Palmer

 This is the introduction and my recording of life when grandbaby #2 arrived. He is truly a bundle of joy.

All 7 lbs. 9 ozs. of him. He looks like his brother Tucker did when he was born. 

First picture.

This is an overload of pictures of him when family members have met him. Intertwined in the pictures I will tell you a little bit of life going on.

Lindsay and Tyler were supposed to go in on midnight, July 20th to start the induction. Jeff and I picked Tucker up around 7:00 PM that evening to stay with us during the birth. At 9:20 the nurse called and said they had a run on deliveries to call early Wednesday morning on the 21st to see if things had settled. There was the keyed up feelings with all of us as we awaited his birth. 

Palmer James Maxey

They arrived at the hospital on Wednesday morning to start the process. Then they were told an emergency C section was going on after they arrived. You may sense a bit of bitterness on my part and you would be correct. I will try to give facts only as I am not one to dwell on the bad, but one to try and focus on the positive and steps forward.

Lindsay really wasn't attended to much during the day. I know she felt frustrated and at 7:20 PM the new nurse who had just arrived on duty came to check on her. I know the times because I was talking to her and heard the nurse walk into her room. She texted back that she had told them her epidural seemed too strong and she wanted them to check on things. She left saying she would come back in a minute, so I texted Lindsay since it didn't seem like it was going to happen right away maybe she could FaceTime Tucker to say goodnight.

Tucker enjoying a popsicle with Gus on a hot day to make the time go faster.

Tucker was concerned about Mommy and getting that baby out. It was all he talked about. We got off the phone and grabbed a book to read.

The time was 7:50....a text came through from Tyler that it was coming NOW.

The coming wave of anxiety and flow of water wasn't known here.

Jeff in all his goodness did what he has done for all of our family's history. He was going to gather us around to pray for Lindsay and the baby. He had just said, "Tucker, do you want to pray for Mommy and Baby Palmer."

What transpired instantly and left Jeff and me with our mouths hanging open was simply amazing and I have yet to find a good way to document it.

Tucker immediately slapped his hands together and said something like this...

Dear God, I love you, help Palmer to get here and take care of Mommy.

Mouths agape and sitting in shock, the phones go off with a picture of baby on Lindsay's tummy. 

Yes, 7:55 PM was the time called out for his birth. 

The prayer was many things... it let you know Tucker's heart, it was a display of his parents teaching every night to pray, and if ever there was a model prayer and a demonstration of Jesus and the little children I know not one. 

At one point, I look over and Jeff has tears flowing down his cheeks. He said we need to remember what he said so we can write it down, so that is what we did. 

Tucker went peacefully to sleep. 

He has not wanted to be away from Mommy.

The next day we headed out to see them. We really didn't thing Tucker would be able to go in. Tyler had intended to just take him out for some lunch, but he got to go in.

He loves him but has also done what a two year old does at this age...show out occasionally.

Now, in all these pictures, you may think everything is just picture perfect. Lindsay has had the postpartum anxiety return. That is my absence from the scene. We had hoped she wouldn't have it this birth, but not to be the case. AS of today, she is doing a bit better with some medicine.

Mimi is in love.

Also, she has no bladder control. This is not leakage. We have gone back to the doctor as this is not helping her state of mind. IT is wait and see game, but trust me this mama will not let anyone slack on their job.

PaPa's first hold.

Let me back up... the nurse that walked into that room delivered Palmer. The doctor had run home to eat since she lives right behind the hospital. One funny in all of it is she told Tyler to grab a leg and Lindsay says she remembers her arm flying up in the air. He grabbed an arm rather than a leg. 

Palmer is doing wonderful and that is the one and only area Lindsay seems to be totally fine with. She has him on a schedule and doing well. Her anxiety manifests itself in not being able to sleep and panic attacks that she will never sleep. 

Grandma's first hold.

Uncle PAP and Aunt Katie's first hold.

I am writing this to let people know that postpartum stuff is real as Lindsay is usually one cool cucumber. 

Time is our friend on both accounts. Palmer is growing and so precious. 

Tucker with Harbor Docks stickers. There is a story behind them. I will maybe share that another day since it is getting long.

Tucker with Palmer. 

Tucker's hospital stay involved a horrific hurricane and the aftermath.  I thought many things that went wrong then were because of that. Palmer's involves being delivered by the nurses. All around both have left with a less than feeling about the hospital. 

Anyway, we are moving forward and looking the future and solutions.

Blessings abound!!!

I don't have much to write about other than little Palmer and Tucker for now. I have an overload of pictures still to share so be prepared for awhile.

Sandy

Palmer

 He is here. I really don't have time to write more than that, but Mom and son are doing well.

7 lb. 9 oz.

A Stitching Post and a Random List of Thoughts Swirling

 I hadn't thought I would do a post this week since we are awaiting Palmer's birth. However, I have been a busy bee since very early this morning and I am sitting down with a busy mind. 

I finished Palmer's name on Saturday. It turned out so cute that I can't wait to get it framed.

Lindsay gave me free reign. She just said, "Make it something he will want to have in his room a long time."

I thought about what I wanted to include and then drew it out on a piece of paper. The M is the one letter that came from the book exactly....well, I did change colors and added a baseball cap to the older boy. As soon as I saw the two boys tossing a ball I knew they would be the one from the pattern.

Did you notice the younger boy's hair is darker? I am guessing that Palmer is going to have darker hair than Tucker:) We will see:)

Then....

I knew it needed a palm tree since I have had always had palm things sprinkled tastefully through my home and my former classroom. Hallie, their Boykin Spaniel is there as she was in Tucker's stitch.

I knew it needed sports - I chose football even though I have no desire for him to play but we love college football in our family. We love baseball and golf. I did my best impression of a Masters' golf flag for the golf piece.

Then Mimi has her space love to pass on.

And then there is where we live with the beach. I knew I wanted to put in the sand dollar as I had done with Tucker's. I just really love sanddollars...always have.

The rest is just a life update and my ramblings...

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Lindsay and Tyler go into the hospital tonight at midnight for Lindsay to be induced. She has struggled with a cold off and on for some time and is feeling awful today. She had planned to work, but ended up not. I think that is wise. I have been furiously getting my ducks in a row since I will be babysitting and also helping. 

I had an allergic reaction to something I ate on Sunday. I had really gotten so much better with the RA and foods in these past few years. Since I had my v@((!n: RA symptoms have kicked in again. I am not against getting it, but it is just what has happened. I have had to tow the strict line and it is not always so easy. I have also felt some fatigue issues come back. I blame some of that on summer heat. I am in a good place in life that I can rest and not have to fight it so much. 

All that to say, I shopped earlier in the week and bought lots of organic fruits and bagged them to freeze so I can have smoothies. There are lots of those prepackaged items in the freezer section but they come from all sorts of places and I felt I could do my own sourced more locally and more economical. I am planning to take of myself so I can take care of others.

You might wonder what I ate at church? I had a meeting after church for some upcoming fall stuff and they had brought in Zaxby's. I have had a reaction a long time ago to their food. I have eaten there since that time and after I got healthy but lately any of the items I had trouble with 7 years ago is back. I think I can get back to the healthy place, but I was so diligent and strict for many years to achieve that place. I have to do it again! I will. 

Grandbabies are motivation.

I have also been so surprised at Miss Oklahoma, the rose I threw in an old pot downstairs. That pot didn't even have fresh potting soil. She is healthier than she ever was in the ground. I think there are several things in play...daily rains, morning sun rather than the brutal afternoon sun of Florida, salty breezes to keep her leaves dried. I haven't had to spray her which was a weekly thing when they were in the ground. She is giving me roses in July of all things. Roses around here are a spring and fall thing.

Look at those healthy leaves.

Little Gus has injured himself and had to have a vet visit yesterday. On Thursday, we swam and jumped to chase sticks in the water for over an hour. Later into the weekend, he became very still and didn't want me to really touch him. I called first thing Monday morning for him to go in after he was only laying in his kennel box. He has tweaked his back and is on two weeks rest. He is being good right now, but I can already tell the medicine is making him feel better so it will be hard later as the days pass. 

All that to say, I realized I wanted him to be a healthy little boy and be right by my side for as long as possible. We are best buds. When he isn't following me, I know something is wrong. 

He is not jumping and is choosing the floor near me rather than on me which is what he usually does. I think I will know he is feeling better when he wants to jump up again. 

I have two more pictures to share after looking really quick at my phone. 

One is an example of my healthy choices that I am having to make, but I got a kick out of my assorted dishes. I will share them with you.

The plate is my everyday dishes picked out when we married. They are called "Ariana"

 by Gorham. They are a perfect example of picking something that is truly you and you won't ever grow tired of them. That pattern is so Sandy!!!

The cup of coffee is a story... I like to drink coffee out of a cup...not a big old mug or Yeti. It drives Jeff nuts when I come out to his truck with a cup of coffee or better yet....the Jeep and try to balance it with Gus along too. Just before I retired I had a teacher friend who passed away and at her service it was mentioned she gave china cups as gifts to young ladies who had a boy because she was a boy mom. She felt it was necessary to have pretty things around with all those boys. I thought to myself ---that is really a lesson to all of us. 

She was my same age and way too young. I decided then and there I was going to use the good stuff and enjoy. 

That cup of coffee is served up in my favorite thing to drink out of ---my china dishes from yes, our wedding pattern. "Lexington" by Lenox. I swannee it tastes better in that cup!

And then there is the organic grape juice in a pig cup that once held Bama brand peach preserves. Those from the south will recognize the brand. Mother brought it over one day because she was cleaning out and said Tucker could drink out of it as his mother had done:)

I am still eating breakfast on the deck as often as I can too ---IN an assortment of dishes:)

If you haven't grown tired of my release of thoughts I will finish this post with a "July on the bayou" picture. IT IS still raining a ton on the Panhandle this summer but one lovely morning about 9:15 the sun was so pretty shining down the bayou and I thought this would be my July picture. 

My little ducks are still hanging out next door on the grass and entertaining Gus and I daily.

I am hoping there will be some little ducklings one morning.

One more thought, I may not respond to any comments for a few days. I have had to put my comment moderation on so it may even take me a day or two to get through them, but you know what I am up to. I will try to post a picture of Palmer soon. 

Some Random Thoughts

A Bunch of Random Thoughts in July....

My geraniums are still happy happy happy in July. 

It has been a weird summer for weather. Rain, rain, and more rain which has kept it somewhat cooler in the mornings. All my flowers and the grass are happy. 

I actually have petunias blooming. They came up in a pot that must have seeded from some old ones. I tried them one year and they were a no go past Memorial Day. The fact that they are thriving is more proof of the odd weather this summer. 

Is hot as blazes coming long into fall??? Hmmm...things to ponder.

I have felt a need to keep all my little flags in my outdoor pots up longer than my usual. I usually take them down after the home flight of the Blue Angels in Pensacola each summer. With the attack on Old Glory I have felt inclined to display mine longer. 

I have found some new country music which I am totally loving. I like them so much that I actually bought some of their songs on iTunes which I haven't done in a long time. I like 80s and 90s country music...think George Strait, Alan Jackson, Alabama, Martina McBride, etc. Well, Paul Allen put me on two guys named Cody Johnson and Randall King. They are my kind of country and can be found on YouTube here and here if you crave some good old country music.

Getting old is a blessing but wow the changes that come can just up and one day surprise you. For instance, I hated my thick hair and bushy eyebrows during my teens, BUT at the rate your hair thins it is a blessing that I had thicker hair and bushy eyebrows. I think thinning hair has something to do with the weird parting my hair has been doing as of late. I had my friend and hair stylist add some more layering the other day which I think helped poof it out some and maybe cover some of those parts that show up in odd places.

I am also getting lots of wrinkles on the neck. I always said you could tell how old ladies were by their hands and their neck. My neck is starting to give my age away.

I am glad to be aging though. That means I am still kicking to enjoy my family. 

I never really shared my toes with you, so if you are not into gross pictures you can stop here because this is the last thing I am sharing today. I will be back soon with a stitching post for Palmer's name. I have a letter and a half to go until a finish is done. 

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I have had to give up open toe shoes. I have toes that are separating. I am sure this is damage from Rheumatoid Arthritis. I had so much pain in my feet back in the day and when I eat poorly that is often a spot it will hit. In fact, if I do gluten my feet will swell. 

The splitting of my toes was gradual at first but has become an eyesore. They don't really hurt and when I need to wear something other than my tennis shoes, Sperrys, or Toms I buddy tape them and it works.

I did go to a doctor at Andrews Institute and they said they could do surgery but it would most likely do it again, so ugly it stays for now.

I had researched it tons ---I have seen it called the Churchill sign- think victory sign in your toes. HaHa. It could also have been brought on from running which believe it or not I did in my younger days. I can't do it anymore even though I would love to. I will have too much joint pain if I try it these days. 

So, close your eyes if you think it will gross you out, but I am sharing because maybe someone else out there has the same problem.

Getting old...now, I know why my grandma wore the shoes she did.

That is all for this random assortment of thoughts today.

Sandy

A Quick Stitching Post

I have been stitching mostly on the new grandson's name. Palmer is arriving this month. He finally got a name and now I am trying to get it stitched. Just like Tucker's name I am using a very very old pattern for the letters but making it a little more 21st century with the choices around each letter.

This was Tucker's stitch.

 

Palmer's name is in progress.

I started in the middle with the M. I wanted to get that one done since I was using the boys from the pattern on that letter. I did add a baseball cap for the older boy and changed the colors, but this is the original pattern. The A is going to be sports stuff, the P is going to have a palm tree and a dog, and the R is going to be a continuation of our area with some beach stuff.

Then I have to stitch him a Christmas ornament and add a P to a Christmas stocking for him.

All that has left many of my stitches that I want to get back to lingering in the sewing room.

When we went to Auburn I knew I couldn't take the name stitch as I am drawing and planning and then going to pick out colors for the letters as I go.

Since it was Independence Day, I grabbed my Let Freedom Ring stitch to work on while there.

I know it doesn't look like I got much done, but I truly did. I feel like I am half way now on this piece but it will be another year before I get it finished. There are going to be a lot of stitches in that building.

The building will stretch all the way across. I have to go back up and catch the tower on the middle page, but other than that the top pages are complete.

That is all I have been able to accomplish. The summer heat is arriving now, so I should have some stitching time in the heat of the day now. I have had a hard time staying inside with the mild summer we have had this year. 

Quick post...

Heading to get my hair done and to the library today.

Sandy

Holiday Weekend Recap

 We went to Auburn for the 4th and I left my computer charger there. I only turned it on once in the time I was there and it needed charging so--- I plugged it in and ---boom...I packed it up on the last day and left it plugged it in. I now can hardly remember anything I would have shared. Am I getting old?

We did have a very nice relaxing time. 

We made a trip to the farmer's market and I put up peas and beans. We have no local market anymore that is really good. I haven't had any fresh peas and beans this summer. Mother would usually go and get fresh stuff from up home, but she hasn't been going either so I was in need of a good vegetable plate. I took some pint sized freezer containers and a good cooler with me and put up about 20 pints. 

I also bought one of the best watermelons I have had in ages and ate almost all of it over two days. 

We went over to Pine Mountain one day and looked at all the antique shops. We really didn't need anything but love to look. We did buy three Life magazines with space themes. I know my mother owned all three since we to Life as a kid in the 60s. If only, I had been old enough to know to keep them. 

We also went to an antique store in Opelika that I love to walk through. There was the most amazing selection of framed prints that were probably all from the 80s and 90s. If I needed prints I would have loaded up. The frames alone are worth the prices. I am going to remember it for when I need to frame one of my larger samplers and go back. 

I had taken fish from our local market with us, so we cooked fish and shrimp for friends up there one night. We sat outside and visited with friends. We had a Darts game competition on two nights.

No video - just a picture...

Jeff took a video of my terrible skills to send the kids. I later decided that I was at least 6 inches shorter than anyone and needed to stand on something so I didn't have to lob it up. I got better. 

I am usually the picture taker so I had Jeff take a picture of me for posterity's sake.

Of course, my sidekick, Gus is always close by. Wouldn't have it any other way.

The next picture is going to make you think Gus has a new brother, but he doesn't...

Meet Blue.

His owner lives three houses down from our home in Auburn. They had a Golden named AJ that I had met many times on walks up there. He was old like Lemony and passed away two weeks before Lemony. They have gotten a new puppy. I went down to meet him and he was so adorable. 

My friends who are living in Huntsville now but have a home in Auburn on the same street lost their lab recently and they are getting a Golden from the same kennel as Blue above. He will be picked up next week. I will now have two Goldens to visit when we go to Auburn. 

I still am teary eyed when I speak of Lemony but am still resolute that now is not the time to add a puppy. I am going to love on these two and GUS of course.

I stitched on Let Freedom Ring while in Auburn. It was the only thing I took with me. I felt it would be fun to work on it over the holiday. I am currently stitching Baby Palmer's name, so that is my lone stitch. It was going to be too hard to take it with me since I am basically creating the pattern as I go as I did with Tucker's name.

I will give a stitching update with pictures soon since I ordered a new charger and it came today.

The trip was just what I needed to be ready for Baby Palmer's arrival. We are getting close. I will close it up with Tucker and his cute 4th of July shirt.

Someone is still refusing to get his haircut. It is getting a bowl shape from Tyler having to do what he can. I pray he grows out of this soon, but he is still cute.

Thankful for my many blessings,

Sandy