Welcome to the World, Isaac Vukasinovic - February 9, 2016

Much to my consternation, I didn't make it to Roseville,

California Kaiser Hospital in time to greet my new grandson.  After one false start last week, Alex and Laura decided not to call until Laura was actually admitted to the hospital and, since the Sacramento area is a good two plus hour drive from San Mateo, traffic and weather permitting, I arrived after his debut.  Much to her relief, I'm sure, Laura's labor was pretty brief and sweet Isaac was all swaddled and resting comfortably in his daddy's arms when I arrived.

With both children, Alex and Laura declined to know the sex of their baby in advance.  I was so delighted that their firstborn, Harper, was a girl.  Having given birth to THREE sons, I wanted the delight of having a girl in the family.  This time, I wanted a boy!  How nice of Alex, with his determining chromosome, to accommodate his mother!

Isaac Vukasinovic arrived at 0054 on February 6, 2016.  He 

weighed in at 7 lbs. 15 ounces and was 20-1/2 inches long. 

Both uncles were waiting with me at the Vukasinovic home when the baby arrived.  We had a celebration though Isaac slept through most of it.  His "big" sister, Harper, was clamoring to hold him and, occasionally, with mom carefully supervising, she was allowed to do so.

Uncle Jeremy ( left ), Uncle Shawn ( in his Air Force uniform ) and dad, Alex ( right )

Uncle Jeremy ( who will start his new position in Chicago next week ) with his nephew

Harper LOVES her uncles!

What beautiful smiles from Mommy and Harper!

I wish I weren't living so far away in San Mateo.  I hope I can 

get to Sacramento a few times before my departure to India

on April 13th.  I will fly first to Tampa, with my good friend 

with whom I've been staying.  After a three day visit with

Charlene Payton, my friend of over 45 years, Kris and I will board Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas ( my first cruise in over five years ), for a two week transatlantic crossing which ends up in Barcelona.  After five days there, Kris and I will fly to India.  She will stay with me for six weeks - I am so excited to actually have a friend with me in India.  We'll go to Goa and Jaipur and some other places.  I haven't planned our complete itinerary yet.  She returns to the U. S. mid-June but I'll stay on in India till around the first of November.

By the time I get back home, baby Isaac will be so different. I'm hoping Alex will be better about Skype than he has been in the past!!!

Happy 43rd Birthday, Shawn - December 17, 2013

Well, my dear first born, it seems like we are missing each other on many of
life's important occasions.  You missed Alex and Laura's wedding by about a
week because you were pulling Air Force duty in Germany.  At least, when Harper 
Ann was born, all of us were there, camping out in Laura's "birthing room".  I will, 
forever, cherish that photo of you, Alex, and Jeremy, my three sons, camped out, 
awaiting the arrival of that precious little girl.  

Your two younger brothers tower over you by about six inches but you never let them 

forget who is boss - and, rightly so, since, for much of their lives, you played both

the father, as well as big brother role.  I could not have managed without you.

It's kind of sad that, this year, with me home for Christmas, Uncle Sam has you in

Kuwait!!  Oh, well, that's life.  We will really be missing you at the festivities and 

we are certainly thinking about you today on your 43rd birthday.

I didn't have time to go through storage to find baby pictures of you and, sadly,

in last year's computer demise in India, many that I had were lost.  I found a few

that I am including from recent years here.  You always did say I was death on

computers but I think the last was because of all the summer power outages

during Jaipur's monsoon season.

Even though you've always said you'll never marry and have children - "I've 

already raised two sons ( in reference to Alex and Jeremy ), I think you look quite

fatherly in this short with your niece, Harper.

You may not remember this shot but it was taken a few years ago when Alex was

down and brought the dogs to visit.  You were tormenting Bucky with your guitar

playing.  For some reason, in his opinion, music did NOT soothe the savage beast

and he did not stop barking till you stopped playing.

Just to make you homesick in far away Kuwait, here is a photo from Christmas

2010, before I started making my trips to India ( forty pounds ago!! ) and pre-

Harper.  We'll drink a toast to you this holiday and celebrate when you get back

( though I will probably be in India again - but not for six months this time.

Be safe, son.  I am blessed to have you and your two wonderful brothers.  We are lucky

that Alex chose Laura and now we have the most precious baby in our family.

What a special 43rd birthday for you and a wonderful Christmas for our family.

I love you!!!