The Big Day, and See You Later

Monday, August 18

Today Yarden starts "school", her nursery day care. It's a great facility that Dick and I were fortunate enough to visit earlier this summer -- professional, caring, secure, and all those good things. Aliyah and Seamus are very organized this morning: instructions printed out for the caregivers, clothing and equipment assembled, breast milk bottled and stored. I'm impressed, but surmise they will realize soon enough that not every morning departure will go as smoothly.

I wish I could say that I took a picture of this momentous occasion, but I couldn't. I come undone, although I promised myself I wouldn't.

So I have a suggestion for future farewells for all of us with children/grandchildren who live a distance away. My cousin and his beautiful family, who live in Costa Rica and visit the States frequently, simply say "see you later." It's better than "goodbye", and it's true.

This is the end of the blog. (Sorry, Rosaline, you will have to find another daily distraction). Thanks to Seamus and Aliyah for creating this beautiful child and for sharing her with me for one whole week. It was a chance of a lifetime! And I leave you with one more photo. You should know, Yarden, that Grammy -- and Da, and Bubbe and Grandpa -- will always be there right behind you.

BMw

Sunday, August 17
Today is party day. Seamus' little friend James is having a 7th birthday party in Griffin Park in Pasadena. (This story could get confusing with all the Seamuses and the Jameses). Of course, once Yarden arrives in her cute little outfit and hat, she steals the show. At some point I have to deal with the matter of changing Yarden's diaper. There is no flat surface nearby, but Seamus points out a table way across the field that would be suitable. Just then a delightful lady named Jennifer, who has already oohed and aahed over Yarden, asks if she can help. Her car is parked nearby and in the shade and we could change Yarden's diaper in the front seat. I hesitate for a moment but she says, "What the hell, it's my ex-husband's car." So off we go. Since this car is a very sporty low slung convertible, we decide to use the trunk of the car as the changing table. And that's how Yarden was introduced to a BMw. Kind of gives new meaning to the acronym, don't you think?

Keep on Rollin'

Saturday, August 16

I think I can safely say it's official now - Yarden knows me. She looks me in the eye and smiles directly at me when she awakens. She knows my voice. My laugh scares her (that's all right, it scares Dick too). She knows my scent (Irish Sprung). This is so exciting and yet so heartbreaking (to me, anyhow) because I have only two days left.

So here's some happy news. Yarden officially rolled all the way over today. Not just half way with her arm stuck underneath, but all the way. She didn't like it, but I'll bet she keeps trying.

The Fan Club

Saturday, August 16

Yarden has the undivided attention of both Daddy and Grammy today. Mommy has to continue the shoot and won't be home until late. Seamus and I decide to go out to lunch - it's such a rare treat to spend some down time together. We go to a barbeque place in LA (yum!) and enjoy lunch while Yarden naps in her stroller. When she wakes up she thinks that perhaps she is in heaven. What is that she sees on the ceiling? Not one fan, not two fans, but 12 - count 'em -- 12 fans!!! Good thing she is strapped into that stroller. Otherwise she'd be jumping around doing a jig. Sorry, I didn't get a picture of it.

Trading Spaces

Friday, August 15
Today is a busy day. Aliyah has invited Yarden and me to join her at a shooting location for "Trading Spaces." So first we drive Daddy to work and take his car up to Pepperdine University in Pasadena. We admire the ocean along the Pacific Coast Highway and marvel at how many surfers there are. Yarden thinks that maybe she'll be a surfer girl when she grows up, but then decides against it. She is much too fair skinned and would never tan properly. I sing some Beach Boys tunes to her anyhow.

Yarden is excited to see Mommy, so much so that she solves her constipation problem. Or maybe it was Grammy's freeway driving skills. So a desk in a vacant dorm room becomes a changing table.



Everyone is happy to see Yarden. Here is Paige Davis of Trading Spaces giving her some face time.




Yarden is quite unimpressed with all this equipment and celebrity. She needs her nap, and since Grammy forgot to bring the sling to carry her in, she sleeps in my arms. My right arm is now two inches longer than my left.




I'll try not to lay it on too thick, but I was very impressed with Aliyah's skills as a producer. She makes decisions quickly and clearly, she knows her business, and she has the respect of her coworkers. The Laks/Silversteins should be proud for having raised such a fine young lady.

We head back home and hope that we avoid too much rush hour traffic on the freeway. It really is quite different than driving in Simsbury, but I manage. I think I saw a bottle of Ketel One at the house, and it's starting to look really good to me once we put Yarden to bed.

Oso

If you had to call central casting in search of a junkyard dog, they would send Oso.

Seamus has already blogged about his background -- a rescue dog from the streets of Guatamala with irritable bowel problems. He has a torn ear, a scar on his nose, and six stitches in his side where a growth was recently removed. So it was with some trepidation that I approached this animal. (I know some of you will not believe that last sentence -- moi, who falls in love with almost anything with four feet and a tail). I decided to simply observe the dog's actions, especially around Yarden. And here's what I found out.

Oso is smart. He stays in the enclosed back yard all day. He doesn't bark. He follows the shade and digs holes to keep himself cool.

Oso is loyal and affectionate. He is allowed in the house when Seamus is home, and follows him everywhere. He seems to understand that Yarden is the priority in this house and doesn't try to take attention away from her.

Oso likes a routine. Seamus feeds him, walks him, and cleans up after him every morning and night.



Sometimes Seamus and Yarden find some time to catch up on their reading.

Oso is learning. A dog trainer has donated her time to work with Seamus and integrate Oso into their family life. He is learning to stay down. Perhaps soon he will learn that pushing out the screen in the bedroom window is not an acceptable form of egress. Use the door, please.

So my feelings after one week of life with Oso is to give this dog a chance. He is a survivor with a good personality and some stomach problems. In time I think he will win us all over. And he is still ugly.

Constipation

Thursday, August 14
It's been two days now. It makes her cranky. Aliyah says not to worry - this too shall pass. Babies on breast milk exclusively sometimes use up every bit of it and there is not much waste to be extruded. Still, I worry. Maybe I'll give her another squeeze before bedtime.