport, drove back to the hospital and later that afternoon we headed home when Hirsch was just a little more than twenty four hours old.

The house has been full of love with four grandparents and two parents beaming with joy at the sights of this new adorable boy.

He is a doll. Calm and mellow, he cries when he is hungry and soothes very easily. He is nursing quite well and basically in his cradle only at night when his parents are attempting to sleep. The rest of the time he is very content to rest in the arms of whoever wants him next.

Jane and Stan, Heaths folks reluctantly departed this morning but I know that Jane will be back very soon. Ira leaves tomorrow (Sunday) and I am staying until Tuesday. It was lovely spending time with the kids and with the Ackleys'!

One amazing event down and another soon to happen. Earlier today we video conferenced with Alyssa and Vince and she mentioned that she was having some regular pain!!  Uh oh..who knows...I will keep you posted!!!

Check out the link to the Pictures of Hirsch!!!

I added a new link to the Lincoln New Messenger. If you search my name, you can read my columns! I am becoming "famous" here in Lincoln!!  Too much fun.......

This weekend the rain gods gave us time off for good behavior when they decided to give us  two days of clear weather.  I am not complaining about the rain as we are in need of the rain but Friday and Saturday were spectacular and we took the opportunity to go to Reno. We love to travel to Reno and take our chances with the odds! But during the winter we carefully choose when we will get in the car and go.

Our rountine is to spend  two hours driving to Reno,  two hours eating and playing at the Atlantis our favorite casino and then spend the next two hours driving back home. It is a perfect mini get away. We started this tradition many years ago when we first moved to California.

To travel to Reno we have to cross over the spectacular Sierra mountain range. Summit is at 8000 feet and the drive is amazing, as long as the roads are clear. We actually bought a four wheel drive vehicle so that we could travel in the snow but we have yet to make that kind of trip through the mountains.

In this day and age, it is easy to check the weather and road conditions. Before we leave, I go online and check the weather, hour by hour and the road conditions. But it wasn't always that easy.

November 15, 1994 is a day that reminds us that when you drive through the Sierra you should never take anything for granted. As usual, we left the kids at home for the afternoon and set out for Reno.

In those days, "Cave Men" days, the internet was in a fledgling state. The only way to check road conditions was to call Caltran for marginal information on road conditions. If you wanted  to check the weather you needed to read the paper or catch the news on the radio or tv.

We set out for Reno and as we began to climb to the summit, it began to snow. I wanted to turn around and go home but Ira kept moving forward. We did have chains in the trunk and passed areas where we could stop and chain up. But Ira insisted that we were Okay!

Driving in our rear wheel drive Volvo we ascended the mountain and our front end skid, once and I begged to go home, twice and I begged to turn around and the third time we skid across three lanes of traffic from the right lane to the left lane, safely stuck in the snow.

It seems that we were probably one of the last cars to get through before they began to enforce the chain requirements and the good news was that the road was empty. The bad news was that being in "Cave Man" times we did not have a cell phone.

The four wheel drive vehicles that had snow tires finally began to appear and several people stopped to help us. One of the guys had a cell phone and we called AAA. The truck appeared and when we told him we were going to go home, he offered to just tow us down to an area below chain check. We arrived home safe and sound and a bit traumatized. We bought our first cellphone the very next day!

So when Ira arrived home from work last Friday and asked if I wanted to go to Reno, we headed up the mountain with two cell phones, GPS and a clear report about the weather and the road conditions. We ate dinner in an awesome New York style Deli and headed to the tables. I won a little bit and this time Ira left some money so that he could visit it the next time we head over the mountain.

Saturday I drove ninety miles to attend a party to celebrate the 80th birthday of my friend Joyce Georgetti. Once again the weather gods cooperated and I had an easy drive, no rain, in both directions.

It was a wonderful party and I was honored by the fact that Joyce wanted me to sit next to her! I was also touched by the fact that Joyce called me to make sure that I had arrived home safe and sound.

The heavens have once again opened and it has rained for the last two days. There is snow on the roads as you head up the mountain. I get soaked when I walk the dogs but at least we got a chance to take our favorite trip through the Sierra and up to Reno!!  Stay dry!!  Hugs Eileen

I am getting very familiar with the Parking Garage at the Sacramento Airport. I know exactly where to park so that I can cross the bridge that leads directly to the Security Check In area. By the time that I zoom away...to see the new babies, I will be a pro!

This weekend I traveled down to Southern California for Baby Shower #2. It was a wonderful weekend with time for a great visit with Alyssa and Vince, a chance to see some of Alyssa's friends from both High School and College and a chance to meet her new friends from work, the Gym etc.

Saturday, the day of the shower, started early as Alyssa had an early morning hair appointment. I sat and chatted with Alyssa and her Stylist as I ate the "to go" breakfast that was lovingly provided by ALyssa and Vince. Then it was off to run a few errands.

The shower was hosted at the home of Jana, a lovely friend from the Gym. Carrie, ALyssa's friend from College organized and facilitated the fun games, provided awesome favors and prizes and was in charge of invitations and RSVP's. She was the go to person!

The Grandmoms were in charge of the food! Vince's Mom, Connie , provided us with awesome blue punch, adorable Noah's Arc Paper goods and a delicious cake that matched the paper goods. Her added adorable bonus were chocolate covered pretzels that read "it's a boy" made by one of her friends who was at the party.

My job was providing lunch and at the suggestion of the hostess, I was able to order sandwiches and salads from a local sandwich shop. They food was fresh and delicious as they were still preparing the trays when we walked in to pick them up.

The afternoon was lovely filled with friends, relatives and even children who gathered for the common goal of welcoming our new grandchild. His name, Blake Hayden, was revealed at the shower. The Hayden is named after Ira's father, Harry Marks.

The next day, we had breakfast with "the "girls", Alyssa's Sorority Sisters, followed by a trip to the beach. We walked and talked as we strolled along Huntington Beach enjoying the spectacular weather and the sights, smells and scenes of the beach crowd.

Then it was time to go to the airport so that I could fly back home.  Two showers down and the fun continues. The next time I go to the airport I will be going to Seattle to meet our first grandchild and about three weeks later I will  fly back to Southern California  to meet Blake Hayden.It doesn't get any better than that!

Ira had the day off on Monday and since it was raining cats and dogs, golf was not an option. We walked the dogs as we dodged the rain drops, the wind, and whatever else was flying around in the storm.  Our mission was quickly accomplished and we hurried home.

After a great breakfast at a local establishment followed by a quick oil change for my car we headed home. The wind was still howling and so we decided to take an inside walk at the Mall. As we backed out of the garage to leave for the mall, the car rang. We have a fancy blue tooth system in our cars and the built in screen flashed the name of our son-in-law Heath.

"It's Heath, it's Heath" I said, as Ira pushed the green telephone button to answer the call. Since Heath calles us less frequently than Sheryl,  Ira and I both jumped to the same conclusion. We both were sure that Heath was calling to tell us that Sheryl was in labor. My thoughts whirled around in my head as I began to plan our departure to Seattle!

It seemed like an eternity but Heath finally said a calm hello and asked how we were doing. We said we were fine and on the way to the mall. He then revealed the intention of his call. He was writing a paper for his Master's program and needed to interview a person who was a "Manager".

We breathed a sigh of relief and, as we drove down Highway 65 Ira answered his questions. At the end of the interview, Ira took a breath and jokingly informed Heath that he was not to call us again until Sheryl went into labor.

Sheryl arrived home from the Doctor and after we laughed about the phone call she informed us that she was good for at least another week. We said goodbye and Ira pushed the red telephone button to disconnect the call. We laughed about our reaction all the way to the Mall.

Meanwhile baby watch continues on both fronts.  I am off to Corona this weekend for Baby Shower number two. In preparation for this trip, I pulled out and read  Alyssa's Baby Book. Once again I teared up as I remembered the stories of the birth and babyhood of Alyssa. Tucked away in this book were several premee diapers. Boy are they small! I can't wait to transfer this information to Alyssa and Vince.

Before I leave I am going to prepare my house for "Baby Watch". Mostly that means that I will stack all of the dog stuff on the counter and leave a bunch of contact numbers. I might even pack a bag, kind of like when you go to the hospital to have a baby. My pet sitter is good to go. I  just need to call her and leave.

"Baby Watch" is such an exciting experience but not as exciting and wonderful as it will be when we finally meet and hold our new grandchildren. I will keep you posted!!  Hugs Eileen