Happy New Year 2015

Happy New Year to all.  I hope that 2015 is a year filled with creativity, beauty and inner peacefulness.

World, please meet Charles

After months of agonizing side effects of hyperparathyroidism, my daughter was wheeled into surgery yesterday morning.  For those who have followed my dailies on Smugmug or Facebook, you've seen the shots of hospitals and intravenous and heard about the constant kidney stones. You might remember that she was 34 weeks pregnant.  After a couple of hours waiting and waiting, the surgeons informed her husband and I that the surgery had gone well.  They removed 2 of 4 of her parathyroid glands, but the baby's heart rate wasn't recovering as fast as they would like it too, and a C Section was recommended.  At 11:40 yesterday morning, a little baby boy made his entry into the world, weighing 7 lbs 2 ozs.

He was off to the NICU, where against all odds has proven what a strong little guy he is.  Seven hours later, he was moved to a low risk pod in the NICU. His calcium levels are remaining stable, he has developed a voice and all his little parts are perfect.

The little guy will remain in NICU for a while and his mom is now in a comfortable room, recovering from the two surgeries in one day.

So without any further delay, world, I would like to introduce you to our newest grandson, Charles.

Life for Grandma and Grandpa will return to normal, but a wonderful adventure is just starting for a new family.  To make sure our life is not too normal, we're expecting another grandchild in November, our son and his wife are expecting their second child.

Lafayette Cemetery - A Picture Tour

Words aren't necessary when touring this cemetery in New Orleans.